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15. Camera Care
General Information
15.1.
When maintaining and cleaning the camera
and accessories, pay careful attention
to the following notes and tips:
Camera and accessories should be placed on
•
a stable, flat and clean surface that is covered
with foam material or clean, lint-free cloth.
For cleaning, it is recommended to use soft, lint-
•
free cloths and swabs. Also suitable are special
cleaning tissues and small sponges as used for
cleaning computers and video equipment.
Under no circumstances use acetone or nitro-
thinner! These chemicals dissolve paint and
damage highly polished surfaces.
Disconnect the camera from the power supply
and other connecting cables whenever power or
signal connections are not required.
Working on the imager and attaching or
detaching electronic accessories has to be
carried out on a static-free workstation.
15.2. Imager Check
A film camera exchanges its “sensor” – i.e. the piece of
film negative holding a frame – after a single exposure.
The sensor of a digital camera is used for countless
exposures and generally remains in its place unless it
is damaged and replaced. It is therefore recommended
to perform an imager check prior to or at the end of
each day of shooting to ensure the camera’s imager
has not taken any mechanical or electrical damage.
Imager Surface
The camera's sensor and optical filters are located
behind a protective cover glass (filter). This cover glass
can be replaced in case it is damaged. Nevertheless,
opening the lens compartment should always be done
with care to avoid mechanical damage to the mirror
shutter, the sensor cover glass and the sensor.
Before removing a lens, always make sure to
stop the mirror shutter. This prevents damage to
the shutter when a inappropriate lens (e.g. 16
format lens) is inserted by mistake. The shutter
in "finder-open" position acts also as a protective
cover to the imager.
Mechanical Damage to Imager Surface
If the cover glass of the sensor has been scratched or
punctured, it can be replaced by an ARRI service center.