How Rough Can I Be With My Camera? The Surprising Answers

Your camera is an investment, especially if you are shooting with a higher end interchangeable lens camera (DSLR). It makes sense that you would want to protect it from damage, but sometimes photographers miss out on great shots for fear of damaging their camera. The reality is that most cameras can handle rougher usage than most photographers subject them to. This guide will help you understand how rough you can be with your camera.

You don’t have to wear gloves like Marilyn, but it’s a good idea to be careful when changing lenses on DSLRs

Ordinary Point and Shoot Cameras: Go Ahead and Experiment

Point and shoots may trend to the inexpensive but modern cameras can handle a lot more wear and tear than their predecessors, especially those from brand name manufacturers. Point and shoots can typically handle the kind of water exposure that comes from rain or very humid days, and can be exposed to mud and dirt relatively safely so long as they are cleaned off promptly. Many point and shoots can even survive repeated drops from six feet and below, and their lower cost usually means replacement is not an issue.

Ruggedized Point and Shoots: Go Wherever You Go

Manufacturers are responding to consumer demand with ruggedized lines of point and shoot and even interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs) that do not quite reach the capabilities of DSLRs. Every camera make and model is different so you should be sure to check the user manual or manufacturer website for what your ruggedized camera can handle, but generally these ruggedized cameras can handle:

• Underwater shooting - The camera housing on ruggedized point and shoots is typically meant to shoot underwater to depths of 10 feet or more. Note that this is not the case for ILCs, since the area where the lens connects to the body is a weak point. Read your camera's manual before subjecting your camera to an underwater photo test.
• Shock and Awe...ok just shock - Shock is usually measured by the height of a fall that these cameras can withstand at least a few times, which could be ten feet or more.
• Weight and pressure - The tougher housing that allows these cameras to withstand water and shock also allows them to handle weight from above that would crack ordinary cameras.

DSLRs and ILCs: How Careful Do You Need to Be to Protect Your Investment?

photo by theblight.net

Though the ruggedness of DSLR cameras varies hugely by manufacturer and the anticipated user level, the majority of DSLRs are not quite as sensitive as you might think. Almost all are equipped with housing meant to repel ordinary water exposure (think a light drizzle to a steady rain that comes on while you are shooting) and the camera is usually able to withstand falls from shoulder height, though the lens might not necessarily survive intact. Most of the danger to DSLRs and ILCs comes from changing lenses in undesirable conditions, including:

• Where the internal housing may be subjected to moisture. Never change lenses in the rain, in a drizzle, or in other conditions that might allow water or other liquid into the housing.
• Where rapid temperature changes may occur. The sensitive internal components of DSLRs and ILCs are not usually meant to handle rapid temperature changes. So if for example you have been shooting outdoors on a day close to freezing and the internal parts of your camera have warmed and are then subjected to freezing temperatures as you change the lens, you not only have to worry about moisture accumulation but temperature-related warping as well.
• Where dust, grit, or dirt may enter the housing or the lens. Whenever you change the lenses on your DSLR or ILC, perform the change in as clean and protected an area as possible. If you absolutely must change the lens, try changing it within a clean backpack or bag to keep components free of dirt. Most professional DSLR cameras are amazingly dust resistant...as long as you keep the lens attached to the body you have a good chance of coming out of a dust storm with a working camera.

Few cameras are built to withstand the kinds of conditions one might expect on, say, an unguided African safari, but most cameras from point and shoots to DSLRs can handle rougher usage than you might think. Check with your manufacturer or trusted camera expert to see if you might be missing out on shots that your camera could actually handle with ease.

Photo by iggzbeealidoshus via Flickr