Gaffer tape or filter holder ?

[bnnrcn]

I'm reading a book about landscapes by Tim Fitzharris and he says he doesn't use a filter holder and he uses duct or gaffer tape to attach the filter(s) directly to the lens . He says this allows greater versatility when using two or more filters at a time. So I wonder if anybody in CIC uses this method .Is it easy and practical or is it difficult and risky?

[Mike Buckley]

If you're using a tripod and the camera is on it before the filters are being attached, the tape should work fine. I'm such a klutz that I would never try taping filters to the camera in any other situation.

I've never used duct tape but a big advantage of gaffer's tape is that it leaves no residue. If duct tape leaves it, that would be bad.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you Mike. It sounds practical, no filter holders, no adapter rings. I inquired about duct tape and it is not easy to use because of the residue you mentioned, but gaffer tape seems ok

[Mike Buckley]

You won't need any scissors when using the gaffer's tape; it tears easily on a straight line both in its length and width.

[Manfred M]

Binnur - I use gaffers tape and while it has a lot of uses, I would never use it to hold filters. The main issue is that it is a pain to apply and remove the filter, so if you change your mind or want to adjust things, it simply take a lot longer to place and remove a filter. By that time I could have missed the shot.

Perhaps if I were planning to shoot all day with the same setup (which I never do), I might consider it. On the other hand, I can stack 3 (four if you count my polarizer) on my filter holder, and other than a bit of vignetting at the widest angle, I've never seen a downside in using it. I have hand-held two stacked filters without a holder in front of a lens (without a lens hood), I find that a more suitable solution.

[AB26]

Binnur,

Trust me, I’ve been there, got the T-Shirt, duct/gaffer tape on a lens – not a good idea!

[bnnrcn]

Thank you Manfred and Andre. I didn't know that gaffer tape could be used for attaching filters to the camera before reading the book. But I underastand from your comments that it is not very practical. I haven't bought any GND filters yet but I might buy in the following months after buying a new camera. Then I think it is better to buy the filters with a filter holder. But first I have to decide if I will shoot landscapes and sunsets continuously. Good filters are really expensive and I don't want to spend money on them if they won't be used.

I really like CIC, since I joined CIC I have really been feeling comfortable because there are always people helping and correcting my mistakes. Thanks again

[Mike Buckley]

gaffer tape on a lens – not a good idea!

If you mean attaching it to the barrel of the lens or camera body, I've done it often. It works like a charm and leaves no residue.

I'm not comparing it to using a filter holder as it has been decades since I've used one. I'm only saying that attaching gaffer's tape to the metal and plastic parts of a camera system definitely sticks without leaving residue.

[drjuice]

I wouldn't and don't use gaffer tape to attach anything I ever wanted to use again to any "sensitive" device such as camera lenses or bodies. I keep a roll of 3M blue painter's tape in my camera bag for those occasions when tape is required and it works just fine for me.

[Mike Buckley]

Virginia's suggestion of painter's tape is considerably less expensive.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you Virginia, I don't know what 3M blue painter's tape is but I will google it

I wouldn't and don't use gaffer tape to attach anything I ever wanted to use again to any "sensitive" device such as camera lenses or bodies. I keep a roll of 3M blue painter's tape in my camera bag for those occasions when tape is required and it works just fine for me.

[krispix]

I'm reading a book about landscapes by Tim Fitzharris and he says he doesn't use a filter holder and he uses duct or gaffer tape to attach the filter(s) directly to the lens . He says this allows greater versatility when using two or more filters at a time. So I wonder if anybody in CIC uses this method .Is it easy and practical or is it difficult and risky?

I don't know Tim Fitzharris, but if that's a method he's advocating then he'll go on my list of authors to NEVER consider.
Where to start? Discounting the obvious problem of residue, we have the difficulty of tearing the tape to the size/shape you want. Then the problems of the tape folding back on itself at a critical moment, getting stuck to your fingers or, worse, to the face of your lens/filter. The tape will almost inevitably end up across the focus or zoom ring. If you're using a grad and the lens in use turns the front barrel when focussing ... Well, I'll just leave that to your imagination!
I can't believe this is going to be a quicker method of attaching filters and fail to see how this improves versatility.
But, for me the biggest problem will be how do you ensure the face of the filter is perfectly aligned with the focal plane? Because if it isn't you're opening up a world of distortion and light scatter, because you won't be able to fit a lens hood over layers sticky tape.
I'm sorry Mr Fitzharris, if this method had any credence it would be widely used by pros and top amateurs and the fact is, it's not. For good reason.
Throw away your roll of Gaffer tape and use the space in your camera bag for something more useful, like a filter holder!

[Manfred M]

Throw away your roll of Gaffer tape and use the space in your camera bag for something more useful, like a filter holder!

NO! Sorry, Gaffer's tape is probably the most useful tool in my camera bag. While I don't see the advantage of taping a filter to my lens, it has many other uses. Based on your writing; I suspect you have never used any as the reason it is used is that it does not leave any residue on any of your gear or anyplace you apply it to.

Based on your comments; I suspect you have never used any. It keeps cables and wires in place, holds together make-shift snoots and relectors. Duct tape for photographers and videographers is probably the best description for it. Try it, you might even find a use for it...

[Mike Buckley]

Gaffer's tape is probably the most useful tool in my camera bag.

I don't keep it in my camera bag but I rarely take a photo in my makeshift studio that doesn't involve the use of gaffer's tape.

[Mike Buckley]

if that's a method he's advocating then he'll go on my list of authors to NEVER consider.

I can't think of anything shy of extreme immorality that would cause me to never consider a particular author. That's because I can surely learn something from everyone.

[Loose Canon]

Um, gaffer tape does leave residue and I have cleaned it enough not to be sucked in otherwise (I too fell for the old "and it never leaves residue" scam). There is also plenty of questions on the internet asking how to clean it so apparently I am not alone in this experience.

It doesn't always, and not on all surfaces, and I use it, but it will leave residue just the same. I have a bunch of electrical cable right now that my hand sticks to to prove it!

Painter's tape is the only thing I have found that to date has not left residue. It is not as tough as gaffer, not as adhesive, but I can use it and peel it off foam board without tearing the paper!

There is not even the slightest chance that gaffer tape will ever see my glass or camera body, or any of my lights (heat) or anything that might be too sensitive to use solvent on for if/when it does leave residue.

Oh, and did I mention that the reason most often given for gaff tape "not leaving residue" is because it uses a petroleum based glue rather than the traditional rubber based glue.

Just the thing to be putting on your high $$ sensitive gear!

[Manfred M]

I can't think of anything shy of extreme immorality that would cause me to never consider a particular author. That's because I can surely learn something from everyone.

I quite agree Mike; learning from other's mistakes (or in this case, using a technique I wouldn't use) is often even more valuable than receiving "good" advice. The issue in reading (or listening to) advice is that it should never be taken verbatim, but looked at in terms of one's own practices and workflows.

Steal shamelessly, if the ideas work for you, but trash them if they do not. Just because you read it in a book (or on a website) does not mean it necessarily make it so...

[Mike Buckley]

Interesting, Terry. I've never had gaffer's tape leave any residue, though I've never used it on electrical cable. The only problem I've had with it is the issue that you mentioned about removing the outermost layer of foam core and gator board. Considering that those areas are never part of the scene, that has never concerned me.

What is the danger of putting a petroleum-based adhesive on camera gear? I'm not a chemist or chemical engineer (if that's a category), so I have no idea why petroleum would potentially cause damage.

[Manfred M]

Interesting Terry, as I've had painter's tape rip off the paint and even some of the paper layer on painted drywall. I've never seen any residue on anything from gaffer's tape (although in theory, I suspect there has to be a tiny bit).

I wonder, as with anything else, there are different quality levels out there and different manufacturers use different adhesive compounds. I suspect the issue with the wires might be a caused by a chemical interaction with the plasticizers in the PVC on the cables. There is a release agent used during cable manufacturing to ensure that the wire does not stick to the extrusion die, and that could certainly be interacting with the adhesives in the tape.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you Chris and Terry for commenting

Chris, Tim Fitzharris has a lot of books about photography. The book I'm reading was recommended by one of the members in CIC when I started a thread asking for recommendation about some books. I ordered it with some other books about photography and I am going to read all of them. I agree with Mike and Manfred that there is always something to learn from other people. Thank you for warning about the negative points of the method.