How many miniDV tapes do you have?
 

How many miniDV tapes do most people take along with them for an average day's shooting?

I always take a fresh box of 5, and then whatever I think I might need. the extra 5 are just in case things run over.

I'm not so sure what "average" means to you. An 'average' day of shooting a feature? An 'average' day of shooting a documentary? An 'average' day of shooting a music video? An average day of shooting a thirty second spot?

No such animal. Basically, look at your shot sheet for the day. How much coverage are you planning on shooting that day? (Plan the shoot, shoot the plan)

Whatever you plan to shoot bring 'spare' tape. It's cheap, what's the big deal? The last thing in the world you want to happen is be caught without a five dollar piece of tape that stops the whole production.

That makes sense, and yes; it sounds like it would suck to be caught without one tape and not be able to get that good shot.

Just in case, i always bring double amount of tapes needed for shooting. Never had shortage problems.

I assume I will run tape the entire time I am there. So for a four hour event, I take four hours of tape (prelabeled), will probably use two. Plus an extra box of five that just lives in a corner of my camera case at all times.