How long can we leave tape in the Camera (I got a Sony DVCAM) at DVinfo.net

Ronald Lee · April 15th, 2004, 11:31 PM

Say, I was wondering, especially since Sony tapes use a wet emulsion, how long is it safe to leave a Sony miniDV tape, or any tape, in the video camera?

I know we are supposed to remove it when we are done, but if we don't then how long is safe to leave it in there. Days? Weeks? Will it dry up/stick to the head?

Kris Holodak · April 16th, 2004, 09:45 AM

I've left tapes in for about 24 hours due to forgetfulness and not had any problems. There probably is a point at which problems ensue, but I suspect the only way to get a real answer is for someone share a sad story with us.

Mike Rehmus · April 16th, 2004, 05:04 PM

My friend at Sony R&D in San Jose, CA says that leaving tape in cameras is the fastest way to a transport problem. Springs are left in their stretched postition & tape is held against guides and heads.

I pull them out immediately after a session.

Frank Granovski · April 16th, 2004, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Springs are left in their stretched postition & tape is held against guides and heads.

I didn't know this. Thanks, Mike!

Ridzuan Yunus · April 16th, 2004, 11:10 PM

Been using my panasonic for 2 years & have always left my tapes for at least a week before replacing it. So far, no problems.

Rick Bravo · April 21st, 2004, 10:43 AM

All of our vehicles carry one type of camera or another. It is not unusual for my vehicle to carry three different types of cameras at all times.

Due to the nature of our work, and having to shoot without stopping to load tape or mount batteries, our cameras have tapes in them 24/7, sometimes for weeks at a time, and we have never had any kind of problem due to this.

If the camera is powered down, the tape should be back in its case and not sitting on heads.

RB

Mike Rehmus · April 21st, 2004, 06:23 PM

Each camera is different about where the tape ends up when powered down. And the way some people turn the camera off is to pull the battery! Leaves everything out in the breeze.

Frank Granovski · April 21st, 2004, 07:59 PM

Well, that's one thing I never do, slide off the battery to shut off my cam. I do however remove it after I finish shooting...with my tape still in my cam. :-))

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In Vancouver you can tell it's summer when the rain gets warmer.

Rick Bravo · April 21st, 2004, 10:24 PM

I can only speak about the cameras we currently operate, including the Beta SPs.

I power my cameras down the way the GOOD LORD intended us to do...I turn the power off using the supplied switch...period.

If some knucklehead decides he, or she, wants to pull the battery to power down while everything is still running...kind of like turning off your computer by pulling the plug from the wall...then I say all bets are off.

If you're going to be dumb...you BETTER be tough!

Regards, RB.

April 15th, 2004, 11:31 PM	#1
Ronald Lee Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 435	How long can we leave tape in the Camera (I got a Sony DVCAM) Say, I was wondering, especially since Sony tapes use a wet emulsion, how long is it safe to leave a Sony miniDV tape, or any tape, in the video camera? I know we are supposed to remove it when we are done, but if we don't then how long is safe to leave it in there. Days? Weeks? Will it dry up/stick to the head?

April 16th, 2004, 05:04 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	My friend at Sony R&D in San Jose, CA says that leaving tape in cameras is the fastest way to a transport problem. Springs are left in their stretched postition & tape is held against guides and heads. I pull them out immediately after a session. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

April 21st, 2004, 10:43 AM	#6
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	All of our vehicles carry one type of camera or another. It is not unusual for my vehicle to carry three different types of cameras at all times. Due to the nature of our work, and having to shoot without stopping to load tape or mount batteries, our cameras have tapes in them 24/7, sometimes for weeks at a time, and we have never had any kind of problem due to this. If the camera is powered down, the tape should be back in its case and not sitting on heads. RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

April 21st, 2004, 06:23 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Each camera is different about where the tape ends up when powered down. And the way some people turn the camera off is to pull the battery! Leaves everything out in the breeze. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

April 21st, 2004, 10:24 PM	#9
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Hard Boot! I can only speak about the cameras we currently operate, including the Beta SPs. I power my cameras down the way the GOOD LORD intended us to do...I turn the power off using the supplied switch...period. If some knucklehead decides he, or she, wants to pull the battery to power down while everything is still running...kind of like turning off your computer by pulling the plug from the wall...then I say all bets are off. If you're going to be dumb...you BETTER be tough! Regards, RB. __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

April 16th, 2004, 09:45 AM	#2
Kris Holodak Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 302	I've left tapes in for about 24 hours due to forgetfulness and not had any problems. There probably is a point at which problems ensue, but I suspect the only way to get a real answer is for someone share a sad story with us.

April 16th, 2004, 11:10 PM	#5
Ridzuan Yunus Tourist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: malaysia Kuala Lumpur Posts: 2	Been using my panasonic for 2 years & have always left my tapes for at least a week before replacing it. So far, no problems.

April 21st, 2004, 07:59 PM	#8
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Well, that's one thing I never do, slide off the battery to shut off my cam. I do however remove it after I finish shooting...with my tape still in my cam. :-)) ----------------------------------------------- In Vancouver you can tell it's summer when the rain gets warmer.