Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Just got my first DSLR this last Christmas, can anyone tell me when is the best time to have them serviced and checked for calibrations. Hope I am stating this right but beings they are electronic I think there is a probable time frame to have them checked out.
Thank You
Bob

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Are you experiencing difficulties? If you are happy with the results, I wouldn't think there'd be any reason to have the camera serviced. It's possible to calibrate your lenses yourself, but, again, if it's not a problem, let it be.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I think the great majority of DSLR owners don't get their cameras serviced until there is an actual problem with it. A DSLR camera is essentially a very complex computer and not nearly as easily taken apart and put back together like most film cameras.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thank you, not having issues but taken over 1600 photo the last 5 months, I am concerned about calibrating lens though.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

rook2c4 Thanks for comment, just wondering what to look for if problem should arise, besides cleaning of the sensor.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Most (all?) current DSLR's are capable of fine tuning the auto-focus with the various lenses you may have. The camera retains the settings and applies them every time that particular lens is attached. Your manual will tell you how to manipulate the settings. Actually determining what changes to make to the initial settings takes a little bit of equipment and time. There are numerous tutorials on-line, such as this one:
http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart
Canon (probably Nikon and others) have in-camera correction for other factors, such as distortion. These are for manufacturer lenses and come with the camera and can be up-dated for newer lenses. Custom settings for non-manufacturer lenses can also be added.
Do-it-yourself auto-focus calibration is relatively simple and seems to do the job for most people. You could send the camera and lens to a factory repair center or reputable repair shop for them to do it, but that is time consuming and probably expensive. Don't know that the results would be that much better.
Make sure before you do anything that any image quality issues you may have at some point are actually with the camera and not your shooting technique. I spent time trying to calibrate a lens only to find out that I was the cause of the problem.
As far as cleaning the sensor, my feeling is that if I can't see any dust spots on the images then it doesn't need cleaning. Do-it-yourself cleaning is not particularly difficult, and, as with most everything else, there are numerous on-line tutorials.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thanks for the info LFingar will check out the video. Bob

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Bob, DSLR are not like film cameras that needed Clean, Lube and Adjust. The only thing you need to do is make sure the sensor is clean. My Nikon has a setting to lock up the mirror to expose the sensor.
I use a Rocket Blaster before I go out to do serious photography.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259157-REG/Giottos_AA1900_Rocket_Air_Blower.html?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx43ZBRCeARIsANzpzb-NOsLk4-ehk7GTesSTAKVAE7GDm6-6Nx5Y89p2MFqTnaHat7hXbx8aAgm8EALw_wcB&smp=y

Have fun with your new DSLR

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thanks PixelStan77 for the comment. So in other words what you people are saying not maintenance required for the DSLR's except for keeping an eye on sensor for unwanted spots.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

If the lens worked fine for the first 1600 shots nothing will change. I only get my camera serviced if there is a definite error.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Unless you have a Nikon of course. You might want to check or change the oil filter occasionally.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I suppose when you feel something is amiss, or when the sensor gets lots of crud on it. If there is nothing wrong other than sensor dust - the service will be nominal. If the camera has had a hard life - then expect it to cost more.

I shoot about 20,000 images a year, so my stuff goes in every 12-18 months.

Preventative service is always cheaper than repair.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thanks Gene51 this is what I am kind of thinking preventative more than anything, just knowing it is top notch condition. I keep real good care of equipment. Have a Canon AE-1P bought Dec. 1980 still like new works just great, taken thousands of pictures with it. Thanks again Bob

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Keep doing what you are doing. My AE-1 (1976) and T90 (1986) are both fine. My digital cameras likewise.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Thanks for the kind comment Peterff, you pay too much green backs to abuse these things.