Gaffers Tape

[Issy]

Be careful of some versions of the black gaffers tape... I have had it do exactly what folks expect it not to... leave a tough black residue on the camera body that needed windex or 409 and some tough scrubbing to get off.

I use high quality 3M electrical tape now... it may leave a slight residue, but one that rolls off in your fingers.

 

[djon]

Gaffer's tape is special purpose tape used by "gaffers," the people that set up lighting in motion picture shoots.

It's not available in hardware stores: get it from a motion picture equipment rental or dealer. It's probably not the right tape for repairing bellows because it's specifically designed to be readily removable (unlike duct tape).

It looks like duct tape but it's quite different: The adhesive is strong, but it's specifically designed to peel off walls and furniture (to which a light may have been taped) without doing damage to the paint/varnish/veneer.

Gaffer's tape is fairly expensive...and since it's easily removed it is sometimes re-used.

 

[eric]

Can I get gaffers tape from home depot?

I doubt it. Most photo shops don't even carry it. The usual suspects have them. B&H, Adorama, Calumet. Ain't cheap. About $30 bucks a roll. But they are really worth it. It sticky, holds great, and doesn't leave residue. When I assisted, I had a bunch tied to my waist ready for action.

 

[akptc]

Polyken tape - any residue?

Polyken tape - any residue?

Go here and enter gaffers tape in the find box. It'll tell you more than you want to know about the tape. I ordered 7612A92 which is made by polyken...

I have a roll of Polyken 7612A92, thinking about using it on a couple black camera bodies. From your experience, does it leave any residue after a while? - thanks!

 

[akptc]

This sure looks like a dead horse - subject... oh well..

 

[Nick R.]

Hey Andy,
I recently took some off of a camera after being there about a year. It came off easily and didn't leave goo behind like electrical tape. However, I could see where it had been even if it was very subtle. I took a little bit of thin oil on a cloth and rubbed the spot and it removed all traces.

 

[eric]

You gotta stop using poor quality gaffers 🙂

I agree here! Good gaffer's tape is expensive. I've takent that stuff off after YEARS of use and barely any residue.

 

[akptc]

Hey Andy,
I recently took some off of a camera after being there about a year. It came off easily and didn't leave goo behind like electrical tape. However, I could see where it had been even if it was very subtle. I took a little bit of thin oil on a cloth and rubbed the spot and it removed all traces.

Hi Nick, this is just what was hoping to hear - thanks a bunch, this really helps.

 

[3js]

Planet earth is calling, where are you guys? Thiefs come in two divisions, proffs and non proffs. The proff will know exactly what camera is it, no matter how much tape you put on it, and they will steal it if the opportunity is given, and the non proff will steal any camera if the opportunity is given, so stop act like a complete idiot, the tape isn´t going to save your camera... You are!

 

[akptc]

I just like totally black bodies, is all..

 

[3js]

I just like totally black bodies, is all..

Paint them black...

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Um...some people don't use gaffer's tape only as a means to deter thieves...it's also a handy way to prevent brassing and light reflecting off the camera if it's a chrome body. It's also much cheaper than just painting them black.

 

[ghost]

oh, look. this thread is granovski approved! 😀

 

[Nick R.]

And the question is: "How do good threads go bad?"

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[3js]

oh, look. this thread is granovski approved! 😀

Actually, the whole idea is!😀