Every non-living object available in the market needs to be cleaned and maintained. If you have a car or a bike, then you need to keep it clean as well as take it for servicing once in a while. The same goes for DSLR cameras, as cleaning and maintaining a camera, especially a lens, is crucial for clear and sharp photographs. Your lens can be exposed to dust, scratches, moisture, extreme temperatures, sand and salt, fungus, chemicals, etc.
Cleaning and maintaining a camera lens can be difficult for many reasons. One of the main reasons can be that the lens is too expensive, so you are afraid to touch it. Secondly, you don’t have a proper idea of how to clean a lens.
So, don’t worry; in this article, we’ll be telling you everything about how to clean your Nikon Z6II lenses.
Tools Required to Clean the Lens of Your Nikon Z6 II
1. Air Blower
You cannot just blow directly onto the Nikon Z6II lenses as it harms your lens. So, a safer way to get rid of the dust is with the help of a manual air blower.
2. Flat Blower Brush
This is a soft-bristled brush made out of camel or goat hair, which protects your camera lenses from getting scratched.
3. Microfibre Cloth
If you are someone who wears spectacles or shades, then you must know what microfibre cloth is. Another thing you need to make sure of is the microfibre cloth is for one-time use only. If you reuse it, then you’ll just put the dirt back on the lens.
4. Cleaning Liquid
A cleaning liquid helps you get rid of fingerprints, so all you have to do is put a drop or two on the microfibre cloth and clean it properly.
What are the Steps to Clean a Camera Lens?
- Blow away dust: The first step is to use the air blower gently to blow away the dust and debris from the lens surface. This will help you lose the dust particles without the risk of scratching the lens.
- Use the brush: If the blower doesn’t get the job done in removing the dust particles, then use the flat blower brush to brush away the remaining particles. And remember to avoid touching the brush hair with your hands to prevent transferring oils to the lens.
- Apply Cleaning Solution: Add one or two drops to the microfibre cloth and clean the outer parts. Slowly shift to the lens by wiping it in a circular motion and reaching the center.
Tips to Avoid Your Camera Lens from Dust
- Keep your lens cap on. Whenever you are not using your DSLR, then don’t forget to keep the camera lens on.
- Air your gear out: Allow your lens and your gear to breathe after it has been exposed to a humid and dusty environment. This helps prevent moisture buildup and allows accumulated dust to settle before storing the equipment.
- Be careful in changing the lens: It exposes the camera sensor to the environment, making it vulnerable to dust. So, make sure to change your lens in a clean and controlled environment that minimizes the chances of dust entering the camera.
- Use a UV Filter: Add a UV filter to your lens, providing an extra layer of protection against dust and scratches.
- Keep your camera attached to your body: Whenever you are carrying your camera, make sure to use a strap or harness to keep it attached to your body. This reduces the chance of accidentally dropping it and minimizes the risk of dust containment.
Things You Should Avoid Doing with The Camera Lens
People usually buy a DSLR without knowing how to maintain it properly. So, their small actions affect the quality of the camera and its lens. So, if you are someone who wants some knowledge of the things you shouldn’t do, then let me help you.
- Avoid breath and saliva: Avoid blowing on the lens using your breath and saliva, which can introduce moisture and lead to condensation. This can eventually damage the lens and will affect the quality of the photograph you click.
- Skip harsh materials: Avoid using harsh materials, rough clothes, etc., to clean the lens. This will scratch the lens rather than using a microfiber cloth, which I mentioned earlier.
- Never-over clean: Avoid overcleaning your lens, which can increase the risk of scratching it. Follow a regular cleaning schedule based on your usage and the environment you’re shooting in.
- Avoid excessive pressure: Whenever you use a microfiber cloth and flat blower brush, avoid applying excessive pressure. Gentle and consistent motions are key to effective cleaning without causing damage.
Conclusion
The lens of any camera is a very important piece, and it needs to be dealt with and maintained carefully and delicately. Without full information, you should never handle it; rather, research properly or ask a professional before cleaning it.
In this article, we discussed everything you need to maintain and clean the lens of a Nikon Z6 II. We told you about the required tools, the steps to follow, tips to protect the camera from dust, and the things you need to avoid while maintaining a camera lens.
So, if you are a newbie in the photography world, we really hope this article helps you.
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