Instruction manual

109
10. Between Missions: Keeping
the Camera and Accessories
Mission Ready
The Airborne Photographer and the Videography Information Technology (VIT)
Specialist both need to know how to properly store and maintain the
camera/camcorder and accessories between missions, so they will be ready on short
notice.
You never know when you’ll be called for a video imaging mission, so you need to
assume it will come at the most unexpected and inconvenient time. Therefore it is
important that the equipment you need will be ready to go.
The VIT Specialist will normally maintain photography equipment between missions,
but Airborne Photographers also need to know how to do this. The VIT Specialist
usually instructs AP trainees in the proper operation, maintenance and storage of
photography equipment and accessories, and periodically reviews these procedures
with Videography crew members.
Each camera and camcorder should be kept in a camera bag, along with its
accessories. As a minimum, your camera bag should contain spare batteries, a
battery charger, lens cleaners, and spare media cards or tapes. Additionally, your
camera/camcorder should have a sturdy wrist strap attached (try and explain how you
dropped an expensive digital camera out the aircraft’s window!).
It is also a good idea to create a one-page “camera set-up” card to put in your camera
bag. This quick-check item should list normal camera settings (e.g., exposure mode,
resolution and quality), checking the batteries, checking the media card, checking
cleanliness, checking the filter installed, etc. If you wish, you could also list the
camera bag inventory on the reverse. Once completed, trim and laminate the card
and keep it in the camera bag.
Don’t store your camera where it will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or near a
strong magnetic field (e.g., TV set or radio).
Don’t put moth balls in your camera bag; take the camera out of storage every 4-6
weeks to help prevent mold and mildew.
Inspect the camera/camcorder periodically and inventory the camera bag contents.
Replenish as necessary.
Chapter
10