Don'ts

Welcome to HSFSCamera's **DON'TS** section. This section will tell you what NOT to do when using the departments cameras!


 * **Never force anything!** If something you are attempting to do requires any amount of excessive force, STOP and review your methods. This applies, for example, when trying to focus. If the focus ring seems stiff, it is probably on auto-focus mode. By trying to manually focus on this setting, you are damaging the motors.
 * **Never over tighten!** This may cause the stripping of threads and/or encourage the use of excessive force that can damage the equipment.
 * **Never leave the equipment unattended!** Camera and other video equipment are prime targets for theft. Never leave the camera equipment exposed to any heat source! (E.g. - in the trunk of a vehicle. Make
 * **Sure to remove the videotape from the camera before transporting**.)
 * **Never take the ACM Media Center equipment to the beach or near shorelines! Sand and salt air/spray can clog and damage the sensitive equipment.**
 * **Never use equipment in “risky” environments!** (E.g. - any type of airborne devices or locations including airplanes, helicopters, skateboards, motorcycles, rollerblades, etc., night time shoots in low lit and/or unsafe areas, and “remote” areas which require transport of equipment over rough terrain).
 * **Never touch or attempt to clean the lens or the viewfinder lens!** There is a high probability of scratching and permanently damaging the lens without the proper cleaning materials. The viewfinder lens has a special coating on the top of it. The Media Lab Staff will clean the lens for you.
 * **Never aim the viewfinder or LCD screen directly at a strong light source!** This will cause permanent damage to the viewfinder. (E.g. - the sun, lamp, or its reflection from an object.)
 * **Never point a laser into the lens or point the lens into direct sunlight!** This will Damage the CCD’s
 * **Never use equipment near magnetic fields!** Using near magnetic fields can cause distortion to images
 * **Never Leave P2 cards out!** They should either be in the camera(when in use), the hard drive(when transferring files), or their case(never leave cards in camera with the camera power off).
 * **Never Store camera in case with battery or tape!** Battery will lose life, and tape can become slack and ruin heads.