will one different tape really hurt
 

Hello,
I have only run 2 panasonic tapes through my camera and plan on just purchasing them in the future. A friend just gave me 2 brand new tdk tapes for free. Will it really hurt my tape heads if I use these tdk tapes and then keep using Panasonic ones after that? Thanks,

You'll be just fine, Dave. I really wouldn't sweat it. Have fun!

TDK has stated they have no evidence this problem exists.

I have just learnt this when I posted the same sort of question to another sectin of this site. The problem with using different tapes is that manfacturers use different types of lubrication for their tapes and some mixes of different lubrication will congeal on the heads. All you need to do to ensure this doesn`t happen is make sure you clean your heads regularly with cleaning tape and make sure you clean before changing your tape brand.

It seems the lubricants thing is a myth, applies only to really old tapes. Now all brands use the same kind of lubricants, according to Adam Wilt.