Special Photo Passes for Sea World/Sand Diego Zoo?

[lilminijpc]

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick question, for those of you who've gone to either Sea World or San Diego Zoo, CA, did you need to get a special pass in order to bring your camera gear i.e.) a large telephoto lens, etc? If so, how did you get the pass?

I know how it can be a hassle to have to deal with security personnel just because you have a setup that's not a P&S and they get paranoid.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great.
Thanks! :)

[stathunter]

Some places, and I do not know about the locations you mentioned but if you are not shooting for a media source, some places will make you sign a photo release and restrict what you can do with your photos.

[cory1848]

Seaworld in Orlando and Disney dont care at all. Tripods might be an issue but I have never brought mine so I cant attest to that. Seen many togs walking around with the big white L's on. I do know that you cant perform a commercial shoot in the parks. Disney no longer allows outside photogs in the park commercially.

I would just call their guest services department and ask them.

[dazzlebea]

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick question, for those of you who've gone to either Sea World or San Diego Zoo, CA, did you need to get a special pass in order to bring your camera gear i.e.) a large telephoto lens, etc? If so, how did you get the pass?

I know how it can be a hassle to have to deal with security personnel just because you have a setup that's not a P&S and they get paranoid.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great.
Thanks! :)

You will see more DSLRs with long lenses than P&Ss :) No passes needed for us amateurs.

[Laramie]

I walked into the San Diego Zoo with my Tamrac Expedition 8 (aka...BIG bag). They didn't search or take another look. I walked around most of the day with my 70-200 2.8L and 400 5.6L and nobody said a word...except "wow look at that camera!"

[form]

I've seen really big sigmas like the 50-500 or something similar inside san diego zoo and noone had any issue with it. I assume they're camera-friendly there.

[equetefue]

I use to carry a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 to sea world orlando no problem

[evorgsumaf]

Having season passes to both places listed above, I can tell you for sure (unless they changed it last week) that you can take just about anything into either venue. I always carry my 70-200 2.8 is and nothing is said except for, as stated above, "wow look at that camera".

[Calicajun]

Most place won't give you any trouble as long as you not causing a problem for the park.
Only time I have had problem was last month at the Prim Casino, I was taking pictures of a car used by Al Capone. One guard keep coming up and asking me what I was doing. I ended up having a second (he was just passing by) guard call for a manager. The manager had the first guard moved to a different area, guess the manager didn't like the guards reason for bothering me either. The guards reasons "we're not use to seeing such fancy camera equipment here."

[ryant35]

Sea World, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, I went to all 3 with big lenses and no problems at all. At the Wild Animal Park I was carrying my 40D, 70-200mm f/2.8 & 300mm f/2.8.

No comments from any employees at all. Their websites do mention that you can't use your photos for commercial use.

[Dawn U]

I can second (or 3rd?) what was said above - San Diego Zoo does not seem to care.

[lilminijpc]

cool, thanks everyone for your responses! :) :)

[Bubble]

i brough with me the 500IS/600IS to both SD zoo and problem at all.

[darktiger]

I brought my 70-200 to Seaworld San Antonio without any problems. In fact the person looking trough my bag said "nice lens".

[lilminijpc]

hi everyone,
i figured i'd post an update on my trip to San Diego. security actually didn't check my backpack when i went to SDZ, which was s surprise. i hadn't read the updates about SW so i opted to just bring my P&S there & i also didn't want to get some unwanted water splashes on my camera. :) either way, it was a lot of fun! really wish i lived closer... oh well.

enjoy! thanks again! :):):)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2848909130_55882137f0.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2846119619_e8f46414e2.jpg?v=0

[JWright]

Sea World, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park, I went to all 3 with big lenses and no problems at all. At the Wild Animal Park I was carrying my 40D, 70-200mm f/2.8 & 300mm f/2.8.

No comments from any employees at all. Their websites do mention that you can't use your photos for commercial use.

Even though the OP has already been to the Zoo and Sea World, here is some information for future reference. My wife is employed as a Visitor Assistance Officer (part of the Security Department) at the Zoo and I shoot there all the time.

There are no restrictions on the type of gear you may bring into the zoo, including tripods. Tripods are prohibited in the Orchid House, but that facility is only open to the public on the second Friday of the month.

The Zoological Society of San Diego has a prohibition on the commercial use of photographs taken at the zoo or Wild Animal Park. The following is a portion of the statement printed on every ticket, membership card and map issued by the Society.

"Visitor agrees not to commercially use any photography or reproduction in any form taken during any visits to the Parks..."

I would personally recommend against the use of a tripod, especially if you visit on a weekend, particularly during the month of October. (October is "Kids Free" month at the zoo.) I find my 100-400 or 70-200 f2.8 IS to be more than adequate.

I cannot speak to Sea World's photography policy, although I have never been asked about my gear on the rare occasions I go there. I have carried my "big whites" there as well without problems.

hi everyone,
i figured i'd post an update on my trip to San Diego. security actually didn't check my backpack when i went to SDZ, which was s surprise. i hadn't read the updates about SW so i opted to just bring my P&S there & i also didn't want to get some unwanted water splashes on my camera. :) either way, it was a lot of fun! really wish i lived closer... oh well.

enjoy! thanks again! :):):)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2848909130_55882137f0.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2846119619_e8f46414e2.jpg?v=0

My wife and I are glad you enjoyed your visit to the San Diego Zoo. Although she is a Visitor Assistance Officer, she was a loan keeper in the Ituri Forest area for everal months and just loves your shot of "her" monkeys. We're also surprised you were able to capture Zhen Zhen (the Panda) when she was awake...

[lilminijpc]

My wife and I are glad you enjoyed your visit to the San Diego Zoo. Although she is a Visitor Assistance Officer, she was a loan keeper in the Ituri Forest area for several months and just loves your shot of "her" monkeys. We're also surprised you were able to capture Zhen Zhen (the Panda) when she was awake...

Wow, that's pretty cool that your wife works at SDZ! Yah, I also managed to watch the zoo personnel swap out the koala bears. The expressions on their faces were priceless! I have them in my zoo series: Here (http://flickr.com/photos/nahcpj_travel/sets/72157607135565172/).

I guess I really lucked out the 1st day I went to see the pandas (I bought a 2 day pass). When I went back again the 2nd day, Zhen zhen was sleeping in her tree and they mentioned that her mom wasn't going to be on display that day. Her father, in the next area, was the only one awake and was chewing away at some bamboo. Anyway, thanks for the extra info you provided, I will definately bookmark it! :)

[HappySnapper90]

There zoos out there that prohibit people from selling photographs they take at their zoo. Commercial permits/permission can be required at select zoos like the Detroit zoo for example.