Well this really sucks!

[CatchingUp]

I just purchased tickets a little while ago to attend my first NFL football game. My daughter is a football fan as well and her and I are going to the Cowboy game on Thanksgiving Day. Rest of our family are working and such so we thought it would be fun to do this together. I just paid a large chunk of change for the upper nosebleed seats at the new Cowboy stadium and then after the fact, saw this:

General Info:

Up https://www.stubhub.com/resources/img/up.gif (https://www.stubhub.com/texas-stadium-event-tickets/details/?venue_config_ID=364166#top)

Prohibited Items for the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium include luggage, large bags, backpacks, large purses, and similar items. ONLY small cameras are allowed, video cameras and cameras with zoom lenses are prohibited. Smoking is prohibited. The code of conduct indicates that foul, disruptive, and/or abusive languages or gestures are not allowed, nor are fighting, intoxication, sitting in a ticketed seat belonging to another guest, obscene or indecent clothing and general disruptive behavior of the like.

I figured I'd take my 70-200 with my 1.4 extender and then my 17-40. But now I'm wondering if I can't even take in my 5D with my 17-40? I'm kinda pissed right now!! :mad:

[CatchingUp]

hmmm...that info came off the site I purchased the tickets from. The official Dallas Cowboy site reads as follows:

Cameras

Cameras (still only) are permitted inside Cowboys Stadium as long as their use does not interfere with the game or other guests' enjoyment of the event. Video cameras and video recording of events at Cowboys Stadium is prohibited.

So ...wonder what the scoop is?

[jacuff]

So did you buy the tickets so you could take photos or did you buy the tickets to watch a football game with your daughter?

You should just leave your SLR at home. If you have a point and shoot, then take that. Most all P&S cameras have a zoom lens, so even then a gate worker could turn you away or ask you to put your camera back in your vehicle. It will be randomly enforced with some people allowed and others turned away.

[Mark II]

I'd be even MORE pissed at myself for paying what they want for tickets nowadays.

[CatchingUp]

So did you buy the tickets so you could take photos or did you buy the tickets to watch a football game with your daughter?

You should just leave your SLR at home. If you have a point and shoot, then take that. Most all P&S cameras have a zoom lens, so even then a gate worker could turn you away or ask you to put your camera back in your vehicle. It will be randomly enforced with some people allowed and others turned away.

Actually, I bought tickets to do both. My daughter, who is 25, would expect and want me to bring my camera.

I'm checking with the stadium for clarification.

This stadium is quite an architectural wonder. Taking some decent pictures of the one and only NFL game at such a place is not that odd of a desire. Or so I would think. :rolleyes:

[CatchingUp]

I'd be even MORE pissed at myself for paying what they want for tickets nowadays.

Yeah....the price was pretty obscene and I doubt I'll ever do this again. My wife and other daughter are nurses and are working Thanksgiving. My oldest daughter is going to her boyfriends for Thanksgiving. So this will be the first Thanksgiving that we have not all been together. The daughter I am going with is the only other 'fan' in the family and it was her idea, as she lives in Dallas and even has her own Fantasy Football team. So this is just one of those rare one time only occasions that we thought we'd splurge and do something different.

[jacuff]

Actually, I bought tickets to do both. My daughter, who is 25, would expect and want me to bring my camera.

I'm checking with the stadium for clarification.

This stadium is quite an architectural wonder. Taking some decent pictures of the one and only NFL game at such a place is not that odd of a desire. Or so I would think. :rolleyes:

That's cool, but be prepared to be told one thing on the phone and run into something different when it really counts (entering the gate). Best of luck to you either way. It's not an odd desire, but it also has to be seen from the other point of view. The NFL likes to control their copyright and licenses (can you blame them?). Credentialed photographers have certain rules to follow or they (or their agency) will lose their credentials. The easiest thing to do to prevent non-credentialed photographers (aka ticket holders) from violating copyrights and license agreements is to simply make it harder to do so in the first place.

[CatchingUp]

From the PR office at Cowboy Stadium:

ALL cameras are allowed inside the venue. The only restriction that we enforce is the use of video cameras. These are not allowed. Have a wonderful day.

[eigga]

I took my Mark III and 16-35 to the stadium without any issues. Dont take all your gear, put the lens in camera in separate bags. The 70-200 might be an issue, just get there early.

[cpo13]

From the PR office at Cowboy Stadium:

ALL cameras are allowed inside the venue. The only restriction that we enforce is the use of video cameras. These are not allowed. Have a wonderful day.

So the interesting question for the future - if you bring a 7D or 1D MkIV will they see that as a video camera or not?

[Cyclop]

Regulations...

[The Moose]

So this is just one of those rare one time only occasions that we thought we'd splurge and do something different.

I always knew NFL tickets were expensive but for you, while owning the gear that you own, to say that you splurged by buying said tickets, that just proves that they must be REALLY expensive!

[patwill]

What did you expect? It's the Cowboys.

[FlyingPhotog]

If I wanted good quality stills of the facility itself, I'd go tour it on a non game day.

Too many people = Too many heads in shots

[CatchingUp]

I always knew NFL tickets were expensive but for you, while owning the gear that you own, to say that you splurged by buying said tickets, that just proves that they must be REALLY expensive!

It's all about perspective. My gear is an 'investment'. I use it over and over and over and it has paid for itself. I have no reservations purchasing gear. But buying tickets for a one time event like this...no redeeming value, in a practical sense. But, it'll be a fun day with my daughter and I consider myself fortunate that I can do this. :-)


Two tickets, upper, upper deck (high as you can go) Cowboy side, down by the 10 yard line....processing fees and all -$264.00 :rolleyes:

[CatchingUp]

Well, I just got a clarification on the camera policy at the new Cowboy Stadium:

Small still cameras are allowed. No professional, video or lenses longer than 3 inches will be permitted into the stadium.

That really is disappointing. I had planned on taking my 70-200 and my 17-40; along with my 50D. I just don't understand the hangup on bringing a camera with a decent lens to such a game? Especially for the amount I'm paying. What are they afraid of? grumble...grumble...grumble...sigh.

Perhaps if I take my battery grip off my 50D and just slap my 17-40 on there and where it around my neck instead of taking a bag, I can pass as a regular 'joe'. Otherwise, I'll take my 50mm. Still sucks though.

[jacuff]

What happens when the dude behind you spills his drink and ruins your camera or you are framing your shot and the person in front of you jumps up (in excitement because of the play) and hits their head on your lens? Those are probably a few of the hang ups they have that aren't related to licensing. P&S cameras they don't care about because they don't take up as much space as a DSLR with lens attached.

[DDCSD]

I'd just take the 5D and 17-40 and get a few nice wide shots. Maybe consider getting a fisheye. The 70-200 isn't going to be long enough to do a lot of good anyways.

[Croasdail]

Take what you want and have a good time. If some dope jumps up and bangs his head on your camera, just buy him another round and I am sure he will be your best friend. And if you crap shots, so what, you had a good time. If you come away with a few memory makers - bonus for you.

[CatchingUp]

So my daughter and I had a Great time at the game on Thursday. I ended up taking the 5D and my 17-40. That was really a good discipline for me to shoot an event with ONE lens only. I know I needed to do that. I didn't see anyone else running around with bigger lenses either which made me feel better.

I'm posting a few shots from the day. The stadium was quite impressive, however for one billion dollars, you'd thought they would put a scoreboard in there that you could see!

As it was my first NFL game to ever attend, I was rather surprised to count only two dozen 'proffesional looking' photographers on the sidelines. I'd thought there would have been more. Oh...to have a pass to shoot just one game in this lifetime :-)

[CatchingUp]

I am adding two more and also wanted to say that as high us as we were, it would have not meant much to have my 70-200,even with a 1.4 extender.

[fryefoto]

So, would you do it again?

[DDCSD]

Nice shots! Go Eagles!!! ;)

[CatchingUp]

So, would you do it again?

Nah...probably not. Nice to do it once...but I prefer the games in the comfort of my own home watching the TV.

But....if I ever got a sideline pass to shoot the game...I would sooooo jump on that!

[CatchingUp]

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