When shooting video or photography, you need gaffer tape. There are some advantages of using it instead of duct tape, and this video shows you all the various uses on and off set.
You can get them in various colors, so if you need to bring the cable you taped to the floor to the people on set’s attention, a bright yellow or orange can come in handy. You can also use it to tape down a backdrop for a portrait session or use it to tape down a buggy camera battery door if it doesn't want to stay closed.
What I learned through this video is that it doesn't leave any residue, so you can use it and feel comfortable knowing you’re not leaving any goo behind. It’s also a little more heat resistant than other tapes. This is a critical advantage of using it instead of duct tape which has a low heat resistance, especially with lights and battery packs on set that get hot when used for the whole day.
Gaffer tape is certainly something I will have in my bag from now on, even when I’m shooting off set. It’s a very handy tool and even if you’re not shooting, having this with you in your bag will one day make you the hero, you can count on it.
I’ll admit I have never used gaffer tape, just hasn’t popped off store shelf and made me buy it yet.
In New Zealand, gaffer tape is as rare as hens teeth. Not that cheap to buy online either.
In my opinion, it's a must have - Even if you only have a short length wrapped on itself the throw in the camera bag. I don't use it much, but when you do you're so grateful to have it.
Surely the Warehouse will supply it ok?
Would you trust tape from The Warehouse to actually be gaffer tape, not renamed duct tape? :-)
Heh heh, I haven't been to New Zealand for a few years but I'd probably try a roll from The Warehouse to see how sticky it was anyway, assuming I could see through the packaging that it was actually cloth tape not duct tape. You never know, they might pleasantly surprise!
That's exactly right. A lot of tape sold as gaffer isn't and will leave residue. If you want the real thing, buy from a film supply house. And even then, re. residue, test with the material you are taping to and be cautious.
This is a lesson for the whole of life, not just photography!
I use it to lock down focus on my lens when taking night images. I cut small thin strips and wrap them around on old credit card and toss it in my camera bag. It works great and no residue left on the lens when I pull it off.
Gaffer's tape is what i consider *the* most important piece of equipment to keep with you. I'll wrap it around pens into a small roll, which makes it small enough to stick in my camera bag next to the pens, on my keychain holder, and i have several strips laid on top of each other that i stick on the back of my camera for emergencies. There's no better assistant/repairman than gaffers. Pricey, yes, but absolutely worth every penny.
I purchase small core gaffer tape from film houses. It takes up much less room in my camera bag .