How to keep your camera safe when using sunscreen and bug spray
Summertime is ripe with photographic opportunities thanks to longer days and warmer weather. Many of us flock to the outdoors this time of year, whether to capture landscapes, document weddings or photograph animals. But with this extra time outside with our cameras comes added risk to our gear due to chemicals found in bug spray and sunscreen. While those products may be essential for protecting your body, they can damage your expensive gear. If you'll be lathering up with sunscreen or bug spray this summer, here are some things to remember.
Impacts of DEET bug spray Photo: Lokibaho / iStock Unreleased via Getty ImagesMany bug sprays use DEET to keep pesky (and potentially dangerous) pests away. While that's sometimes necessary to stay safe, DEET is a plasticizer. That means it can soften, deform or even dissolve certain plastics and rubber, especially if you're using a high-concentration version of it.
Of course, cameras and lenses are largely made up of plastics and rubber, so exposing your gear to DEET-based bug spray can result in deterioration of your gear. Damage from DEET could simply take the form of dissolved labels on buttons and markings on your lenses. But it could be far more substantial, potentially melting parts of your camera or lens body.
Even a small amount of DEET on your hands could be enough to have an impact. To keep your gear safe, don't spray bug spray anywhere near cameras or lenses. It's best to keep the camera in your bag or the car until you're done applying. If you get DEET bug spray on your hands, wash them off as well as you can before handling your camera. Also, if you use the viewfinder, make sure you don't get any DEET on your face.
Even a small amount of DEET on your hands could be enough to have an impact.If DEET bug repellent gets on your camera, make sure to act quickly. The sooner you clean it off, the less damage there will be. Don't use a dry cloth to wipe it off, either, as that could spread the chemical and potentially push it into seams or textured surfaces, causing more damage. Instead, lightly dampen a clean cloth and gently blot to remove the DEET. Use a fresh corner of the fabric for different parts of the camera to avoid spreading it.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can avoid DEET altogether by using a Picaridin-based bug spray – research has found that it doesn't damage plastics – or by wearing clothing treated with Permethrin. While both chemicals (and DEET) have been proven to be safe for use on humans, we couldn't find any conclusive studies about their safety for pets, so it's worth exercising some caution when using these products around cats or dogs. Always read the safety label for whatever insect repellent you're using.
Take care with sunscreen, too Photo: Oscar Wong / Moment via Getty ImagesWhile sunscreen isn't as harmful as DEET, it isn't very kind to cameras, either. Some chemicals found in certain sunscreens may potentially interact with plastics, causing them to degrade faster, though there is limited research on the subject. However, all sunscreens can cause discoloration and leave residue. Plus, it can make things downright slippery, which isn't ideal when working with expensive gear. And that greasy residue on your lens won't be great for image quality if it's on your lens.
As with bug repellent, it's best to apply sunscreen well away from your camera. That's especially true of aerosol sunscreens, which go everywhere. Once you're done applying, be sure to wash your hands, ideally with soapy water or hand sanitizer, to break down the oils.
If you get sunscreen on your camera, you'll want to clean it off as soon as possible. When you're still out and about, you can use hand wipes or a cloth with some hand sanitizer to clean it off. You could also use a cloth with a small amount of dishwashing liquid and water.
If there's sunscreen on your lens, make sure you use a cleaning solution made for optics, as you don't want to remove the special coatings. Disposable lens wipes are always ideal to have on hand in such situations, as then you don't have to worry about spreading it around more the next time you use your lens cloth.
