flyhy 0 #1 April 24, 2004 My PC105 (8 months old) f***ed up when I was rewinding my standard TDK tape. It wouldn't read any footage anymore as if the tape was a blank one. I checked the tape in a different camera and it worked but no other tapes would work in my 105! I was just about to get it fixed... but then I tried my friends tape (Sony Premium) because he told me they clean the heads inside the camera when you take them out. So I took one of his tapes and tried to play it... nothing... took it out, put it back in, took it out again, etc. about 10 times... and suddenly all my tapes including the TDK ones work fine again...! That's strange aye, I've never heard of such a big difference between tapes before, thought it's just brand names..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #2 April 24, 2004 Yes, there is a big difference in brand names when it comes to tapes. I won't play anything but Sony tapes in my cameras and have never had a problem. There are different coatings from tape to tape and perhaps your TDK left alot of deposits on the play heads of your camera...in a sense, gunking it up. Try using a tape head cleaner and upgrading tapes to something a bit more 'clean' in the future. At least that's my take on the subject. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motherhucker 0 #3 April 24, 2004 save your TDK tapes because they're useful if you ever run out of toilet paper. They do Chaff a bit, and if you're really hairy down there that may present a problem also. The general equation works like this: Sony camera=Sony tapes--ONLY Panasonic cam=Pana tapes--ONLY No matter which camera you use you should clean your heads regularly with a specific head cleaning tape. Also, the problem you describe could haapen due to excessive moisture in the camera. I recommend keeping your gear in a pelican type case (closed) and get a bunch of Silica packs that should live at the bottom of said case to suck out any excess moisture. Camera condoms are a good way to increase the life of your heads also. mh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #4 April 26, 2004 Hey Lori, I've heard some horror stories about the gunk (binder?) from different tape brands reacting and setting like epoxy on heads. This is terminal and beyond economic repair in most cases. I thought the problem was largely solved now, and the main culprit appreared to be.....Sony tapes! NB this normally only ocurred when you mixed Sony tapes with other brands. For what its worth I've used Panasonics almost exclusively in both my Sony cam, and my Sony portable deck, with very few problems. Anyways, its not a good idea to change brands willy nilly, find a brand and stick to them. Clean the heads with a proper head cleaner, but not unless you are getting dropouts, blanks, or unusual camera performance. Don't overclean, and follow the instructions that come with the cleaner tape. Pelican cases rock, they are built like an Aggie's truck, and can take much more abuse. They are even pressure tight, so if you close them in a dry atmosphere there should be absolutely no condensation, until you open the box........-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #5 April 26, 2004 Yes, mixing tape brands is the worst scenario. IMHO, a camera should be subjected to the BEST brand and not depart from it. From my experience, Sony tapes have never given me -any- problems to date. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psw097 0 #6 April 26, 2004 I just repaired a PC100 that wouldn't play any tapes. A small piece of plastic - it looked like the nub that holds the cassette door on - broke off and worked itself into the mechanical section. I found it after disassembly. 2 years ago I repairs my camera after a single grain of sand jammed up the capstan motor. The mechanical sections of the Sony cameras are very open to contamination. Lots of time just cycling them will clear the crud. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbs66 0 #7 April 26, 2004 I remember when i bought my pc105... the guy said never use ... it was either fuji or panasonic... cant remember.. .but the reason was they leave crap on your heads and you have to get it cleaned quite frequently... stick with sony... it safer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
