Ban on Equipment at Local Attraction

[Shadowman]

Professional video, camera, tripods and monopods are banned; might as well said "photographers" as I can't enjoy an event if I can't capture it.

[Rent]

What was the attraction ?
Roy

[Shadowman]

What was the attraction? Supposedly the ban is only for special events such as this weekend's 4th of July celebration.
Roy

https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/
https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/thi...h-celebration/

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[IzzieK]

We live in dangerous times at the moment...

Like you I cannot enjoy anything I go to when my camera isn't with me. I had my camera last night and just for once I opted not to use it seeing we came late and was in the wrong spot for firework watching. I was bored as hell and stayed glued to my chair so I don't get into trouble.

[rpcrowe]

John,

I agree with you and Izzie in that I really don't enjoy attending events unless I can photograph them...

There are many reasons, some valid and some not so valid, that event promoters do not allow some photo equipment.

Our local county fair doesn't allow tripods. And that, IMO, is valid. The fair is extremely crowded and setting up a tripod could be dangerous as a tripping hazard. A local model railroad museum also forbids tripods for the same reason. However, occasionally my photo club is allowed in early and allowed to use tripods since we are the only people attending.

Other events, such as football games, do not want photographers who are not authorized to shoot. I think that is pretty murky as a reason. Especially, since you often cannot get a straight answer as to what equipment, if any, is allowed.

The worse thing (and this has happened to me at a college bowl game) that can happen is to be assured on the telephone that there is no restriction as to equipment and then have the ticket taker at the gate refuse you entrance with your camera. There are only two solutions to that: leave the event without attending or go back to your vehicle and leave the equipment, hoping that no one has targeted you along the way for a car break-in.

The San Diego Poinsettia Bowl football game has no equipment restrictions but, requests that you limit your photography to pre-game and half-time activities and don't shoot the action. That confuses me but, since I really don't care about shooting sports from the stands, it really doesn't bother me. HOWEVER, after having problems taking my camera into another bowl game, I did not take one to the Poinsettia Bowl. For this I was sorry since the U.S. Naval Academy was playing and the march on of the Corps of Midshipmen was very photogenic.

I do want to attend a University of Southern California (gold and scarlet) vs University of California, Los Angeles (gold and powder blue) night game and take my Tokina 12-24mm and my 8mm fish eye lenses. My aims would be:

1. to see the game since I have graduated from a cinema program at USC
2. to shoot images of the crowd - especially from the "nosebleed seats" at one corner of the stadium. That is always filled with USC folks on one side and UCLA rooters on another side. The colors are spectacular...

I don't think here will be any problems with a wide angle lens because the security folks usually differentiate a "PROFESSIONAL" camera from any other by the length of the lens...

The problem with football games is that my wife likes football - but only on television. She is very short in stature and cannot really see the game from the stands. So, I don't go to games either...

[Mike Buckley]

The policy of Nationals Park, home of Washington Nationals baseball games and other events:

"Guests are permitted to bring cameras and video equipment into Nationals Park, provided that they are for personal use only. Cameras with a lens longer than eight (8) inches may not be brought into Nationals Park, except by credentialed media. Filming of any game footage is strictly prohibited by Major League Baseball. While taking photographs, guests are not permitted to stand in the aisles, portals or walkways, or to obstruct others from viewing the game. Monopods, tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted in Nationals Park."

[Mike Buckley]

I very rarely take my camera to an event, as I thoroughly enjoy lots and lots of life while not photographing it.

[Shadowman]

Izzie, Richard, and Mike,

For me the need to take a camera is event specific, for instance when I participated in a Corporate Challenge (5K) I was more concerned with tripping over my own feet and that of my co-runners; I did bring one of those 360 cameras about the size of an iPhone. Local hockey and baseball teams allow cameras, NFL team does not. Like Mrs. Crowe I prefer to view football on television; so no love loss there. What was so impractical about the fireworks ban is that the restricted area only covered so many square feet of real estate, it was as if the boardwalk/stage area was considered premium location and now that I think about it that is where the corporate sponsors booths were.

[Ken MT]

Cameras with a lens longer than eight (8) inches may not be brought into Nationals Park, except by credentialed media.

Um, is that before the zoom lens is zoomed out?

[rpcrowe]

Cameras with a lens longer than eight (8) inches may not be brought into Nationals Park, except by credentialed media.

Um, is that before the zoom lens is zoomed out?

You have a valid point. Obviously the writer of this rule did not do his or her home work. I also wonder how the 8-inch limit was arrived at.

[Mike Buckley]

The question in my mind is not whether the length of the lens has to do with its measurement when it is zoomed to its longest state; the questions are whether anyone checking the lens will have the forethought to extend the lens to its longest state before measuring it and whether the person using the lens will violate the obvious spirit of the rule by attempting to take a lens into the facility that is shorter than 8 inches at its shortest length though longer than that at its fully extended length.

By the way, my 300mm prime lens is more than 9 inches long with its retractable lens hood fully retracted.

[LePetomane]

That type of situation used to bother me but it does not so much any more. Here's why. I do a lot of fly fishing in some beautiful areas. I do a lot of hiking through areas with big animals (moose, bear, elk) and it requires a lot of gear. I take a small pack with food, water, GPS, large handgun and fishing gear. No room for a camera larger than a point & shoot. If I took a larger camera it would create a dilemma for me. Photography or fishing. This way I can focus on one thing.

[Shadowman]

Local attraction already generating negative feedback with new policy as attendees turned away for size of purses. I'm sure it'll be met with deaf ears.

[Pippan]

P

Professional video, camera, tripods and monopods are banned; might as well said "photographers" as I can't enjoy an event if I can't capture it.

'Professional' cameras, eh! What do they profess?

[Shadowman]

P
'Professional' cameras, eh! What do they profess?

For still camera probably a DSLR body, for video I don't think you can really distinguish unless by size by body. I'm sure a mirrorless with P & S body could get through security and maybe a bridge camera. Might have to test out the theory.