The first thing to do is to purchase a sturdy camera bag. Be sure it is roomy enough to hold all your supplies, including your batteries and camera accessories. Many manufacturers of camera bags now make them to fit digital cameras. Although digital camera bags are smaller in size, they offer the same high quality materials as 35mm camera bags. When storing your camera, use your camera bag to protect it from bumps, dust, heat, and humidity. Remove the batteries before storing it. Never put your camera near strong magnetic fields, such as those found in electric motors. If you do, your image data may sustain damage.
Put together a cleaning kit and keep it nearby so you can clean off the inevitable finger smudges, dust, and grit that will settle on your camera and accessories. Your kit can be simply a package of lens tissues, or you may want to invest in some micro fiber cloths, a lens brush, and cleaning solution.
Whatever you do, do not attempt to use paper tissues or paper towels to clean your camera lenses. They can seriously scratch your equipment. Always use specially made lens tissues or micro fiber cloths.
When shooting in a wet or dusty place. Put your camera inside a plastic sandwich bag in which you have put a small hole for the camera lens. Use a rubber band to seal the opening. The bag will keep moisture and grime out of your camera.
Although your digital camera can tolerate slightly more heat than 35mm cameras, you should still protect it from high temperatures. Never leave your camera in a hot car. A hot car parked in the sun will turn into an oven, and you may come back to find your camera baked beyond repair. At the beach, a plastic bag will protect it from sand and salty air. Covering it with a light colored cloth will reflect the sunlight. Once indoors, never place your camera near radiators or other heat sources. If your camera is exposes to direct sunlight, let it cool down again before using it.
Cold can also cripple your camera. When shooting outside in cold temps, place your camera underneath your coat to protect it from the elements. Remember that batteries will weaken in the cold so you may want to take extras along with you.
When bringing your camera inside after being exposes to the cold, protect it from condensation by wrapping it in a plastic bag or towel until it attains room temperature. If condensation does occur, do not take it back out into the cold, or the condensation can freeze up its operation. Take out the batteries and the memory cads and leave the camera open until everything has dried out.
Treat your camera with a little TLC and it will provide you with enjoyment for years to come.
