Anyone tried Fuji tape?

Mike Cavanaugh · April 30th, 2004, 12:16 PM

Following the advice in this great forum, I've standardized on using Fuji tapes for almost all my shooting (and everything I run through my new camera) I've looked, but have not seen them offer 30 min. tapes. This length is very useful when shooting short segments, filler shots etc.

Ideas?

Frank Granovski · April 30th, 2004, 01:18 PM

Just buy the 60 minute ones.

Chris Thomas · July 13th, 2004, 11:18 PM

I have had my new GL2 for 2 weeks, filmed one event on Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ tapes, about 6 hours of footage. Around hour 4 came the prompt to clean the heads!

To the internet I traveled looking for the best tape to commit and switch to (and so fortunately discovered my new favorite site here). MQ, PQ, EJ,(FU)... JVC, Sony, Fuji, hard to separate fact from fiction and opinion from reality. My ultimate decision is to go with FUJI, although I have yet to run, or purchase for that matter, the first new tape through it.

I cleaned the heads once, and unfortunately don't have the money left for any cheap cam or deck so I am using the GL2 for the edit, I have captured the footage, and will cut the final to a new tape, after the 2nd run with the head cleaner...

Is my buying decision so simple that there is indeed only ONE choice for 60min Fuji tapes? No Pro vs Consumer? Cheap vs. Pricey? Or am I simply not looking at the right stores to find what I long for?

Do I just find the cheapest Fuji's and buy buy buy as many that fit in my greedy little hands, all the while envisioning the day that I to can make it through without cleaning the heads?

Ken Tanaka · July 14th, 2004, 12:21 AM

My goodness, you're a bit existential on the subject! <g>

In fact, now that you mentioned it, I've only ever seen one grade of Fuji miniDV tape. So if you can find it at Wild Man Harry's for $3 go for it!

Richard Alvarez · July 14th, 2004, 05:16 AM

I work in a pro shop with an Xl1, all we ever shoot are fuji's.

Bob Safay · July 24th, 2004, 08:13 AM

I agree. I have used Fuji on both my XL-1, and 1s. Never had a problem. Bob

Rob Wilson · July 24th, 2004, 10:54 AM

Chris,

Seems to be fairly common that GL2's need a head cleaning shortly after you begin using them. Mine did too and it worried me at the time. Since that time, I've probably run 150hrs of tape through it and just got a second message. I don't think I would let that first clean heads msg worry you. I'm using Pany MQ's but based on the previous threads, seems most are fairly similar in performance.

On the other hand, my DSR 500 still digitizes about once an hour of shooting. Using MQ's and cleaning when requested. Frustrating!

Michael Wisniewski · July 24th, 2004, 01:40 PM

I've only used Fuji for about 6 years. Never had a problem with dirty heads <crossing fingers> As far as I know I've only seen one model of the Fuji tape.

I usually load up at B&H Photo or Pro-Tape.

* disclaimer: I've worked at the Pro-Tape booth when they do shows in New York.

Michael Wisniewski · July 24th, 2004, 02:06 PM

Just thought I'd add.

While I was working the booth this and last year, everyone was looking for either Panasonic or Sony tapes. Especially the Panasonic MQ/PQ, Sony Premiums, and Sony DV CAM.

I don't remember anyone asking for Fuji tapes.

Randy Reyes · August 8th, 2004, 09:41 AM

Hey guys. Is it okay to buy a head cleaner for my DVX from any ole store or do you guys recommend something specific from a specific store? Thanks!

Ken Tanaka · August 8th, 2004, 10:19 AM

"Any ole store" will be fine.

Alex Bornstein · November 16th, 2005, 11:56 AM

Hey all,

I was on a movie shoot today and in an unfortunate pinch, used a FujiFilm tape in the XL2. Until that moment, I'd only used Panasonic PQ tapes in the camera. The heads don't have much wear on them as the camera is fairly new, and I won't be mixing brands again...have any others been able to get away with this? I've been told that the Fujis and Panasonic tapes use a similar lubricant, but any extra info would certainly help me out :)

Thanks for the help!

Richard Alvarez · November 16th, 2005, 12:20 PM

Alex,

Fujis are good tapes, used to use them exclusively. I can't say if they are wet or dry, but I know that the Panny's are dry. Likely as not, you will be fine. Run a head cleaner through and move on.

Alex Bornstein · November 16th, 2005, 02:49 PM

Will any kind of head cleaner do, or should I get one specific brand?

Two final questions hehe:

Is it okay that I didn't run a cleaner before using the Fuji tape?

and

Some say that head cleaners can redude the life of the heads, so is this a step I can avoid if the Fujis are "dry" like the Panasonic PQs?

Thanks!

Alan Robinson · November 18th, 2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

Alex,

Fujis are good tapes, used to use them exclusively. I can't say if they are wet or dry, but I know that the Panny's are dry. Likely as not, you will be fine. Run a head cleaner through and move on.

Fuji uses a dry lubricant. We have been using Fuji tapes for several years now with no problems. I get them at the local BJ's in packs of 6 for $18 a pack.

April 30th, 2004, 12:16 PM	#16
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	Fuji 30 min. miniDV tapes Following the advice in this great forum, I've standardized on using Fuji tapes for almost all my shooting (and everything I run through my new camera) I've looked, but have not seen them offer 30 min. tapes. This length is very useful when shooting short segments, filler shots etc. Ideas?

July 13th, 2004, 11:18 PM	#18
Chris Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burlington ON, Canada Posts: 118	Too many tapes, too many opinions. But FUJI prevails... I have had my new GL2 for 2 weeks, filmed one event on Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ tapes, about 6 hours of footage. Around hour 4 came the prompt to clean the heads! To the internet I traveled looking for the best tape to commit and switch to (and so fortunately discovered my new favorite site here). MQ, PQ, EJ,(FU)... JVC, Sony, Fuji, hard to separate fact from fiction and opinion from reality. My ultimate decision is to go with FUJI, although I have yet to run, or purchase for that matter, the first new tape through it. I cleaned the heads once, and unfortunately don't have the money left for any cheap cam or deck so I am using the GL2 for the edit, I have captured the footage, and will cut the final to a new tape, after the 2nd run with the head cleaner... Is my buying decision so simple that there is indeed only ONE choice for 60min Fuji tapes? No Pro vs Consumer? Cheap vs. Pricey? Or am I simply not looking at the right stores to find what I long for? Do I just find the cheapest Fuji's and buy buy buy as many that fit in my greedy little hands, all the while envisioning the day that I to can make it through without cleaning the heads?

July 14th, 2004, 12:21 AM	#19
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	My goodness, you're a bit existential on the subject! <g> In fact, now that you mentioned it, I've only ever seen one grade of Fuji miniDV tape. So if you can find it at Wild Man Harry's for $3 go for it! __________________ 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

August 8th, 2004, 10:19 AM	#26
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	"Any ole store" will be fine. __________________ 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

November 16th, 2005, 11:56 AM	#27
Alex Bornstein New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 16	FujiFilm Tapes in a Pinch Hey all, I was on a movie shoot today and in an unfortunate pinch, used a FujiFilm tape in the XL2. Until that moment, I'd only used Panasonic PQ tapes in the camera. The heads don't have much wear on them as the camera is fairly new, and I won't be mixing brands again...have any others been able to get away with this? I've been told that the Fujis and Panasonic tapes use a similar lubricant, but any extra info would certainly help me out :) Thanks for the help!

April 30th, 2004, 01:18 PM	#17
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Just buy the 60 minute ones.

July 14th, 2004, 05:16 AM	#20
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I work in a pro shop with an Xl1, all we ever shoot are fuji's.

July 24th, 2004, 08:13 AM	#21
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,557	I agree. I have used Fuji on both my XL-1, and 1s. Never had a problem. Bob

July 24th, 2004, 10:54 AM	#22
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Chris, Seems to be fairly common that GL2's need a head cleaning shortly after you begin using them. Mine did too and it worried me at the time. Since that time, I've probably run 150hrs of tape through it and just got a second message. I don't think I would let that first clean heads msg worry you. I'm using Pany MQ's but based on the previous threads, seems most are fairly similar in performance. On the other hand, my DSR 500 still digitizes about once an hour of shooting. Using MQ's and cleaning when requested. Frustrating!

July 24th, 2004, 01:40 PM	#23
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	I've only used Fuji for about 6 years. Never had a problem with dirty heads <crossing fingers> As far as I know I've only seen one model of the Fuji tape. I usually load up at B&H Photo or Pro-Tape. * disclaimer: I've worked at the Pro-Tape booth when they do shows in New York.

July 24th, 2004, 02:06 PM	#24
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Just thought I'd add. While I was working the booth this and last year, everyone was looking for either Panasonic or Sony tapes. Especially the Panasonic MQ/PQ, Sony Premiums, and Sony DV CAM. I don't remember anyone asking for Fuji tapes.

August 8th, 2004, 09:41 AM	#25
Randy Reyes Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 54	Hey guys. Is it okay to buy a head cleaner for my DVX from any ole store or do you guys recommend something specific from a specific store? Thanks!

November 16th, 2005, 12:20 PM	#28
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Alex, Fujis are good tapes, used to use them exclusively. I can't say if they are wet or dry, but I know that the Panny's are dry. Likely as not, you will be fine. Run a head cleaner through and move on.

November 16th, 2005, 02:49 PM	#29
Alex Bornstein New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 16	Will any kind of head cleaner do, or should I get one specific brand? Two final questions hehe: Is it okay that I didn't run a cleaner before using the Fuji tape? and Some say that head cleaners can redude the life of the heads, so is this a step I can avoid if the Fujis are "dry" like the Panasonic PQs? Thanks!