Cleaning camera after using near salt water/ocean spray at DVinfo.net

Morgan Crossley · September 2nd, 2009, 08:09 AM

I shot with my canon a great deal over the weekend on the water and on the beach shooting surfing footage. There was definitely sea spray that was flying around and I was wondering what the best way to wipe my camera down would be to clean it up?

It didn't get wet, but it was in a salty environment for an extended period of time. Just want to keep it in good working order.

Thanks.

Alan R. Moore · September 2nd, 2009, 09:55 AM

A wipe down with a damp clean cloth and a lens cloth for what should be a filter over the lens.
I do some filming at sea. The outside is not the real problem, its the inside that worries me. What I do is go over the whole camera with the vacuum cleaner close to all the apertures rotating rings and switches to suck out the tiny salt crystals that will be finding there way into the insides. When dry these make wonderful little grinding particles. When damp (cold camera in hot humid conditions) they will combine again with moisture and instantly start to corrode those expensive mechanical and electronic parts. Even with the camera covered the circulation of what seems to be spray free air will still contain some salt particles.

Alan.

Allan Black · September 2nd, 2009, 06:15 PM

We Allans think alike I concur exactly :) In fact if you don't wipe it down within an hour, the crystals dry out and stick. Carry a damp chamois and a dust bug with a 12volt plug in the car...and use it.

It's the same working on the coast with the wind blowing in your direction. I shoot in those areas often .. but mainly to keep the dust out, I've taped up all the open ports with black low tack Cling brand tape. Cover the open XLR connectors, 48volt, zoom selector ports, all of them. I keep a pop filter or windsock over the external mic and wash it out regularly.

I've drilled a hole for the phones in the rear tab and taped that up too. Carry a large plastic garbage bag and throw it over the rig in downtime. A white one absorbs less heat.

Change tapes indoors even if you have time left on the current tape, outdoors in the wind causes tape dropouts when dust gets in the transport .. salt aarrrgh!

Same type procedure with the tripod. Groan I've just bought a new release Miller Compass tripod from the second production run, more cleaning more often I guess.

Cheers.

September 2nd, 2009, 08:09 AM	#1
Morgan Crossley Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 113	Cleaning camera after using near salt water/ocean spray I shot with my canon a great deal over the weekend on the water and on the beach shooting surfing footage. There was definitely sea spray that was flying around and I was wondering what the best way to wipe my camera down would be to clean it up? It didn't get wet, but it was in a salty environment for an extended period of time. Just want to keep it in good working order. Thanks.

September 2nd, 2009, 06:15 PM	#3
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	We Allans think alike I concur exactly :) In fact if you don't wipe it down within an hour, the crystals dry out and stick. Carry a damp chamois and a dust bug with a 12volt plug in the car...and use it. It's the same working on the coast with the wind blowing in your direction. I shoot in those areas often .. but mainly to keep the dust out, I've taped up all the open ports with black low tack Cling brand tape. Cover the open XLR connectors, 48volt, zoom selector ports, all of them. I keep a pop filter or windsock over the external mic and wash it out regularly. I've drilled a hole for the phones in the rear tab and taped that up too. Carry a large plastic garbage bag and throw it over the rig in downtime. A white one absorbs less heat. Change tapes indoors even if you have time left on the current tape, outdoors in the wind causes tape dropouts when dust gets in the transport .. salt aarrrgh! Same type procedure with the tripod. Groan I've just bought a new release Miller Compass tripod from the second production run, more cleaning more often I guess. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

September 2nd, 2009, 09:55 AM	#2
Alan R. Moore New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sutton Coldfield UK Posts: 17	A wipe down with a damp clean cloth and a lens cloth for what should be a filter over the lens. I do some filming at sea. The outside is not the real problem, its the inside that worries me. What I do is go over the whole camera with the vacuum cleaner close to all the apertures rotating rings and switches to suck out the tiny salt crystals that will be finding there way into the insides. When dry these make wonderful little grinding particles. When damp (cold camera in hot humid conditions) they will combine again with moisture and instantly start to corrode those expensive mechanical and electronic parts. Even with the camera covered the circulation of what seems to be spray free air will still contain some salt particles. Alan.