Leaving a tape in the GL2 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Miller · December 12th, 2004, 08:46 PM

Will leaving a tape in the GL2 for longer periods of time have ill effects? Does the tape rest on the heads? I know the book says not to, but...

I ask since I use the GL2 frequently, and also being my 'carry around' camera, it's nice to have it ready to shoot at a moments notice.

Ken Tanaka · December 13th, 2004, 01:45 AM

Hello Jeff,
The answer really has no relationship to the GL2 or any specific camera.

In general, it's a bad idea to leave a tape in a camera. The nearly inevitable hazard is that the tape will eventually permanently deform to its position in the deck, thereby creating bad spots on the tape. Leaving good grade tape (ex: professional grades) in for a day is unlikely to cause trouble. But it's good practice to remove them when the camera is not in use.

Jeff Miller · December 13th, 2004, 08:45 AM

Well now that can't be good at all. I'll do the tape and camera a favor from now on and unload the tape every night, thanks!

Don Palomaki · December 13th, 2004, 06:14 PM

Leaving a tape in a camcorder for a few days is usually not a problem, no more that leaving a tape partly wound in its case, as far as tape life goes. Of course, leaving a tape in the camcorder for weeks or longer is not a good idea.

The significant issues are the possibility of a condensation cycle that could cause tape stickage in the mechanism, just enough to cause a problem, and the likelihood that someone might unintentionally tape over matrial you want to keep.

Eugene Pesochin · December 14th, 2004, 04:11 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Don Palomaki : Leaving a tape in a camcorder for a few days is usually not a problem, no more that leaving a tape partly wound in its case, as far as tape life goes. Of course, leaving a tape in the camcorder for weeks or longer is not a good idea.

The significant issues are the possibility of a condensation cycle that could cause tape stickage in the mechanism, just enough to cause a problem, and the likelihood that someone might unintentionally tape over matrial you want to keep. -->>>

Could that be a reason for "remove cassette" problems?

Cosmin Rotaru · December 15th, 2004, 08:27 AM

I almost always have a tape in the camcorder. I have a 4 months baby and need the camcorder ready at any moment to capture unique moments! :)
My wife, who is at home with the kid, knows how to power on and REC. :)
So tape & accu on camera at all times.
But I do shoot every other day. So, the tape does not stays on the same position...
But I don't think it matters. I would think the tape retracts into its case.. I don't know how could it be diferent if the tape is in the camcorder or outside...

Rick Bravo · December 15th, 2004, 08:45 AM

I HAVE to have a tape in my camera 24/7, year round.

Camera formats include BetaCam, Hi-8, and Mini-DV. I have never, ever had a problem leaving a tape, ready to go, in the camera.

To add insult to injury, my cameras never leave my response vehicle unless I am shooting.

I know, I know...the book says and all that...

Always remember, the books are being written by folks that build the cameras in the lab, not by the folks that are actually using them in the field!

We "abuse" our equipment out of operational necessity. The bright side of all this is that while we are taking our equipment to the extreme, you all benefit from the knowledge gleaned from said abuse...at no extra charge!

We are either exceptionally lucky or the books are just extremely conservative with their recommendations. I think it's the latter.

You can read more at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=24649

RB

Ken Tanaka · December 15th, 2004, 11:53 AM

Well, Jeff, there you have it. Responses that run the gamut of possibilities.

Hope this helps! <g>

December 12th, 2004, 08:46 PM	#1
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	Leaving a tape in the GL2 Will leaving a tape in the GL2 for longer periods of time have ill effects? Does the tape rest on the heads? I know the book says not to, but... I ask since I use the GL2 frequently, and also being my 'carry around' camera, it's nice to have it ready to shoot at a moments notice.

December 13th, 2004, 01:45 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Hello Jeff, The answer really has no relationship to the GL2 or any specific camera. In general, it's a bad idea to leave a tape in a camera. The nearly inevitable hazard is that the tape will eventually permanently deform to its position in the deck, thereby creating bad spots on the tape. Leaving good grade tape (ex: professional grades) in for a day is unlikely to cause trouble. But it's good practice to remove them when the camera is not in use. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 13th, 2004, 06:14 PM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Leaving a tape in a camcorder for a few days is usually not a problem, no more that leaving a tape partly wound in its case, as far as tape life goes. Of course, leaving a tape in the camcorder for weeks or longer is not a good idea. The significant issues are the possibility of a condensation cycle that could cause tape stickage in the mechanism, just enough to cause a problem, and the likelihood that someone might unintentionally tape over matrial you want to keep. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

December 15th, 2004, 08:27 AM	#6
Cosmin Rotaru Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Romania, Timisoara Posts: 453	I almost always have a tape in the camcorder. I have a 4 months baby and need the camcorder ready at any moment to capture unique moments! :) My wife, who is at home with the kid, knows how to power on and REC. :) So tape & accu on camera at all times. But I do shoot every other day. So, the tape does not stays on the same position... But I don't think it matters. I would think the tape retracts into its case.. I don't know how could it be diferent if the tape is in the camcorder or outside... __________________ Cosmin Rotaru

December 15th, 2004, 08:45 AM	#7
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Never had a problem in 15 years. I HAVE to have a tape in my camera 24/7, year round. Camera formats include BetaCam, Hi-8, and Mini-DV. I have never, ever had a problem leaving a tape, ready to go, in the camera. To add insult to injury, my cameras never leave my response vehicle unless I am shooting. I know, I know...the book says and all that... Always remember, the books are being written by folks that build the cameras in the lab, not by the folks that are actually using them in the field! We "abuse" our equipment out of operational necessity. The bright side of all this is that while we are taking our equipment to the extreme, you all benefit from the knowledge gleaned from said abuse...at no extra charge! We are either exceptionally lucky or the books are just extremely conservative with their recommendations. I think it's the latter. You can read more at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=24649 RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

December 13th, 2004, 08:45 AM	#3
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	Well now that can't be good at all. I'll do the tape and camera a favor from now on and unload the tape every night, thanks!

December 14th, 2004, 04:11 PM	#5
Eugene Pesochin New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 7	<<<-- Originally posted by Don Palomaki : Leaving a tape in a camcorder for a few days is usually not a problem, no more that leaving a tape partly wound in its case, as far as tape life goes. Of course, leaving a tape in the camcorder for weeks or longer is not a good idea. The significant issues are the possibility of a condensation cycle that could cause tape stickage in the mechanism, just enough to cause a problem, and the likelihood that someone might unintentionally tape over matrial you want to keep. -->>> Could that be a reason for "remove cassette" problems?

December 15th, 2004, 11:53 AM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Well, Jeff, there you have it. Responses that run the gamut of possibilities. Hope this helps! <g> __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com