Section 1 The Basics
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
The traditional method of storing and
carrying photographic equipment is the camera
bag. Made of a strong woven material and padded
for protection against bumps, most bags have
partitions to hold different-sized items, such as
lenses and camera bodies. Bags vary in size from
small handheld or belt-mounted cases for compact
cameras to very large bags capable of holding
several camera bodies, a selection of lenses, a flash
unit, a light meter, and various accessories.
With the growth in active lifestyles and interest
in nature photography, the photo backpack has
become popular. A backpack allows safe and
comfortable transport of camera gear and other items
while hiking, climbing, skiing, or bicycling. In areas
If one or more dark spots are still visible on
your images after using the blower, the dust is
most likely adhered to the sensor cover. Camera
manufacturers discourage any form of cleaning
other than use of a blower, often warning that
other cleaning methods will void the camera’s
warranty. Manufacturers recommend having the
sensor cleaned by a trained technician. However,
products for cleaning adhered particles from the
sensor are used by many photographers. The
most common is a swab with a very small amount
of a solvent that is carefully rubbed across the
sensor’s cover plate. Single-use individual swabs
are sealed in air-tight packaging.
To identify the need for sensor cleaning or
to check its effectiveness, a special magnifying
viewer can be placed over the camera’s lens
mount opening. This device provides a brightly
lit, magnified view of the sensor to reveal the
presence of dust particles or other debris. See
Figure 2-28.
Camera Storage and
Transportation
If you plan to take photographs at locations
other than your home or studio, you must have
some way to transport your equipment. A
simple compact camera or even an SLR with a
single zoom lens can be hand-carried or slung
around your neck with a camera strap. Most
photographers, however, use a bag or case to
carry and store equipment, Figure 2-29.
Delkin Devices
Figure 2-28. A magnifying device can be used to inspect
the digital camera sensor. This model includes LEDs to
illuminate the sensor and show dust particles.
B A C
Bogen Kata; Bogen; Pelican
Figure 2-29. There are many choices for camera storage and transportation equipment. A—The traditional camera
bag comes in many sizes. B—Backpacks with padded dividers to protect equipment are particularly popular with nature
photographers. C—Hard cases are most often used by professionals who must travel with a large amount of equipment.