What exactly is gaffer tape?

[dark_fusion]

Hello!

I was looking at a lens being resold in penisular today and noticed it had some sorta tape on it, the shop person said it was gaffer tape. I asked if it was the same as duck tape and he wasnt sure. I noticed it had kinda a rough texture so is it the same as those rough cloth tapes that I can get at the hardware stores? Thanks!

 

[Snoweagle]

Hello!

I was looking a lens being resold in penisular today and noticed it had some sorta tape on it, the shop person said it was gaffer tape. I asked if it was the same as duck tape and he wasnt sure. I noticed it had kinda a rough texture so is it the same as those rough cloth tapes that I can get at the hardware stores? Thanks!

Gaffer tapes are commonly used to protect DSLR bodies and now as a design statement on lens. Gaffer tapes usually have a textured surface to provide grip. Now these come in various designs, colour and material to enhance the look, similar to Gmask wraps for handphones.

FYI they're not the same as duct tapes.

 

[dark_fusion]

Oh okay so gaffer tapes refer to those kinda rough texture tapes I can get at any hardware store right?

 

[mybearbrick]

Oh okay so gaffer tapes refer to those kinda rough texture tapes I can get at any hardware store right?

allow me to point u in the right direction:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=2781409&postcount=33
the cutest gaffer i have seen till date

 

[arpinkor]

One important feature of gaffer tape is that it does not leave that sticky residue when you pull it off. It is NOT the duct tape you can buy in hardware stores. If you stick duct tape onto your equipment, a year or two down the road, if you want to peel it off, you are going to be left with a horrible sticky mess to deal with.

 

[frenchbean]

Here's the definition of gaffer tape according to Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape

Gaffer tape traditionally used to be used in the movie/video industries to tidy up wires and stuff in the studio or stage, hence the name gaffer, but I guess gaffer tapes have found a new usage among photographers, which is to wrap up your camera and accessories like a mummy so as to protect it from wear and tear.

 

[Pablo]

Someone I know in the Airforce here used to call it 100mph tape.

This came from tests that found that a piece of the tape would peel off a wing above 100mph :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

True...

I don't know how wide spread the term became, but it was common at the barracks he was at.

Cheers

 

[Scaglietti]

Someone I know in the Airforce here used to call it 100mph tape.

This came from tests that found that a piece of the tape would peel off a wing above 100mph :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

True...

I don't know how wide spread the term became, but it was common at the barracks he was at.

Cheers

Hmmm... maybe can try that on my car along the NS highway...:think:

BC

 

[Caspere]

One important feature of gaffer tape is that it does not leave that sticky residue when you pull it off. It is NOT the duct tape you can buy in hardware stores. If you stick duct tape onto your equipment, a year or two down the road, if you want to peel it off, you are going to be left with a horrible sticky mess to deal with.

The so-called important feature is not true. Ask those who use it often.

If the feature is no longer a feature, isn't it just like a normal tape?

 

[ortega]

tape commonly used by gaffers

i would suppose it has another name

 

[arpinkor]

The so-called important feature is not true. Ask those who use it often.

If the feature is no longer a feature, isn't it just like a normal tape?

I dunno bout what other people are using or calling gaffer tape, but the kind of tape I use doesn't leave residue, even after a long time.

 

[Caspere]

I dunno bout what other people are using or calling gaffer tape, but the kind of tape I use doesn't leave residue, even after a long time.

In that case, looks like there are FAKE gaffer tapes in the market, considering the gaffers are so much more expensive.

 

[Artosoft]

Analogy gaffer tape and camera is ==> mummy... :sweat: .

Regards,
Arto.

 

[zac08]

In that case, looks like there are FAKE gaffer tapes in the market, considering the gaffers are so much more expensive.

I believe it's more on different qualities.. some are better... some aren't

 

[Snoweagle]

Oh okay so gaffer tapes refer to those kinda rough texture tapes I can get at any hardware store right?

No. There are other tapes which have rough surfaces. Gaffer tapes are different.

 

[dark_fusion]

No. There are other tapes which have rough surfaces. Gaffer tapes are different.

Ohhh interesting stuff gaffer tape think I'll need some

Hmm but judging from wat I've read so far it seems no where in sg sells gaffer tape :sweat: ...anyone know of any online merchants that we can order off?

 

[sammy888]

Okay maybe this is abit OT...

But this all seem to come one full circle about gaffers. heheh.. I remember sometime ago, people use gaffer to conceal the brand/component of their gear to avoid it being identify as expensive gear..tempting shady fiends stealing them. It was like commando camoflauge for photography.

But looking at some of the loub zany cartoon motif printed gaffer tape today like the one I saw at CP, showcased in their window, it is shouting..."TAKE A LOOK AT ME and TRY TO STEAL ME"!!

heeeeee......

 

[Snoweagle]

Ohhh interesting stuff gaffer tape think I'll need some

Hmm but judging from wat I've read so far it seems no where in sg sells gaffer tape :sweat: ...anyone know of any online merchants that we can order off?

U can try camera shops like CP.

 

[fantome07]

i went to cp today and they dunt know wat is it. i have to explain and finally he say dunt haf. how ah?

 

[Snoweagle]

i went to cp today and they dunt know wat is it. i have to explain and finally he say dunt haf. how ah?

CP staff dunno what's gaffer tape??!! :bigeyes: