I have the extraordinary opportunity to go to the Super Bowl in Tampa next weekend to cheer on the (surprisingly and suddenly good) Cardinals. Since this will be a pleasure trip as opposed to working, I have to conform to venue rules outlined by the NFL and Raymond James Stadium which state that camera lenses that exceed 10 inches in length and camera bags are prohibited in the Stadium. However, the articulated policy states that this is a guide and "not intended to be all-inclusive".
My initial reaction was "great" because the Phoenix stadium has a more stringent policy of 6-inch lenses with focal lengths under 200 mm.
Considering I'll be in "nose-bleed" territory, I thought I might bring along my D700 (or maybe the D300) with the versatile 70-300VR lens attached (carried on my R-strap). I'm not really looking to capture game action, but I'd like to get some pictures of the crowd and flavor of the event. Maybe I should consider my 24-70 mm?
But then I got concerned that someone in security would take exception to my "professional" DSLR gear and prevent me from bringing it in to the stadium. That would be a MAJOR inconvenience if that were to happen. Consequently, I went out and purchased a Canon G10 with the thought that it would simply be easier to carry with me over the course of the day (which will undoubtedly be long - arriving at the stadium ~9 AM and departing about 12 AM). Unfortunately, the G10 ain't no DSLR and just isn't nearly as satisfying as my other gear.
Would anyone care to offer up some thoughts on what to bring? I'll be leaving in a week.
I'd make sure you can bring in "pro" gear and long lenses. Many venues require credentials to bring that stuff into the stadium, a ruler is not used to make the determination. You might be limited to a G10.
I always bring my 80-400mm to stadiums. In addition, I have my D700 and often either a 50mm or a wide angle zoom. I stuff them all in my slingshot 200aw and I've never had a problem.
I find that in the mega crowds that accompany gate turnstiles, the "security" rarely cares exactly what's being allowed in. It might also be that a slingshot bag looks more amateur than other pro bags, but that's just a guess. At the worst they take a quick glance at it (donno what they're looking for) and then wave you through because they have to deal with 50,000 other people. I think once I had to wait for a guy to put a "passed" sticker on my bag.
I've even gone into Yankee stadium with this setup and they explicitly say "no bags allowed" on their website.
Obviously YMMV. Honestly, I went into the photography on the net forums (much more traffic) and read others' experiences with bringing gear into sporting events. Good luck and go Cards!
I was going to say that you should bring a P&S, but you already said you bought a G10. I think that's your best bet, just enjoy the game and get some snaps and don't sweat the absolute image quality.
poisonpill wrote:
I always bring my 80-400mm to stadiums. In addition, I have my D700 and often either a 50mm or a wide angle zoom. I stuff them all in my slingshot 200aw and I've never had a problem.
I find that in the mega crowds that accompany gate turnstiles, the "security" rarely cares exactly what's being allowed in. It might also be that a slingshot bag looks more amateur than other pro bags, but that's just a guess. At the worst they take a quick glance at it (donno what they're looking for) and then wave you through because they have to deal with 50,000 other people. I think once I had to wait for a guy to put a "passed" sticker on my bag.
I've even gone into Yankee stadium with this setup and they explicitly say "no bags allowed" on their website.
Obviously YMMV. Honestly, I went into the photography on the net forums (much more traffic) and read others' experiences with bringing gear into sporting events. Good luck and go Cards! ...Show more →
In LA, I was sent back with a D2Xs at a ball game, had to return it to my car--what a pain in the butt. BTW, I willing to bet that security will be more intense, not less. They always deal with sell outs, so the crowd size is not a factor.
I've used the G10 for less than a day, and I'm not thrilled with it. I think mostly because it simply isn't a DSLR in a small package. I've gotten used to how my gear handles and I really don't like P&S cameras because they don't work like I expect a camera to work, which to me, was ingrained when I shot film so many years ago.
While the G10 is slightly better than a typical P&S, I still notice a shutter lag and where I've adapted to the differences between a DSLR and a Film SLR, the G10 doesn't meet my expectation of what a "good" digital camera "should be". Too many dives into the menus and compromised image quality due to ISO limitations. The viewfinder isn't what I had hoped either.
So, what that means is that I have 1-week to either learn to handle and shoot the G10 better and live with the results, or plan to bring my preferred gear (D700 or D300) with at least 1 lens. I was hoping to hear from someone thats been the Super Bowl and can help set my expectations better. I've seen fans bring DSLRs into the Phoenix stadium (last Sunday's NFC championship game vs the Eagles) and would LOVE to hear from someone that has done the same at a Super Bowl (or similar media circus event).
Thankfully, I have parking permit at the stadium and do have a (less than desirable) fall-back plan of taking stuff (camera, souvenirs,etc) to my car if it's not allowed in.
Thank you to all that have posted (and stayed on topic ) and offered advice. Right now, I plan on bringing my D700/70-300 combo and checking with stadium security on Saturday to see what they might have to say. I'll bring the G10 along too, just in case.
I'm with TonyBeach. Just bring a p&s. My cousin has 8 front row seats (and 4 second row seats) at Fenway Park between home plate and the visitor's dugout. I've gone a ton of times and I haven't had nearly as much fun at the games where I brought anything bigger than a p&s. It's a pain in the butt and it's annoying to the people sitting around you when you start pointing the big dslr all over the place.
If I were going I would bring the G10 (I actually have a G9) and enjoy the game. You said you're in the nosebleed seats which would further discourage me from bringing a dslr.
Chris Noyes wrote:
I've used the G10 for less than a day, and I'm not thrilled with it. I think mostly because it simply isn't a DSLR in a small package. I've gotten used to how my gear handles and I really don't like P&S cameras because they don't work like I expect a camera to work, which to me, was ingrained when I shot film so many years ago.
While the G10 is slightly better than a typical P&S, I still notice a shutter lag and where I've adapted to the differences between a DSLR and a Film SLR, the G10 doesn't meet my expectation of what a "good" digital camera "should be". Too many dives into the menus and compromised image quality due to ISO limitations. The viewfinder isn't what I had hoped either.
So, what that means is that I have 1-week to either learn to handle and shoot the G10 better and live with the results, or plan to bring my preferred gear (D700 or D300) with at least 1 lens. I was hoping to hear from someone thats been the Super Bowl and can help set my expectations better. I've seen fans bring DSLRs into the Phoenix stadium (last Sunday's NFC championship game vs the Eagles) and would LOVE to hear from someone that has done the same at a Super Bowl (or similar media circus event).
Thankfully, I have parking permit at the stadium and do have a (less than desirable) fall-back plan of taking stuff (camera, souvenirs,etc) to my car if it's not allowed in.
Thank you to all that have posted (and stayed on topic ) and offered advice. Right now, I plan on bringing my D700/70-300 combo and checking with stadium security on Saturday to see what they might have to say. I'll bring the G10 along too, just in case....Show more →
Your expectations from the G10 are imposible. Your trying to race a frontwheel drive V6 vs a rearwheel V12. It's just a different system. If you want quick access to common contols, good lens range, great build, and something that's not going to get snagged at a checkpoint, it's hard to beat the G10.
Anyway...I've taken a 1DIII with 70-200 2.8 IS and 1.4II over my shoulder at Yankee Stadium twice(post 9/11) with no problem.
I've called ahead to my local arena(5,000-7,000 cap.) and asked about their photo policy and been told "no video". I explained what I was going to bring: a large tele lens, a smaller lens, and a big(ish) body. The response was that their only limitation was regarding video. After about 20min into the show(Blue Man Group) I was asked to stop shooting because I had "Pro Gear". Once I got over the conflicting policy I enjoyed the show.
What's the moral of the story? Don't compare point and shoot's to DSLR's and if you wan't to have a good, hassle-free time take a small(ish) camera.
I want the game to be close, but I think the Steeler's are rolling too hard.
orthopod wrote:
Bring a super tele point and shoot. the lighting should be good enough. If you havent shot with one, you would be seriously surprised...
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 is a pretty good camera, with an effective tele end of around 450mm...
Also a great choice which should be compared with the Canon SX 10. For a single use senario I would go with the SX 10 given its' larger sensor, larger zoom(28-560), dedicated video button, and swivel screen. The only thing I don't like about the SX 10 is the power supply, AA batteries.
Put the long lens in a cargo pant pocket, and stick a kit lens on the D40.
D40's are cheap.... Craigslist for $300 or try here. If you dont really want to be bothered.... wear cargo pants with big side pockets...D40 with bodycap goes in one...70-300mm goes in the other side.
Put the long lens in a cargo pant pocket, and stick a kit lens on the D40.
D40's are cheap.... Craigslist for $300 or try here. If you dont really want to be bothered.... wear cargo pants with big side pockets...D40 with bodycap goes in one...70-300mm goes in the other side.
You would probably set off the metal detector. The D40 should be fine as long as the lens isn't too big in front of it. I would say just bring the G10 and enjoy your time at once in a lifetime experience. It might be nice to take pictures of the whole thing but it is also nice to enjoy it with some fun snapshots of it. Any camera or lens you bring will not get you the shots or the range that you will need to get any action down on the field that would be worthwhile. Bring the G10.
I'm not looking to photograph game action at all. It might be nice to have a longer lens to shoot the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy and MVP award at the end of the game, but I'll be up in outer reaches of the stadium for that anyway. I want to capture "my perspective" as a long-time season ticket holder. I'll leave it to the Sports Illustrated guys to get game shots (no slight intended to the other pros out there getting paid to shoot). I mostly want to get some shots of my brother and me in the stadium, as well as other Cardinal fans enjoying the spectacle. I'm a school teacher by day, and the school yearbook editor has asked me to get some shots that can be put into our yearbook (the Cardinals training center/headquarters is less than a half-mile from our School District Office). While I would like to oblige the yearbook editor, it's not my ultimate priority.
This all sounds like I just want snap shots, and perhaps that's true to some extent, but I really don't like the performance and handling of P&S cameras. Even the G10 falls short when compared to what I've been using over the past few years. I got my gear because I want to capture what I see . . . not because I make my living from it. Based on published Stadium guidelines, cameras with lenses less than 10-inches can be brought in . . . just no camera bags.
I doubt Stadium Security will view a D40 any differently from either my D300 or D700, especially if I have a small lens mounted. I am more concerned with Security not allowing ANY slr cameras without authorization to do so.
) and offered advice. Right now, I plan on bringing my D700/70-300 combo and checking with stadium security on Saturday to see what they might have to say. I'll bring the G10 along too, just in case.