Moth balls

[borchert]

I'm reading the manual to my new Nikon D40 which states that I should not store the camera in an area containing naphtha or camphor moth balls. I have a great place in a coat closet for my cameras, and yes I use moth protection (being in the south and all). Actually my moth protection is made of paradichlorobenzene, but I've removed them from the closet anyhow.

My question is what harm does moth balls cause a camera and/or lens? And how quickly does this damage occur?

Thanks,
Chris

[borchert]

I now see from the SB-600 flash manual that moth balls can harm the plastic case or cause fire/explosion. So I'll assume that could occur over time with a large concentration of the chemical in a closed space.

[Nickcanada]

wow, I didn't know that! Thanks for the heads up!

[FLiPMaRC]

wow, I didn't know that! Thanks for the heads up!
Me too. No moth balls ... got it :D

[JTL]

Now, bovine balls...that's something completely different! :D

[FlashX83]

Now, bovine balls...that's something completely different! :D

But, you should probably keep your camera gear away from those, too! :eek:




Oh, and it's the naptha/camphor moth balls that are flammable, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. Don't know about the plastic discoloring, though.

[Visual Reality]

I read the bit about moth balls in the manual for my 70-300 (yes I actually glanced through it). I get the feeling most people toss those right back in the box when they get the lens out.