I finally got around to watching a vhs concert I bought in a garage sale this summer. It was the U2 Live at Red Rocks concert from 1983.

The tape was in very good shape. I don't know when the physical tape was actually made nor how often it was watched.

But regardless my question is about light burn in on the cameras. I think I've seen it in other "vintage" concert footage from other singers but I can't remember which one right now.

The concert was at night and outdoors. The camera would whip around a bit and there was visible light streaking. It happened quite a bit during the concert. You could actually see the pattern that was left by the light itself on the screen.

I haven't dubbed it so I don't have a screen shot to post. I suppose I could just find a spot and take a still with a camera and post that.

But does anyone know what I'm talking about? There would be a trail effect from a light source and that image was left over after it was out of the shot.

Mind you so far as i know this was a 100% official production. It had credits and everything. It even had a helicopter flyover. I am certain as I can be this was a real tape.

So what would cause this burn in on cameras from the early 80s? I guess these were probably tv cameras not film cameras? Would that do it? If it was shot on film would it still have exhibited this phenomenon?