Maximum Size Lens Allowed at a College Football Game

Attended my first Clemson football game today and had my camera bag on my shoulder and my Cannon EOS with 70-200 lens on the other shoulder with hood.... (my mistake) As I present my tickets, I am told that I would have to return the lens to my car (which is parked a mile away) I told the gentleman that this was my first Clemson game and I checked with the NCAA online and up to 200 mm lens are allowed in sporting events by amateurs...(can't believe I came up with that) He said he wasn't so sure about that and he would have to check with his supervisor.... he became distracted by the wires in the camera bag and once he was satisfied that I wasn't a terrorist, he allowed my wife and I to enter but said that it was still possible that his police might ask me to return it to my car... I entered and about ten minutes later I see the same guy and he told me that his supervisor said that he shouldn't have allowed me to enter with that lens... I explained that the hood made it appear longer than it really was and I should have left it off... he smiled and said enjoy the game and next time keep it in the bag with your camera until you are seated.... Has anyone else ever had this issue?

Ya shoulda left the hood reversed while entering

Honestly, it depends also on the venue, they all have different rules, as do things like NCAA, NFL, etc. They do it for two reasons, one, they don't want competition for the professional photographers, and the other is that your big lens will block the sight lines and possibly up run into other fans. Looking at their website no mention is made of the size of the camera/lens, however camera bags are explicitly banned.

It's crazy isn't it? I don't understand what the big deal is and why people are so afraid of a lens. Folks are allowed to bring all sorts of things in...there just isn't any need for folks to be so concerned about something like this.

Bryan

Keyan wrote in post #16366687
Ya shoulda left the hood reversed while entering

I agree! That is how I usually carry it but I had just taken a few photos and flipped it.... when I checked their website all I found was....

"Fans attempting to enter the game with backpacks, tote bags, brown paper bags or other large carryalls will be told to return the item to their campus residence or vehicle".

I saw all of the above inside the stadium....

It's rules. I've never had a problem taking mine anywhere but I know to be careful and try to keep it small as possible.

Where one guy might get denied with his white canon, I sneak right in with my black version

Talley wrote in post #16366750
It's rules. I've never had a problem taking mine anywhere but I know to be careful and try to keep it small as possible.

Where one guy might get denied with his white canon, I sneak right in with my black version

I think the color had a lot to do with it....

It has a trigger, it might go off and hurt someone...

Is it the bulk of the camera or the lens magnification.

I can have a small P&S, the size of my mobile phone, in my pocket that has a longer telephoto range than 200mm.

Super Bowl 47 implemented some rules about lens length and the number was 6 inches. Above that they would not permit you in with the equipment. This was extended to all NFL games and here in Philadelphia the "ruler" was the length of a dollar bill.

After the episode in Boston some rules came out about having to have a clear bag of a certain size but I don't think there was anything relative to a lens dimension. But some content from the NFL requirements may have filtered down to the individual college team stadiums.

John from PA wrote in post #16367162
Super Bowl 47 implemented some rules about lens length and the number was 6 inches. Above that they would not permit you in with the equipment. This was extended to all NFL games and here in Philadelphia the "ruler" was the length of a dollar bill.

After the episode in Boston some rules came out about having to have a clear bag of a certain size but I don't think there was anything relative to a lens dimension. But some content from the NFL requirements may have filtered down to the individual college team stadiums.

Which is where the 200mm 2.8 II prime would come in handy. Is smaller then 6" and just carry a 1.4 and 2x seperate and you have 400mm available.

I just looked at the Penn State requirements which you can do as well at http://grfx.cstv.com …13_BeaverStadiu​mGuide.pdf.

Quoting one section in the PDF file at the link above...

So the question is that clear one-gallon bag...just how much can you stuff into it. Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed or perhaps plan on a trip back to the car (which might be a long way at Penn State!).

John from PA wrote in post #16367172
So the question is that clear one-gallon bag...just how much can you stuff into it. Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed or perhaps plan on a trip back to the car (which might be a long way at Penn State!).

My 24-70 w/ hood extended is right at 6" long. So the 200 2.8 II would fit. enough room for a couple extenders as well.

FYI

From the University of Georgia website.....

CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS

All still cameras are allowed inside Sanford Stadium. Video cameras are not allowed in Sanford Stadium.

Dwaine wrote in post #16367389
From the University of Georgia website.....

CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS

All still cameras are allowed inside Sanford Stadium. Video cameras are not allowed in Sanford Stadium.

What defines a video camera? My cell phone? Any modern DSLR?

Dwaine wrote in post #16366715
I agree! That is how I usually carry it but I had just taken a few photos and flipped it.... when I checked their website all I found was....

"Fans attempting to enter the game with backpacks, tote bags, brown paper bags or other large carryalls will be told to return the item to their campus residence or vehicle".

I saw all of the above inside the stadium....

You had a ticket, right? Did you bother to read the back? It clearly states what will be allowed and what will not. No interchangeable lens cameras; no camera bags.

You buffed your way in; so did many others, apparently. But, the rules were clearly written.