How to Unbox a New Camera
Whenever I buy a new camera, I go through the same series of steps to help make sure that I get continuity with my current cameras and that the new camera is brought to the stable ready to work, in its best possible condition. The list goes something like this…
a. Carefully open the box and check to make sure everything that is supposed to be included with the camera is included. I also inspect the box and its contents for damage at this point.
b. Find a clean, uncluttered, well-lit workspace to spread out the contents of the box. Open everything carefully and check to make sure small parts like LCD covers, caps, etc., aren’t buried behind, underneath or inside.
c. Read the manual. (If I am already shooting the same camera system I will temporarily skip this part but will, as is my habit, read one page from the manual each day to make sure I am current on all the camera’s functions.
d. Check each of the camera’s buttons, switches and dials to make sure they are fully operational.
e. Install the strap – I rarely use the manufacturer’s strap and instead prefer to use one of the KATA camera straps that’s easily removable.
f. Adjust the dioptre to accommodate my near-sidedness.
g. Use the visible dust cleaning system to carefully wipe down the lens mount and the extreme outer chamber. The manufacturing process often leaves minute particles of dust, dirt or even metal shavings in this area.
h. Install a 50mm lens to use when I test out the camera’s initial operation.
i. I charge the camera battery overnight before installing in the camera. Assuming that charge is complete, I install the battery.
j. Making sure the camera is off, I next install the memory card(s).
k. The next step is to power on the camera and format the card(s).
l. Next I check all the basic functions. I start with adjusting shutter speed, aperture, mode, ISO, etc,
m. I make several test exposures, looking at the images in the LCD to see if the camera is performing as expected.
n. I then download test shots to Aperture to check for sharpness, color accuracy and sharpness.
o. Once satisfied the camera is in good order, I turn off the power, record the serial number, fill out and mail in registration cards and store all original packaging materials with the original box and documentation.
Your routine may include fewer or more steps than mine. The details of how you go about unboxing new cameras (or other gear) are less important to me than knowing you have a plan, a checklist and a system to ensure that your new gear provides you with years of good service.
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I am all about checklists and had not ever thought to develop (no pun intended) one for unboxing new gear. This is a great reference guide. Do you have something similar for lenses or other accessory items like tripods/heads/camera bags/etc? I would imagine some of the elements can be skipped (i.e. battery charging for a lens) while others may be altered slightly (cleaning procedures if at all – would you really clean a tripod head?)…
Great post Scott. I often do these steps but have never really thought about them.
LOL.
Here’s what I do Scott.
If bought in store. Open box take out camera, add a lens from my bag then, add a battery and card from bag. Shoot. Bag up the box and take it home. Once home take out the battery charger and battery. All other accessories stay in the box. Order a new strap.
If arrived via Fedex/UPS: Open outer box with a giant kitchen knife. Toss any bubble wrap on floor. Open camera box anywhere. Grab camera and add a lens, battery and card from bag. Toss box in corner. Shoot.
Take it out on an assignment with 1 or 2 other cameras. Adjust presets to match. Shoot half the job with the new camera.
Get the PDF of the manual from Nikon UK or Europe. Print it out and read it 6 months later when I need to go to sleep.
This is great advice. I wish I had known this when I bought my D80 a couple years ago. My kit lens has a significant lack of sharpness on the left side when at a wide angle, and I’m pretty sure I would have noticed this if I had taken the time to really study some initial test shots when I first unboxed it. But I was a noob. Oh well, now I know. I will follow your advice for my next unboxing of either lens or body.
I was always the ‘full excited ripping the box apart’ guy but this of course has taken me many times the possibility to resell the equipment.
Thank you for your procedure, I strongly considering following it for future buys.
How to REALLY unbox a camera:
Day 1:
1) Sit in you best chair.
2) Rip the box open.
3) Get out the camera.
4) Insert battery (remember to swear because it’s not fully charged).
5) Mount any lens.
6) Press shutter release and enjoy sound
7) Jack in a memory card.
8) Shoot 10-20 shots of the opposite wall, the fish tank or the cat.
9) Get on shoes and a jacket and get out and shoot!
Day 2-3:
10) Tidy up coffee table
11) Get on shoes and a jacket and get out and shoot!
Day nn (typically 20-40):
12) Wonder where you put the “%#&/”# box still containing warranty, manual, and assorted thingamajigs.
13) Stop worrying, get on shoes and a jacket and get out and shoot!
Martin