M O T H spells Lunch!

A little soft, but had to switch to manual focus as my lens was searching too much. VR doesn't work as the muck I'm in won't hold me still and the skeeters numbered in the "millions". (No DEET because it melts the plastic of bodies and lenses).

All c/c welcome D200, 105mm, 2.8 @ 5.6, 1/125 sec, 100

Nice catch. I seen plenty of these but none of them having lunch. I think I would spring for some Deet. I've used #40 for years and haven't noticed any problem other than my plastic watch and that's because I spray it along with my arm. I do try to wipe off my hands so I don't get any on the camera.

Nice catch, indeed, Bruce. I would think that using the DEET would be okay, as long as you make sure to wipe your hands off, as Phil suggested, and keep the camera away from any part of your body that you sprayed.

I bought a can of OFF Mosquito repellant. I had it covered in a plastic bag and placed it in my camera bag. Whatever happened - this thing leaked and badly so. Came into contact with my MC20 Electronic Release and badly disfigured it. Some of it came in contact with the wire as well and I can see two places where I can see the shielding inside. The black covering of the cable is gone.

Dealing with loads of mosquitoes...not a particularly pleasant thought. I've used DEET-based repellents, carefully, for years without any repercussions. What really scares me is to think of a few situations where, even when coated with DEET, I had to pack it in. A boggy part of the Morton Arboretum in spring was one, but the all-time champ was Chincoteague NWR in Virginia, in June. There are spots in that place where the mosquitoes will come in swarms large enough to carry an elephant away.