Most digital camera owners neglect to read their instruction manuals that say their cameras are "delicate optical instruments." And almost no one reads the fine print in the back of the manual, warning against using a camera in rain, salt spray, freezing conditions, or in an explosive atmosphere.

Digital camera manufacturers would prefer to have every owner use their digital camera in an ideal world where nothing is too hot or too cold or can ever be dropped on anything hard. Regrettably, this isn't where the great pictures are always located.

This article will help you take those great pictures while simultaneously protecting your camera and making sure it's ready when you need it. That's the "care" part. First, we'll talk briefly about the "feeding."

Before you go on a vacation, or even a walk around the block, bring along extra batteries and Lexar memory cards. That's because you never can tell when a wonderful photo opportunity will present itself. Having extra memory cards is worthless if it's left at home or locked in a car miles away. Many photographers purchase small key-chain holders for their cards and then attach them to their camera straps.

Your digital camera needs little more than a supply of Lexar memory cards and a fresh set of batteries to do its job. But it also needs to be pampered, and that takes many forms.

In the Bag
First, you need a decent camera bag to hold the camera, memory cards, batteries, cleaning kit and perhaps auxiliary lenses or a small pocket tripod. These can be found for as little as $20.

Leading makers of camera bags, such as Tamrac, Lowepro, and Domke offer high-quality materials, better shock protection, and superior straps and metal hardware. Many of these units have been scaled down to fit digital cameras and have replaced the large elastic loops for 35mm film cans with smaller ones to hold AA penlight batteries.

If you are looking at new camera bags, find one roomy enough for your gear, and perhaps a bit more. What you're looking for is an "every-ready" case not a "never-ready" case. If you find a bag that requires you to pack and unpack everything each time you want an item, you definitely won't like using it, and you'll miss shots while fumbling with it. Bring your camera and accessories with you when you shop, so you can see what fits.

How you carry the bag is also important. Learn how to adjust the strap on any bag, so it does not hang far down against your body, where it will bounce off your side and slam into other people and bang into objects. Ideally, it should hang high enough that your arm partially protects it from harm. This not only protects the camera from hitting things, it also makes you a less attractive target for grab-and-run thieves. If your camera has a neck strap, the same is true. Also, consider carrying the camera with the lens pointing in towards your body to protect it.

Keep It Clean
It's almost unavoidable that fingers will touch lenses, and dust and grit will settle on optics. Marks on the lens can seriously degrade image quality, introduce flare, and reduce image contrast.

That's why you need a cleaning strategy. A cleaning kit can be as simple as a package of lens tissues or a more elaborate outfit with micro-fiber cloth, lens brush and cleaning solution. NEVER use paper tissues, paper towels or paper napkins for cleaning lenses. These products contain scratchy wood-pulp products and can seriously damage the delicate coating of your camera lens.

Do not reuse cleaning tissue, and keep any micro-fiber cleaning cloths in their original containers to keep them clean. Micro-fiber cloths are washable and can be tossed in with your laundry periodically. Also, do avoid using a cotton T-shirt or other fabric, which may have embedded grit in the material.

If you use a brush to clean dust and debris from your lens, do not let the fine bristles of the brush touch your hand or fingers. Oil from your skin will be transferred to the bristles and then smeared on the lens.

One way to keep dirt off your lenses is to use the lens cap more often. If your camera has a removable lens cap, try fixing it to camera body using a piece of string, a rubber band or a "cap keeper" gadget found in many camera departments. This will let you keep the lens on until you need to take a shot.

Heat and cold weather can affect your camera in many ways. If it sits in an air-conditioned room and then is taken out into a hot, humid climate, the lens and viewfinder may fog over. These need to be gently cleaned with the appropriate tissue or cloth. If you bring the camera in from cold, dry winter air, try leaving it in the bag to warm up before exposing it to the hot humid air in the house. If it must be used right away, again remove the "sweating" that can occur with special attention to the optics.

One tip from the pros is so simple, you won't believe it: Bring along plastic zipper-lock bags. In very dusty or wet weather, you can cut a small hole in the side for the camera lens and place the camera inside. Keeping moisture, salt air and grit out of your camera will prolong its life.

And finally, do not leave your camera in a hot car, and especially never in the glove compartment. Car interiors can heat up like ovens, warping plastic and making circuits unreliable.

Striking the Balance
If you're an infrequent shooter, most manufacturers suggest removing the camera batteries if the unit is not used for two weeks or longer. Even modern batteries can leak or corrode, and sometimes small amounts of this material can coat the electric contacts, which can render the camera inoperative.