How would I make my cam smell better?

[Terence T]

Recently purchased a used camera which arrived smelling like a pack of cigarettes. Being a non-smoker, it really bothers me to have to deal with it everytime I bring it up to shoot with.

Is there any way to rid it of this disgusting smell of stale cigarettes? I've wiped it down with alcohol, had a fan on it for a couple of hours, and used some disinfectant wipes on it... to no avail... sigh...

 

[resummerfield]

I was faced with a similar situation with a Nikon F. I tried everything, but found there was only one solution-- I ordered replacement leatherette from Camera Leather. After removing the old leatherette, I thoroughly wiped down all metal parts with a "lysol" and "windex" mix, and let it air for a few days. Then I installed the replacement covers. Perfect fit and no smoke smell.

 

[Terence T]

Thanks for the suggestion but that's going to involve too much effort. It's a real pity to change the leather covering on a body which looks just about perfect.

I really think that smokers should be more forthcoming when selling gear... or I suppose I should ask if the sellers in the future if they light up while using their cams.

 

[ZeissFan]

Wipe it down with some white vinegar. Then just give it time. Eventually, the odor will go away. It could take a couple of months. Make sure you wipe down the outside and inside and every part as much as possible.

 

[aizan]

my first real encounter with smoking was through old cameras. now i have a nostalgic affinity for the odor. 😀

 

[richard_l]

Be very careful with vinegar. It's great for getting rid of skunk or cat spray odor, but it can corrode metal.

I have another suggestion. Fill up a sock (or something similar) with baking soda. Put the camera and the sock in a ziplock bag, but don't let them touch. Now seal it up, and leave it for a few days. A few treatments should get rid of most of the tobacco odor.

BTW, the odor will eventually go away by itself, but it could take a year or so.

 

[Poptart]

Simple Green followed by Febreeze. You'll smell a freakin' flower garden!

 

[dexdog]

How can I make my camera smell better

How can I make my camera smell better

I have used Febreeze on 2 or 3 smoky cameras, and have been very impressed with the results. I simply sprayed the stuff onto the outer surfaces (having covered the lens mount to avoid getting the stuff inside), put it in a well-ventilated area, and let it dry. It worked very well the times I used it. Other folks on RFF have reported success by enclosing the camera in a plastic bag with those scented fabric softener sheets used in the clothes dryer. I have not used this method, having had success with Febreeze.

Dexdog

 

[jaapv]

Take up smoking a pipe. Looks great with a RF ! 😀

 

[Nikon Bob]

Put a filter on it.

Bob

 

[rover]

Have it spend some time in your wife's "intimate wear" draw next to the bag of potpourri. You know, that bag of sticks and flowers that makes you sneeze. 😀

 

[Kin Lau]

Have it spend some time in your wife's "intimate wear" draw next to the bag of potpourri. You know, that bag of sticks and flowers that makes you sneeze. 😀

Honey... why does my bra stink like your old cameras?! 😀

 

[captainslack]

Other folks on RFF have reported success by enclosing the camera in a plastic bag with those scented fabric softener sheets used in the clothes dryer.

I can second that. One of my cats peed on a camera bag and stunk up my Nikon FE. I put it in a small box with a bunch of dryer sheets and it took the odor completely out. If it can get out cat urine, which is the most noxious, lingering smell in creation, I'm sure it'll take care of old smoke.

 

[Mike Kovacs]

When restoring leather (real leather), I use saddle soap and a toothbrush with a light touch. This does involve getting the camera wet so some precautions are warranted if you are not doing any diassembly. I keep at it until the toothbrush comes off clean.

After the leather is clean and dry, I apply a high quality black shoe cream and polish with a horse hair brush.

 

[dcsang]

I really think that smokers should be more forthcoming when selling gear... or I suppose I should ask if the sellers in the future if they light up while using their cams.

I know that when most folks sell on FredMiranda that they try to make the statement that they're a "non-smoker"/"smoker" .

It can be annoying, especially if the gear is from the home of someone who smokes a couple decks a day.

I guess most people feel that it's not a big deal but I would concur that it does impact how you "feel" about the equipment when you decide to use it - I'm not a huge fan of holding an ashtray up to my eyeball.

Dave

 

[XAos]

I dont smoke, never haved, detest it, but.. it was pretty much a fact of life from 1940-1970 and even later. I don't think the seller is under any kind of requirement to inform you of that fact that more than 50% of americans smoked during the time that this item was being used. It might affect the grade, but only in the Like New/Excellent condition range. I think it could still be VGC+ and stink. ALL old music gear stinks. The seller may be a nonsmoker, but it still doesn't mean that the camera wasn't used in the Phillip Morris break room for 40 years before he bought it and decided to sell it on ebay.

 

[Terence T]

This thread is beginning to fill up with the most ingenious solutions to this seemingly common problem.

I've always wondered why some folks mention they're non-smokers in their sale threads, now I know. Could be a selling point, I must remember that in the future.

 

[XAos]

Hey🙂

Nor am I. Even in the centre, definition is pretty useless. 😀

ManGo

But way cheaper than a lens baby.

 

[Kat]

In relation to the original question, how do you clean/disinfect the camera, esp the leather parts of the body, case and straps?

 

[Terence T]

This thread is beginning to fill up with the most ingenious solutions to this seemingly common problem.

I've always wondered why some folks mention they're non-smokers in their sale threads, now I know. Could be a selling point, I must remember that in the future.