Summer is hot, and during a heatwave, things start to go wrong. Looking after your camera is really important. Make sure your camera is kept safe during high temperatures with this helpful guide!
Disclaimer: your film being exposed to heat for short periods isn't the end of the world, and a one or two day heatwave isn't going to affect your gear.
Heat can not only affect your camera, but the heat can also affect your rolls of film inside the camera.
How do I keep my camera safe in a heatwave?
1. Store your camera in a camera bag.
You may be tempted to keep your camera out as much as possible so that the wind is blowing on it, but actually, inside a camera bag is probably cooler. Make sure you aren't leaving the bag in the sun, however.
2. Don't leave it in the sun.
Especially if your camera is black! Make sure you don't leave your camera baking in the sun. You can use it, of course, but don't forget about it and leave it somewhere it is just absorbing lots of sun.
3. Take your batteries out when not using it.
Heat can make your batteries expand. I don't know exactly what temperature it has to be for this to happen, but if your camera is getting hot, I would advise taking the batteries out. If they start to expand within your camera, you may not be able to get them out, or they may explode.
How do I keep my film safe in the heat?
1. Keep your film in the fridge.
People always talk about keeping your film in the fridge. Well, there is not better time to do this than in a heatwave. Film should be kept at a constant temperature, and one of the only places that remains constant is in a fridge.
2. Don't leave it in a hot bag or hot car.
This is just common sense. And it also applies if your film is inside a camera. Make sure that where your camera is, is cool enough for your film to be kept safe too.
3. Don't load your film in direct sunlight.
This is a general rule anyway, although I always disobey it. Just take extra care when loading your film and it is super hot.
We hope this article helps you to keep your camera cool and your film safe!
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Article written by: Max
Max is the owner of Cameras By Max. They work full-time repairing and refurbishing all the 35mm film cameras you see on the website. Their favourite camera (at the moment) is the Olympus XA, and their favourite city in the world is Edinburgh.
