Cameras & vacation

Vacation season is almost upon us. Now is the time to get your camera out of the closet and prepare it for summer. Hopefully you removed the battery before storing. A fresh battery is a must before expecting your camera to properly work. Take a soft brush and remove any dust, if you see dust on the lens it is probably a good idea to have it cleaned. Most canned air has enough propellent in it to mess up your lens. Now is also a good time to brush up on your photographic skills. Reading the manuel may mean getting that special shot. You'll feel bad miissing that once in a lifetime shot because you were fumbling with your camera. Putting a A1 or uv filter on the lens will protect it from dust, sand, rain etc and may improve the picture. If you get the camera wet, dry it off with a soft, lint free cloth then set it out in the open to dry. DO NOT USE AIR. Try not to drop your camera in sand because the repair bill may be more than the is worth. A good camera bag can protect your equipment from most damage. A sturdy tripod is nice to have unless you are hiking. There are sturdy and light tripods but they are expensive. Digital cameras are fun to use but to get the maximum out of them can be harder than film cameras. Have fun.