Imaging for Good
Why it matters who's behind the lens
Imaging for Good
Workshops that make a difference
Workshops that make a difference by Dominik Szeląg
Spring is in the air. The sun is emerging, and cherry blossoms are in full bloom. It’s tempting to spend a few extra minutes taking it all in, as you go for your daily walk. As the scent of pollen fills the air and you pack your winter jacket firmly away, can you feel the spring clean itch looming?
There are few rites of spring more satisfying than giving your home or treasured possessions a much needed deep clean, however, it's only once the hard graft is over when the results can be fully savoured. As well as your home, your camera and video equipment may also be crying out for a much needed clean. And let’s not forget your printer.
Whether you are an amateur, enthusiast or professional photographer or filmmaker, regardless of how careful you are, germs, dust, debris and wear is inevitable and will find its way to your equipment. To keep your imaging equipment in peak performance, we wanted to provide you with some helpful tips for disinfecting and cleaning your Canon equipment.
Young People programme student sorting through photos
Tips for cleaning and disinfecting your Canon camera, lenses and video equipment
- Wear disposable gloves when cleaning or disinfecting surfaces
- Turn the device off, remove the battery and unplug before cleaning commences
- Moisten a soft clean cloth with a mix of 70% to 80% diluted ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to help sanitize and clean your Canon products. Lint-free or microfiber cloths are recommended
- Do not use your diluted ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to clean image sensors or coated lens surfaces
- Take care to prevent moisture from entering inside the device or between gaps around the control panel or buttons
- Do not spray harsh cleaning liquids directly onto your device - Instead, spray the cleaning agent onto a lint-free or microfiber cloth and then wipe the exterior surfaces
- Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners on lenses or filters. Ammonia could cause fogging with acrylic, styrene and some coatings
- Disinfectant entering the product may result in extensive damage or failure due to corrosion
- When cleaning a touch-screen or control panel, carefully wipe from top to bottom and in one direction
- Ensure hard surfaces have air-dried before turning the device on after cleaning
- Discard gloves and wash hands afterwards
As a measure to disinfect your equipment, we suggest using alcohol to clean the exterior of camera bodies, lenses and video equipment, especially areas that are frequently touched, such as grips, dials, buttons or touch screens. In addition, do not use ethanol to clean image sensors or lens surfaces that have coating applied to them. As is mentioned in the Canon user manuals, do not use cleaners that contain organic solvents, such as paint thinner or benzine to clean cameras and lenses, as it could cause a fire or harm health.
This advice describes standard sanitisation as a measure to prevent possible infection but is not recommended as the usual cleaning method for the purpose of product maintenance. Please note, alcohol for sterilisation commonly contain ethanol or isopropyl. As an alternative, the use of household bacterial wipes containing 60% alcohol or higher can also be highly effective. As with washing hands or using a hand sanitiser, cleaning cameras, printers or video equipment should be a regular occurrence, however, care taken during the cleaning process is a pre-requisite.
Tips for cleaning and disinfecting your Canon printer or scanner
- To sanitise your Canon printer or scanner, clean all parts touched with the hands such as exterior operation panels and buttons, touch screen, scanner cover and platen glass
- Turn the device off and unplug it from the power source (remove battery for mobile printers) before cleaning. Wait until surfaces are dry before powering the device back on
- Use a pre-moistened cloth or wet a soft cloth with 70% to 80% diluted ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to help sanitise and clean your printer or scanner
- Refrain from spraying cleaning agent directly on the product. Instead, spray the cleaning agent onto a lint-free or microfiber cloth and then wipe the exterior surfaces
- Use glass cleaner only on the platen glass surface, then wipe with a lint-free cloth
- Do not use cleaners which contain harsh solvents, such as paint thinners or benzene to clean Canon printers or scanners
For more information about Canon’s check & clean service please visit: www.canon-europe.com/pro/services
Disclaimer:
Depending on the type of alcohol or wiping method used, the printer exterior may be discoloured or lose colour, however, the printer function will not be affected.
These cleaning guidelines do not guarantee effectiveness against coronavirus. The effectiveness of alcohol-based cleaners should be checked with the manufacturer of the cleaner.
Young People Programm participants with UN SDG goals
UN SDG Goal 5: Of particular concern for a group of young people about to enter the job market was gender inequality surrounding recruitment and the employment process. To change the situation, they first wanted to raise the profile of the problem.
UN SDG Goal 12: Recycling was chosen as a problem that relates most commonly to their local communities and their daily lives. The participants focusing on recycling wanted to raise and show their concern over the rising cost of waste management and about the lack of information available about the difficulties in what and how to recycle different plastics.
One of Poland’s leading CSR focused organisations, the Responsible Business Forum, recently recognised the benefits of this project, listing the Young People Programme as one of the 51 most significant business education initiatives in the country.
Although eight hours is far from enough to learn how to create professional material, but just enough time to give an insight to the thoughts of young people and the issues they experience in their own environment through their eyes. Moreover, it reveals what touches and moves them. When you’re young, having your voice heard provides an inspirational purpose. With a little support from professionals, their compassion for the world and how they see it can be turned into a visual expression. After all, this is the generation that will be looking after our planet tomorrow.