What to do with old digital cameras?

Find out which components and options are best for your machine

old digital cameras

The first photographic cameras were created in the 19th century, but only in the following decades did they consolidate. Incredibly, the method changed little until the 2000s, when digitization came into the picture and films were replaced by memory cards.

And as it's been a while since this new technology was created, there are several models that become outdated over time. But can you recycle digital cameras? To answer this question, we need to understand how old analog machines work.

Analogical camera

Every camera has the same principle. The camera obscura consists of a box with a hole through which a light passes, which hits a photographic film - in this way an inverted image is reproduced.

Its main components are:

  • Plastic housing;
  • Lenses;
  • Stacks;
  • Photographic film: cellulose plastic base (flexible and transparent) on which one or more layers are deposited. The main layer is the photosensitive layer, which contains silver salts (chloride, iodide or silver bromide), some being more sensitive than others to a certain amount of light.

Digital camera

The digital camera has basically the same principles, however, the process of capturing and storing the image takes place through an electronic device, allowing for greater practicality, although some models do not have such good image resolution.

Its components are:

  • Plastic housing;
  • Different focus lenses;
  • Drums;
  • LCD monitor;
  • Memory card;
  • Image sensor: there are CMOS sensors and CCD, which are devices that convert light intensity into storable digital values. There are also, on the surface of each silicon chip, several photosensitive diodes (photosites that capture a single pixel of the image;
  • Microprocessor: Performs instructions and calculations so that the camera can inspect, capture, compress, filter, store, transfer and display the image.

Recycling

If we analyze the technological advance, digital cameras stopped using large amounts of film (which contained several chemical elements and, in general, was flammable) and provided the ease of viewing photos on digital devices, saving paper. But the electronic elements contained in these new devices carry chemical substances that could cause environmental problems if they came into contact with the environment. Depending on the model, mercury, lead or cadmium may be present (see more).

Even so, it is possible to give a correct destination to old digital cameras. If it cannot be fixed or passed on to another user, there are recycling stations that give the best possible destination for all components of the electronic item. A model location is the Cedir (Center for the Disposal and Reuse of Computer Waste), which belongs to the CCE (Electronic Computing Center) of the University of São Paulo (USP). But manufacturers, in compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS), also have to receive old items to properly dispose of them.

In the case of analog cameras, a good option is to look for collectors of old models (believe me, there are many).

Do you want to dispose of your object with a clear conscience and without leaving the house?

How to save your digital camera?

To make your camera last, here are some tips:
  • Do not leave it in very humid places, as they can stain the lenses or damage the equipment's seals;
  • LCD display should be clean without chemicals, just a soft dry cloth is enough;
  • Remove dust from your lenses, then clean with specialized products (there are special kits for cleaning the machine);
  • If you are not going to use the camera for long periods, remove the batteries, batteries and memory card;
  • Avoid rain, but if it gets wet, let it dry for 24 hours.


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