ANOTHER tape brand switch question

[Kegan]

I know, I know - it's highly recommended NOT to switch brands of tapes with ANY camera, but this situation's a bit different. Well, likely not - but I'd like your advice on what to do.

I got hired to be a camera op for a feature length horror. Initially the guy wanted a Sony V1u, but I convinced him to go with my XH-A1. He bought Sony HDV tapes previously because he was under the assumption that he'd be using a Sony camera. I've only put Panasonic tapes through mine. He said he's had bad luck with Panasonic and dropouts, but I think its because he's already bought the Sony tapes.

I don't want to create a problem and quite frankly I need this job to get me through the month, but I also don't want to be using different lubricants in my camera to gunk up the heads (Sony's wet lube and Panasonic's dry?) If I cleaned the heads and then only used the Sony HDV tapes for that period of time and then cleaned them again before going back to Panasonic, would that be okay?

I've heard that the XH-A1 is overly sensitive to tape brand changes, so I'm just curious as to what the other A1 users have to say.

Thanks,

Kegan

 

[Steve Strickland]

I'm sorry that I can't really answer your brand changes question. But, as a reassurance on the Sony tapes, I've been using Sony HDV tapes in my A1 from the get-go and haven't experienced one dropout yet.

I know this is a highly contested subject, but I'm not sure if the lube debate is as relevant now. As long as you clean your heads frequently, I think you'll be fine.

 

[Huy Vu]

I made the switch from Sony to Pana just now and it was pretty much hassle free.

 

[Kegan]

Thanks a lot guys - so the consensus is just to clean the heads before and after and I should be good to go?

-Kegan

 

[Tom Maj]

Wet vs Dry lube:
Ok I have to ask. Is the lube applied on the plastic spool/case interface to help the spools turn, or is lube actually applied ON the tape to glide it along the works?

Tom