A vintage camera is no doubt a collector's item and, as such, deserves careful preservation. One thing that you need to keep in mind when storing your camera is that it is never exposed to any light. This is the same with storing most cameras. But the reason why you are given the choice of using daylight or fluorescent light is simply that it does not matter.
Light Exposure
If you can protect the vintage camera from light exposure, then you will not have to worry about scratches on the camera. The fact is that you can preserve a good vintage camera for years without having to repair the damage. It just takes time, care, and patience.
Always start by putting the camera into a cold, dark place that is well ventilated, preferably in a cupboard or some kind of box. You want to make sure that it is as dark as possible, but this is not a strict rule. Start by making sure that the camera has a view of a bright ceiling or wall.
Once the scene is set up, take a shot. Then take another chance. This way, you will get an idea of how much light you need to expose the scene. If you don't like taking several shots, you can get away with taking one, which will give you the correct exposure you need.
Preparing Background
Next, you will want to prepare the background. If you are just taking photos of your living room, then it may be sufficient to use a newspaper, a plastic bag, or even paper towels. For a more dramatic effect, you could consider using watercolors, graphite, ceramic tile, or even the paper towel inside the plastic bag.
Shooting your pictures directly into the camera is the easiest way to preserve the photos. When you are out taking photographs, you may want to take a snapshot of your subject so that you can have a reference of what they look like. Once you have done this, you should find out if there is a bulb in the camera and if there is, turn it off.
Camera storage
You will want to store the camera in its casing and do not try to remove it. If you decide to move it to a different location, use a couple of sheets of newspaper to protect the camera from scratches. Do not use it to take more pictures if it is wet.
Take some pictures of your subject and then analyze them. This will tell you if the photos need more or less light exposure. You will also see if you need to alter the light in the scene.
If your camera does not require a single light exposure, or you are not even taking pictures of your subject, it is fine to shoot in a different light. This will allow you to take photos of things in a variety of natural settings but is not advised to shoot on a sunny day if you are photographing trees, for example.
Story Line
When taking pictures of your subject, you want to give them a casual look and do not try to force too much detail in them. For example, if you take a picture of a snowy landscape, you want to capture the snow on the ground without trying to focus on it as much as you would in the mountains. This is important because you do not want to make it look as if you were trying to highlight the snow in the background.
When taking pictures outdoors, it is suggested that you keep your exposure between about one hundred fifty percent lights. In cases where the light is low, such as under trees or in low light, you may be able to use flash, but do not overdo it.
If you find your vintage camera in a serious condition, do not touch it at all. Use the latest cleaning products, but ensure that you have contacted the manufacturer to ask for their approval first.