Keeping tapes in tape deck?

S

subnoize

New member
So I've seen this topic arise many times on skateperception, but never seen a solid answer.
So my question is, is it safe to keep tapes in the tape deck while the camera's off and while in transport? I'm shooting with a canon gl1 if that changes anything.
 
Sure ... if you hit 'end search' before you start recording again .. that'll re-tension the tape in the transport in case it went slack over the bumps.

Cheers.
 
Personally I would never keep a tape in the drive when not in use. I also would never use the same tape twce - but that's probably just me being paranoid.
 
Would keeping it in do any harm to heads? Also I'm a skateboard filmer so I'm not so keen on playing back, or using a tape more than once.
 
No it won't do any harm to the heads .. but don't leave tapes in the transport for weeks after you finish shooting or capturing your material. You can if you're shooting on the same tape in the next day or 2. Always hit 'end search' first.

So you have to build some discipline and good habits into your shooting regime right from the start or you'll have major trouble down the track.

I never use the same tape twice it's cheap enough and it's a hassle erasing it right through before re-recording .. but you can .. 3 or 4 times.

Cheers.
 
During the day between locations; sure.

Over night or longer? Not a good idea. Especially on a regular basis.


Head clog (the #1 enemy of tape recording) is caused by little bits of "stuff" clogging up the record heads. If you leave a tape in the camera, it is in constant static contact with the heads; and over time as the tape sits there, it can begin to decompose on to the heads. It won't happen in one night. But done a lot, over time, it adds up.

Remember that a single particle of cigarette smoke is enough to cause a head clog; it doesn't take much.

- Mikko
 
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