Taking your gear to pro sports events..

[Shocknawe]

Has anyone ran into problems doing so? Taking in their camera and a long telephoto to a NFL,MLB,NHL or like wise game? Just curious because I'll be attending some events this year and I'd like to get some good photos but a buddy of mine got the "riot act" last year at a NFL game about being press and what not and they almost didn't let him in with out paying extra for being press...they basically made an assumption at face value of what he had in his bag. The end state was they did let him in, maybe his little boy was the convincing factor that he was just a fan with a good camera and he did get some great shots from his endzone seats.

 

[Insanity]

Only taken my camera to one event, and the stadium set the rules. I couldn't have a lens longer than 6 inches. They didn't even look twice at my camera, had the kit lens and a canon Xs

From what I hear, it seems like the security is the problem. If you get a nice guy, you're free and clear. Get an uptight guy and you're gonna have problems.

 

[Overread]

It really will pay to review the venue details before you go as different places will have different policies. You are likley to find that there are limitations especailly if you turn up with a DSLR - the press pay a lot to shoot professional shots so they have to protect that aspect as well as limit the chances of someone having a massive camera in the stands.

 

[Kenny32]

I almost got kicked out of a UConn basketball game 2 years ago for having a "professional" lens. It was a 70-300 4.5-5.6 on my D50, which is half the size of my current setup.

On the flip side, I brought my D300 (took the grip off) and my 80-200 F/2.8 into Yankee Stadium for World Series Game Two with no issues. I actually struck up conversation with one of the ushers.

I think the issues are with the indoor sports (basketball, hockey, etc) rather than the outdoor sports for whatever reason.

 

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Get press credentials and it is much easier. I volunteer/ freelance at a local paper and my id from there helps allot.

Seriously though it is the security that gets direction from the venue itself. Unless I am going as a paid photog I don't even bother with the big gear anymore. I grab my daughter's pocket camera and just go enjoy myself.

 

[icassell]

Most professional sports venues have 'fine print' that tells you that certain photographic equipment is not allowed. A lot depends, however, on the guy who stops you at the gate. Some are more picky than others. Bringing in a big telephoto is almost certain to raise eyebrows. I was able to talk my way into a Diamondbacks game with my 300mm f/4, but couldn't get anything at all into the Prescott Rodeo. I brought my Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 into a Suns game in the pocket of my cargo jeans (the 50mm f/1.8 was mounted on the camera). I also brought my 1.4x TC.

I'm pretty sure that 200-500mm of yours would cause grief at a lot of places.

 

[Dominantly]

How do you go about getting a press pass?

 

[fokker]

How do you go about getting a press pass?

Self portrait + laminated plastic card and a bit of computer work

 

[IgsEMT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly
How do you go about getting a press pass?


Self portrait + laminated plastic card and a bit of computer work ;-)

got samples ?

 

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Press passes: real ones are not that hard to obtain.

Donate some time at your local community paper and get them to endorse you for the state press credentials. It cost about $50 a year but gets you into allot of places.

I also have a black shirt with event photographer on it and a letter from my paper asking me to take pictures.

And lastly if you just act like you are supposed to be there, then the $2 hr security guard will back off. Of course you really can't be trying to go in with your kids at this time though.

Do it legitimately and they will back down. I had one venue where they were giving me grief, so I had to have the TV crew there filming the crowds, vouch for me and finally I was allowed in. The broadcast and print community all knows each other and we help each other out. So again go volunteer with a paper and snap some pictures for them. Heck go to local football games and cover them for trade of the credentials.

 

[jchin]

I heard that they don't allow those Canon white lenses into the games.

 

[epp_b]

I couldn't have a lens longer than 6 inches.

Use a mirror lens :mrgreen:

 

[Opher]

I couldn't have a lens longer than 6 inches.

Use a mirror lens :mrgreen:

Thats what i was thinking!!!:er:

 

[henkelphoto]

There are some misconceptions here. First off, as a rule, the media doesn't "pay" for access to sporting events. Occasionally, it is necessary to purchase a ticket just like the paying public, but these occasions are few and far between.

What media credentials (we don't use the term "press pass" much anymore) allows you to do is get access to the field or baseline or holes in the glass, etc. As a newspaper photographer you will receive the creds at the paper and when you go to the game, you will need to have these creds prominently displayed (usually a big tag on a chain around your neck). You may or may not have to wear a photo vest provided by the venue.

Why there is special access for the media is that the venue appreciates what the media can provide them, which is publicity. As a courtesy, they provide access free of charge and allow the media to photograph the game from areas that give the best possible images.

With the exception of small, hometown games, media creds are not that easy to get. Bear in mind, creds give you access to the field, baseline, etc., as well as press room areas.

Most venues for professional games have their own creds so any kind of "state press credentials" won't help. As for that, where I live, there are no general creds issued by the local police or state-wide organizations at all. These credentials are requested by the media outlet and, in most cases, must be made by the photo editor or managing editor of the media outlet, sometimes months in advance. Depending on the venue, they may just say that the media outlet isn't big enough and deny credentialing totally.

On the original question, the reason venues refuse to allow "big" lenses is due to the photographer being able to post photos without their consent on the web. Right or wrong (personally, I think it's silly) that is what they are worried about. Since the security officers seldom know what constitutes "professional" gear, they just make a designation, such as no six-inch long lenses, and stand on that. Obviously, if you can talk your way around a security guard, so much the better.

Jerry

 

[the iconic image]

If you ever needed a good reason not to participate in this forum, this topic and most of it's responses would be all you would need. There isn't one response from anyone who has EVER covered a professional sporting event anywhere. This amateur discussion is at best, embarrassing.

the Iconic Image