casino myths?

[birdfromboat]

I will be in vegas for a week and was wondering if it is a hassle walking into and out of the major casinos with a DSLR on a strap in plain view? I have heard there is a no shooting policy in place in most casinos and all shows, and from past experience no shooting gets translated to no big black cameras here please by most security guards. Any advice before I waste my carryon space on cameras that will be more trouble than they are worth?

[Aaagogo]

i think the no shooting policy is by the gaming tables, if you stand in like a fountain or statue or something and take a picture of the other person you are there with, I think it would be alright.

easiest way, check with the front desk when you are checking in.

[chukdivad]

I walked all over Vegas night and day (in and out of casinos) with a gripped 30D+17-55+430EX around my neck and carrying my tripod and nobody (security) said a word to me.

[FlyingPhotog]

I've shot casino interiors with the gaming areas in the BG but I wouldn't even consider trying to actually focus on a gaming table. The various LV casinos with their themed architecture yield some great images.

They'll be nice but very, very firm about no photos please.

[WaltA]

I walked thru Vegas casinos for a week even played slots with my XtI around my neck.
Took pictures around fountains and flowers and such. No questions asked.

But as suggested above I suspect if you tried to shoot some tables you may be asked to desist. Or leave.

[buto]

I was in vegas a few days ago. I saw plenty of people walking around with an SLR and taking pictures. As long as your not taking pictures at the tables or the slot machines you will be fine.

[hsma]

Yeah, I tried to take a picture of my friend with my camera phone at the tables and that was forbidden but I have taken pictures inside casinos of the structures and such and haven't been bothered by security.

[eddarr]

Just leave the lens cap on when you are right inside the casino. If you see security heading your way just point to the cap and they will leave you alone.

[D_CeLiRaToR]

i was asked to put my point and shoot away when i was trying to take a picture of my friend in the lobby of a casino. this was in milwaukee.

[birdfromboat]

sounds like there are overzealous security guards in casinos, just like eeverywhere else. I will be travelling with a group, attending meetings and such, and don't want to be the pain in the ssa photographer that can't go here and can't go there without going back to the hotel first. I think I will be the pain in the ssa photographer that carries that denmad thing everywhere but never takes the cap off. Just can't bear the thought of being far from home without my camera.

[FlyingPhotog]

sounds like there are overzealous security guards in casinos, just like eeverywhere else. I will be travelling with a group, attending meetings and such, and don't want to be the pain in the ssa photographer that can't go here and can't go there without going back to the hotel first. I think I will be the pain in the ssa photographer that carries that denmad thing everywhere but never takes the cap off. Just can't bear the thought of being far from home without my camera.

Take your camera and your tripod...

The number of exterior photo ops on the strip and the places you can shoot indoors far outweigh the one where you maybe shouldn't or flat out can't.

You can take your camera anywhere you go. If you want to be ultrasensitive to the gaming floor thing, simply turn it off and cap it.

[breal101]

Security guards at casinos are for the most part the best I ever run into. They are trained to be more friendly than most security people, much better than mall security guards.

[keosho]

I have taken my camera several times and I've never been approached by security. Never have tried taking pictures of any table games or slot machines, but I have taken shots inside the casino/gaming area of architectural items without incident.

[tonylong]

Heh! Imagine trying to hold Photoshop World in a place where camera gear was not allowed!

I've done a lot of P&S shooting inside casinos, though as has been said not around the tables. I don't know how they'd react to interior scenes with a DSLR on a tripod, though -- especially if you're interfering with the hordes of people rushing to throw their money into the coffers. But there is no problem with having the gear and carrying it outside for the externals.

[Mark_Cohran]

I've shots lots of times in Vegas with a DSLR and it's not been a problem as long as I wasn't shooting in the gaming areas.

[primoz]

In Vegas you can shoot pretty much everywhere except at gaming tables and slot machines. When I was there for first time, I rather asked security guy about this to be sure, because just like you, I also heard bunch of rumors.

[birdfromboat]

Thanks everyone. I will be there for a week, attending seminars from 8 to 4 with a 2 hour dinner kind of required after that. I guess all I have left is the good light. I plan to rent a car and do the hoover dam, airforce base, desert sunrise, strip at night thing. Camera is definitely coming.

[JayCee Images]

Like others have said, keep it out of the table areas and youll be fine. If your just passing through or taking pics of the lobby, artsy type stuff, i see no issue with it. But if you start snapping pics of people at the craps table, expect a quick escort out of the casino and maybe confiscation of gear.

[DigitalDiva]

I was in a casino in Manitoba and taking photos of an aquarium. I was told by security to quit shooting and put the camera away or I would be escorted out.

[tomslens]

Walked all of Vegas and into many casinos with my 30D + battery grip and hooded 28-75. I never had anyone raise an eyebrow. I even managed to bring it into a show although I never took any photos.