Camera enemies

Water and electrical components aren’t good bedfellows, so a waterproof cover, Ziploc bag or even a simple plastic carrier bag can help keep a tripod-mounted camera dry in a downpour. Salt water can be a camera killer; when shooting at the coast, keep microfibre cloths handy and wipe the camera and lens down regularly. When you return home, use a cloth very lightly moistened with fresh water to remove any salty and oily residues from the plastic bodywork before using a clean, dry microfibre cloth to finish off.

If your camera’s been exposed to cold conditions, wrap it tightly in a plastic bag before returning to a warm environment; this way condensation will form on the outside of the bag, not the camera. In very hot conditions, avoid leaving the camera to bake in a car, and don’t use Live View for prolonged periods when the camera is fitted with a long lens pointed directly toward the sun.