As a videographer, you know how important it is to have reliable and functional video gear. But do you know how to take good care of your equipment and accessories? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on how to clean, store, and protect your video gear from dust, moisture, and damage.
One of the most essential parts of your video gear is your lenses and filters. They are also the most exposed to dirt, fingerprints, and smudges. To avoid compromising your image quality and damaging your optics, you should clean them regularly and gently. Use a soft microfiber cloth or a lens cleaning kit to wipe away any dust or debris. Avoid using paper towels, tissues, or saliva, as they can scratch or leave residues on your lenses and filters. If you need to use a liquid cleaner, apply it to the cloth, not directly to the lens or filter.
Use protective cases and bags Invest in high-quality protective cases, bags, and covers for your gear. These will shield your equipment from dust, moisture, and physical damage during transport and storage.
Clean Regularly: Use a soft brush or air blower to remove dust and debris. Use a microfiber cloth for lenses and screens. Use Lens Caps and Filters: Protect lenses with caps when not in use. Consider using UV or protective filters. Handle with Care: Avoid dropping or banging your gear. Use a strap to prevent accidents. Keep Moisture Away: Use silica gel packs to prevent moisture buildup. Battery Care: Charge and store batteries correctly to prolong their life. Clean Sensor Safely: If needed, have the camera's sensor cleaned by a professional. Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic check-ups with a camera technician Protect from Extreme Conditions: Avoid extreme temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight.
?? Importance of cleaning : Lenses and filters impact image quality and are prone to dirt, fingerprints, and smudges. ?? Cleaning Steps: 1. Use Soft Microfiber Cloth: Gently wipe away dust and debris. 2. Avoid Paper Towels or Tissues: Prevent scratching or residue. 3. Please No Saliva!: Saliva can harm lenses; refrain from using it. 4. Liquid Cleaner Application: Apply to the cloth, not directly on the lens or filter. 5. Regular Maintenance: Ensure consistent, quality footage by cleaning lenses and filters regularly. Protects optics from potential damage and maintains optimal performance.
Es increíble la cantidad de videógrafos y fotógrafos que subestiman lo primero que deben cuidar: lo que está mas cerca de tu sujeto, ?los filtros! y lo peor es que no gastan 10$ en una toalla de microfibra para limpiar un filtro de 200$ en un lente de 2000$. Empieza por lo básico: compra una o dos o tres toallas de microfibra.
Another way to care for your video gear is to store it properly when not in use. Moisture, heat, and sunlight can cause corrosion, fungus, and warping of your equipment and accessories. To prevent this, you should keep your gear in a dry and cool place, preferably in a padded case or bag. You can also use silica gel packets or dehumidifiers to absorb any excess moisture in your storage area. Avoid leaving your gear in your car, especially in extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Gear should not be stored in the car anyway, they can easily attract unwanted attention from thieves. Also, allow all gear, but especially electronic, some time to adapt to the location temperature before use. More care when bringing gear from a very cold environment (truck during winter for example) to a warm location, that can cause condensation and cracks inside electronics.
Just one solution to all the problems: Have a seperate room or office and try not to let everyone in. At least do not leave your gears out in open. If you can please store after every session you use them after your work, make it a routine. My 7 dollars tripod is still intact after 5 years becasue I don't let everyone use it so easily just keep it hidden.
Todo va a depender de tu presupuesto: si tienes poco dinero, guarda tus equipos en una caja con bolsas de silica gel para que absorban la humedad tan peligrosa para nuestros juguetes. Si tienes algo más de dinero, usa un case tipo pelican e igualmente coloca bolsas de silica. Si ya tienes un presupuesto alto, invierte en comprar una cámara deshumidificadora de humedad y temperatura controlada. Son perfectas para nuestros equipos y será una inversión que se pagará muy bien.
Your video gear is also vulnerable to shocks and impacts, which can cause dents, cracks, or malfunctions. To protect your gear from accidental drops or bumps, you should always use a strap or a tripod when shooting. You should also use protective covers or cases for your camera body, lenses, and accessories, especially when traveling or moving around. If you need to pack your gear in a suitcase or a backpack, use dividers or foam inserts to cushion and separate your items. Never stack or cram your gear together, as this can cause pressure and damage.
Los estuches pelican son el estándar en la industria para proteger los equipos contra golpes durante los traslados, pero si no posees el presupuesto para comprar uno de esos, te recomiendo que empieces por comprar una mochila acolchada para fotógrafos. Normalmente éstas son configurables por dentro para poder acomodar los diferentes equipos y su valor empieza en unos 50$. Y en el intermedio puedes comprar cajas de herramientas y bloques de espuma para que recortes la silueta de tus equipos y que calcen de manera segura dentro de las cajas.
Your video gear also depends on your batteries and memory cards for power and storage. To ensure their longevity and performance, you should maintain them properly as well. For your batteries, you should charge them fully before using them, and avoid draining them completely or overcharging them. You should also keep them in a cool place, away from heat sources or metal objects. For your memory cards, you should format them before using them, and transfer your files regularly to avoid losing or corrupting your data. You should also use a card reader or a cable to connect your card to your computer, rather than inserting it directly.
It's a simple yet essential practice to keep batteries out of gadgets when they're not in use and store them in a cool and dry place. Battery life can be shortened by heat and moisture, and even leaks can cause damage to your gear. . The handling and storage of memory cards is a crucial aspect of equipment care. Card readers and protective cases have a significant role to play in this regard. By using a card reader, Card readers expedite data transfer, protect, camera ports, and extend device's lifespan by reducing wear and tear during memory card handling. Additionally, protective cases keep your cards safe from dust, moisture, and physical damage.
Batteries should receive constant care, never be stored in a drained state for too long, as chemicals inside will start to degrade faster than the usual life of that battery.
?? Battery Maintenance: 1. Full Charge: Charge batteries fully before use. 2. Avoid Extremes: Avoid complete draining or overcharging. 3. Storage: Keep in a cool place, away from heat or metal objects. ?? Memory Card Maintenance: 1. Format Before Use: Format cards before usage. 2. Regular File Transfer: Transfer files regularly to prevent loss or corruption. 3. Use Card Reader or Cable: Connect to the computer via reader or cable; avoid direct insertion. 4. Regular Checks: Ensure batteries and memory cards are in good condition for uninterrupted shooting. Prevents data loss and hardware malfunctions.
Nunca almacenes memorias llenas, solo para empezar a nivel de organización, crea la rutina de terminar un trabajo, respaldar y formatear. Así no cometes el error de que tengas dos días seguidos de trabajo, vayas a empezar, formatees y pierdas la información de tu jornada anterior. Respecto a las baterías, es de suma importancia que nunca las guardes dentro de los equipos ya que si llegan a tener una fuga podrían da?ar tu cámara o drone, y el final es mucho mejor perder una batería que un cuerpo de cámara.
The last tip on how to care for your video gear is to update your firmware and software regularly. Firmware and software updates can improve your camera's performance, fix bugs, and add new features. To update your firmware, you should check your camera's manufacturer website for the latest version, download it to your memory card, and follow the instructions on how to install it on your camera. To update your software, you should check your editing program's website or app store for the latest version, download it to your computer, and follow the instructions on how to install it on your system.
Do not update firmware right before a shoot! If the new firmware has bugs or changes some functionality in a way you are not used to, you should defer updates until after everything is wrapped.
Actualiza el firmware de tus equipos solamente después de algunas semanas o meses que haya salido al público. Permítele a otros usuarios que sean ellos los testers de posibles bugs y no tú. Esto es algo que aprendimos por las malas ya que a veces al actualizar una cámara o un drone pierdes funcionalidades de las que dependías antes de realizar un trabajo.
To care for your video gear, keep it clean and protected in cases or bags, use lens filters for protection, store it in a dry place, charge batteries before they fully deplete, clean your camera's sensor as needed, inspect for wear and tear, handle it gently, and consider equipment insurance. Regular maintenance, like lubricating tripods and updating firmware, ensures optimal performance and longevity for your gear.
A key point missing from this article is that one of the most effective video tools of today is our phones. The latest iPhone is able to record stunning video in 4K and it is already in the best format to be uploaded to social media with. The best part is - no memory cards as everything is on the cloud, and portable chargers means you can record video's for an entire day without worrying about battery life.
Sean, That might be good for some B-Rolls but the IPhone will not cut it when it comes to providing a Live Feed to a Broadcast news station or network. These entities have specific data inputs that can only be supplied by the use of devices such as LiveU paks or TVU Pack. In addition, photographers like me need to have controls that only Certain cameras can provide and allow the photographer to program the color settings to exactly to what the Station or News Network requires.