58
Good camera care
is
common-sense care. Treat
your Nikomat
ELW
as
you would any valuable
precision instrument. Although ruggedly construc-
ted to stand the rigors
of
normal use, it may still
be
damaged by shock, heat, water
or
misuse. Here
are some basic tips for keeping your camera
in
top
condition:
Extreme temperature
changes
The Nikomat
ELW
functions fau!tlessly
in
a
temperature range
of
55° to -15°
C.
Even
within
this range however, avoid suddenly exposing the
camera to temperature extremes-
i.e.
, taking it
from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors or
vice versa. The sudden, extreme temperature
change
is
apt
to form deposits
of
atmospheric
moisture such
as
sweat beads or frost on the sur-
faces
of
the camera body (much like pipes sweat-
ing
on a
hot
summer day
or
winter frost accumu-
lating on the inside
of
a window during the dead
of
winter) which
will
develop into rust and damage
the camera's tiny components and electrical con-
tacts. A good precautionary measure
is
to pack
the camera
in
a moisture-proof
bag
or a poly-
ethylene bag, along with a silica
gel
dessicator-
and unpack only when the temperature inside
the
bag
has risen or fallen to the ambient level.
Storage
Keep
the camera
in
an
eveready or compartment
case when not
in
use
to protect it from dust.
Avoid storing the camera
in
excessively hot, co
ld
or damp places. Always attach a body cap when
the camera body
is
stored separately.
Do
not
leave
film
in
the camera for a long period
of
time. Never
leave the shutter or self-timer cocked if the camera
is
to
be
stored overnight or longer .
Camera body
Clean the inside
of
the camera periodically using
a soft brush .
Do
not exert pressure on the shutter
curtain
as
this may damage the curtain. Keep the
mirror free from fingerprints and dust; it should
be
cleaned only
by
a qualified serviceman . Special
care must also
be
taken when changing batteries to
avoid damaging the battery chamber and other
parts
of
the mirror box.
Keep the camera away from water
Avoid excessive moisture.
When
using the camera
near water, guard against splashes, especially salt-
water spray.
Never oil any part
of
the camera
Lubrication should
be
left to
an
authorized ser-
viceman.