Can anyone shed some light on what is or is not acceptable taking equipment to professional sporting events and special events like concerts. I would really like to take my one of my setups into an event and shoot. I have never tried to take it in , in fear of them sending me away and missing an event or worse yet, having to leave 5K worth of equipment in the car in the parking lot. Then.... I see images from some of my friends who have taken professional equipment right past the gates without question and they get some great shots. So what the story? Whats your experience! Can I take it in or not?
From what I can tell each stadium's policies are different. I remember reading (maybe on this site) that certain stadiums have size restrictions like your lens can't be longer than 6" or something to that effect, but your best bet is just to check with each stadium.
it is not always the arena or stadium. You might be ok taking a 70-200 2.8 and a pro body into the Staples Center for a Clippers game, but the Lakers may not allow it, or if the Lakers allow it, Alice in Chains may not allow it for the concert the following night. Basically, you need to check everywhere before you take your gear. Check the websites of the teams, arena, artist, ticket agency and if you still can not find a good answer (by good I mean understandable) then call the venue and ask to speak to someone about ticketed fans bringing cameras in.
I looked at the local venues here in Denver. I guess the final decision is, that there really is no final decision........ and that it really does depend on the event, concert or subjects you may or may not be photographing. So I guess its not out of the question to take equipment, but its noteworthy to call the venue prior to going.
Do any of you try to get anything in writing before you try to get in ... just in case you get that one gate guy that dosen't know the status of camera equipment for the event?
I get a 70-200 w/2x into Yankee stadium the website says STILL CAMERAS ONLY.
I got a look be the security guard by they didn't refuse. Check the sites and it should also be printed on the back of the ticket if they don't allow.
I tried to get in to a A-League game (in Adelaide, Australia) the other week with my 40D + 70-200 2.8 + 1.4x + monopod and was denied at the gate as they classified it as professional kit I went to a different gate, and just flashed the inside of the bag, they didn't see anything and I went in.
Everyone seems to be different. I'm trying to get media access in future... which seems impossible, but we'll see.
I'm going to be attending my first Yankee game in May. I really want to take my 1d III with 70-200 f4. I'm thinking I will be able to get in without a problem (after reading a bunch of posts about this). I'm more worried about the walk from the parking garage to the stadium and then back to the garage after the game.
Scott Gilbert wrote:
I'm going to be attending my first Yankee game in May. I really want to take my 1d III with 70-200 f4. I'm thinking I will be able to get in without a problem (after reading a bunch of posts about this). I'm more worried about the walk from the parking garage to the stadium and then back to the garage after the game.
Yankee Stadium Baseball rules:
CAMERAS & VIDEO EQUIPMENT
Single-frame flash photography is allowed. All forms of video and motion-picture cameras are strictly prohibited. Guests are also forbidden to use lighting or camera support pods at the Stadium. Please note: Fans are not permitted to reproduce or rebroadcast any film of Yankees games for commercial purposes without the prior written permission of the Yankees and Major League Baseball.
But as Carl wrote, call first. If you're uncomfortable walking with your equipment to/from the stadium, how would you feel about leaving it in your car while you watch the game?
Rob Scriva wrote:
Everyone seems to be different. I'm trying to get media access in future... which seems impossible, but we'll see.
How do you go about getting a media access pass? I might be able to get one for some rally events simply because I personally know the organizer but when it comes to any other type of professional sport, I have no idea how to get one.
Work for the media... no idea about how stringent baseball (and all other big US sports) are - I would assume very! - but the idea is that press passes are given to people and organisations who are there to work.
This carries to music events - in my experience, they're even more tightly controlled, as PR companies are paranoid about their band's image - some to a ridiculous degree! It will vary by venue, by act, by PR company, and by the level of communication amongst venue staff - there may be no problem with anyone in the band or PR people, but a security guard may have missed the info, and deny you access. The reality is, without a photo pass, there are no guarantees.
I've not known anyone who I've shot with that's got a photo pass for a large gig without the backing of some sort of publication - I suppose knowing people involved would be another way. At gigs, it's first three, no flash, and then out anyway most of the time, so you might not even get to stay for the whole show with a photo pass.
I went to a different gate, and just flashed the inside of the bag, they didn't see anything and I went in.