Another dumb question... sigh.

[fivehole91]

Ok, so I know this is going to sound stupid, but I just couldn't find the answer thru internet searches. I know that they are not likey to let you take long lenses into hockey games. My question is two-fold... how do people get permission to do that, and how do people get to shoot at ice-level thru the holes in the glass? I'm assuming these are pros doing this, but what is it that constitutes a "pro" who is allowed to do this? Does one pay for such a pass, or what? :confused:

[MJPhotos24]

Well....this is actually answered about 100x over on this site

You need to be a working professional to get these passes to shoot ice level through the holes. To be a "pro" some media outlet has to apply for credentials on your behalf and be approved by the team, there's lots of media outlets who don't get approved so a regular fan getting a pass is not going to happen. Many teams require you to be a regular shooter, in other words not just show up at 1-2 games every few weeks, to gain a pass. So no, you don't pay - you get the pass to do your job.

As for what lenses a fan can bring in, that's up to the arena and NHL to decide as they have a deal with Getty and sure they whisper in the ear of what to allow and not allow. This info is on the teams site 99% of the time.

[asysin2leads]

This info is on the teams site 99% of the time.

And the other 1% of the time, it's on the venue's site if the team doesn't own the arena.

[40Dude6aedyk]

Since lens restrictions are on the "teams site 99% of the time", do you mind posting a few links to demonstrate that? Thanks!

[eigga]

Cameras without a flash may be allowed for some events. Cameras with lenses that are 4 or more inches in length are NOT allowed except for Dallas Stars games.
Google is pretty easy...
http://www.americanairlinescenter.com/guest-services/services_a-z.php

CAMERAS: You may bring a small, still shot camera to Texas Stadium. However, video cameras and cameras with extended or zoom lenses are not allowed at Texas Stadium

http://www.dallascowboys.com/stadium_fanInfo.cfm

Basically the decision to let your gear in is made at the gate by whatever security person you get. They may let in a SLR with a small lens and they may not. Arrive very early, try it out and if denied take it back to your car, or try entering at another gate.

[fivehole91]

thanks for the info...

[DDCSD]

It also depends on what level of competition you are talking about. I can walk into most any sports event in SD with just about any camera/lens combo I'd like. That doesn't mean I can shoot from the holes in the glass, but if I buy a ticket to sit next to the glass I could shoot through it no problem.

For big time schools/pro teams and venues, you'll run into more strict rules. Some places will allow you in no problem, some are a crap shoot and at others you'll have no chance.

If you're talking about lower level sports, shoot the team an email and see if they'll let you sit ice-side and shoot. You'll likely get rejected, but the worst that will happen is that they say no. Do not agree to give them all (or even some) of the images for the privilege of shooting though.

[MJPhotos24]

Since lens restrictions are on the "teams site 99% of the time", do you mind posting a few links to demonstrate that? Thanks!
#1 - Detroit Tigers
#2 - Buffalo Sabres

Combined time to look both these up....less than 10 seconds combined. There's hundreds of teams out there from all sports, so chose these two at random.

#1
CAMERAS/VIDEO
Guests are welcome to bring still and video cameras into the park and may take pictures from their seats during the game. Guests are requested to not stand in aisles or obstruct others from viewing the game while taking pictures. Tripods, unipods, and monopods are not permitted in the park.

#2
Camera Policy
The camera policies are as follows:

Buffalo Sabres/Buffalo Bandits games: Flash photography is permitted. Guests may use cameras (including digital) with long lenses provided they do not obstruct the view of other patrons. In addition, guests and their cameras cannot block aisles or access-ways. Tri-Pods are NOT permitted.

Guests may only take photos from their seats, and are not permitted to use the "mouseholes" in the glass. Video cameras are permitted during youth hockey only. Only credentialed media are permitted to use approved areas, such as the 200 level platforms and glass cut outs. For questions regarding camera policies for other HSBC Arena events, please call Account Services at 1-888-GO-SABRES (1-888-467-2273).
Concerts/Events: The policy varies from show to show. Video/audio recorders are prohibited. If cameras are permitted, they are usually limited to 35mm, disposable or digital cameras. The camera policy for individual shows will be posted with the event information approximately 1 week prior to the show.

[FrickzPicz]

I have traveled to 26 49ers NFL Games in the last 2 years maybe i can help you shed some light.

Dallas Cowboys website says they are not allowed, But at the stadium there was no troubles with mine or anyone. I have a 75-300mm lens btw.

Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco, New Orleans. I had no problems with any of these stadiums. The Giants game in New York this year their site said they were not permitted so instead of risking it, i just wore some wind pants or any other baggy pants would work, and then just put your lens of choice strapped to your leg via like velcro. They do not pat you past your waste and sometimes pockets. But i just love the stadiums that approve of it.

Dont waste your time at Oakland Raiders Coliseum. They are pricks and wont let you take anything in over like 3 inches.

[MJPhotos24]

Gotta say, that's some pretty crappy advice - how to get a gun pointed at your head and thrown to the ground with security jumping you in one easy step, have something strapped to your leg that could be mistaken as a bomb or weapon!

...btw, there's reasons for these rules, not just because they are pricks! The stadiums not enforcing it are not because the rules aren't there, it's because the security guards don't know or care and should be cracking down more than they are.

[FrickzPicz]

Gotta say, that's some pretty crappy advice - how to get a gun pointed at your head and thrown to the ground with security jumping you in one easy step, have something strapped to your leg that could be mistaken as a bomb or weapon!

...btw, there's reasons for these rules, not just because they are pricks! The stadiums not enforcing it are not because the rules aren't there, it's because the security guards don't know or care and should be cracking down more than they are.


crappy if you say so, but i did it at the giants game. but then again i didnt strap it i just put it in my pant leg. And ticket security dont have guns. Its kinda a last resort most stadiums dont care.

[eigga]

most stadiums dont care

Well the ones with posted rules do care. Telling someone how to do things in a way that may cost them their ticket is bad advice.

[MJPhotos24]

As mentioned, it's not the stadiums that don't care - it's those specific security guards who are ignoring the rules when they should be in affect. What I don't get is you have the 75-300, this is by far covered in the six inch rule and hardly a big pro lens they don't allow...

Buffalo Bills...
Cameras with lenses of six (6) inches or less

Dallas Cowboys...
CAMERAS: You may bring a small, still shot camera to Texas Stadium. However, video cameras and cameras with extended or zoom lenses are not allowed at Texas Stadium.
(possibly the 75-300 could be considered, but how many security guards would even notice with that lens?)

Arizona Cardinals...
Cameras with professional photo lenses (larger than 8 inches)

San Fran 49ers...
Cameras and video equipment ARE permitted inside the stadium. However, lights may not be used with video recording equipment. Tripods and monopods are also prohibited. Fans may not reproduce or rebroadcast any film or photographs shot at the stadium without the express written consent of the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL. Fans are allowed to take pictures, but must be courteous to avoid sightline obstruction of surrounding fans.


New Orleans Saints...
Have no camera rule, all they have is a photo use rule which obviously says you can't use the images for re-sale as does every stadium policy.

NY Giants...
(under allowed items) - Still cameras - non-professional.

So to me it seems you're "sneaking" in the gear when it's allowed in the first place.

So you know, in many stadiums (not all) there's off-duty police that are armed security guards dressed as the normal fan by the ticket gates milling around. The regular security will detain the suspect with any means necessary until they get there.

I also am confused why the story changed, first you did strap it to your leg and now you didn't? Trying to have someone else do it as a guinea pig by saying you did? Again, it's just crappy advice.

[KIPAX]

i just wore some wind pants or any other baggy pants would work, and then just put your lens of choice strapped to your leg

--- 8<--------

Dont waste your time at Oakland Raiders Coliseum. They are pricks and wont let you take anything in over like 3 inches.


So if you have anything in your pants thats longer than 3 inch they wont let you in ?




.

[MJPhotos24]

So if you have anything in your pants thats longer than 3 inch they wont let you in ?




.

Lucky for me I have no interest in ever attending a Raiders game, would never get in :cool:

Other comment...Honestly can't even attend games as a fan anymore, sit in the seat antsy wishing I was on the sidelines.

(Above was edited)

This to the other post...

I missed the Raiders who are more strict..
Hand-held binoculars and small still cameras with lenses less than 3” in length are permitted in Oakland Coliseum. Video and movie cameras are not permitted in the Coliseum without the user holding proper media credentials. Photos cannot be used for any commercial purpose.

[chris270]

So if you have anything in your pants thats longer than 3 inch they wont let you in ?

I think that guy's quote missed ya Mike. He was trying to be funny about bigger than 3 inches in your pants. I thought it was pretty funny.

[MJPhotos24]

I think that guy's quote missed ya Mike. He was trying to be funny about bigger than 3 inches in your pants. I thought it was pretty funny.
No, I got it...I meant to split that up, two different comments. I blame the mass amount of pills I'm taking being sick.

Fixed it...maybe...

[FrickzPicz]

no i was suggesting strapping it to the leg. If I posted it as saying i did i apologize. I dont see why there is hate towards me. I was just making a suggestion. Dallas website states what you have said but ya, the only rule they really have is no Tripods. I was all worried about my lens, but i talked to people inside the stadium and they were even allowed to bring their bag and other lens in.

So please dont flame me for trying to give advice. So ya if its a bad idea im sorry. But i know i put it in my pants leg. Other then that the only other thing i could recommend is just find the security guard that seems a little off the block or not caring. hehe. Sorry if we got off on the wrong foot.

[MJPhotos24]

It's bad advice that you don't want to give people, why would anyone tell someone to break the rules? It's only going to get someone in trouble and not exactly what POTN is trying to promote IMO. There's photography ethics I guess is the simple answer and to see it blatantly stepped on makes some people upset.

[FrickzPicz]

Well first off i can understand what your talking about. It would not get some one in trouble though. All they would say is sorry sir, you cant bring that in here and then they would make it take it back to your car. if you want my honest answer why i did it, it was because my pants were like the wind pants and i didnt have any pockets besides a small back pocket. But ya i guess your right, and im sorry. But ya at pretty much any NFL stadium except Oakland and Seattle, and i would just try and take it in. I have seen strict rules on the website ( ex. Dallas) and then be worried the whole day just to get up there and them not even care about my lens.

[sadler21]

It also depends on what level of competition you are talking about.

... and can depend on the suckyness of the team. When the Blackhawks were crap, I could bring anything in (within reason), 70-200 f/2.8, 100-300 f/4. Once they got to the playoff hunt, suddenly cameras werent allowed. The Atlanta Trashers allow cameras, probably too, because the team is crap, needs the attendance, and doesnt want to offend the 5 potential customers.