Security Check Point Question.

I'm planning on taking my camera with me to my kid's college graduation. It's a very important event for me. Yes, I know they will have a "professional " photographer at the event, but my past experience with these "pros" is that either they never deliver the pic, or their pic sucks really, really bad. I want get the pic of her walking across the stage and getting her "diploma" (yes, I know it's not the real, actual diploma, but it's all about the importance of the ceremony).

I was told beforehand that they have a "6 inch lens rule". They were not very clear on if that meant 6 inch lens, or 6 inch lens attached to the body. Yes, there is a difference. The longest lens I own that is EXACTLY 6 inches long is a Nikon 180mm f2.8 AF-ED. I would prefer that lens over my 85mm f1.8.

I called twice, went in person and spoke with a security guard working the event, but they wouldn't provide a clear answer. The event is tonight, so I can't go out and buy anything. I can only use what I have.

Based on your experience, what does tge 6 inch lens rule at sports stadium really mean??

It would seem to me that the 6" lens rule applies for sporting events at that stadium, and that would not apply to an event for a private organization that is taking place at the stadium.

In any event, I would circumvent the issue simply by placing the 6" lens in your wife's purse or your jacket packet (with lens caps at both ends), mount a relatively short lens like the 85mm on the camera body, and walk in nonchalantly with the visible short lens and take your seats. We are not dealigh with a rigid dictatorial state and security with calipers, are we?!

Wilt wrote in post #19372480
It would seem to me that the 6" lens rule applies for sporting events at that stadium, and that would not apply to an event for a private organization that is taking place at the stadium.

In any event, I would circumvent the issue simply by placing the 6" lens in your wife's purse or your jacket packet (with lens caps at both ends), mount a relatively short lens like the 85mm on the camera body, and walk in nonchalantly with the visible short lens and take your seats. We are not dealigh with a rigid dictatorial state and security with calipers, are we?!

This was exactly what I was planning to do!!! Alternatively, I was going to slap the 6 inch 180mm on an old D200 and walk in with it (my wife would carry the D750/85mm combo), just in case they try to give me a hard time for daring to have a "loose" lens in a handbag.

Plan "C" is to take my D750/85mm and my tiny GX85 with the kit 45-150mm lens (translates to 90-300), but the IQ is slightly better than a cellphone.

Not that my OP matters much anymore, as I just got back from the event. I was (barely) able to make it in with my D750/85mm plus my 180 in a clear "gallon size" ziplock bag.

I got a bit of flack by the security guard, but I informed his the lens was under 6 inches in lenght (I even brought alonng a tiny tape measure just in case I had to prove my point to the surity guard.

I really don't understand the logic behind their "overly precautious/over zelous/randomly changing rules." A six inch lens poses no danger or threat to anyone.

snegron wrote in post #19372606
A six inch lens poses no danger or threat to anyone.

Wild guess, the professional photographer(s) ask for it as a way to maximize business.

You show up with a decent kit, what is to stop you from taking pictures of not just your kid but all his/her friends too and then passing them along for free?

Personally, I'm on your side with a daughter graduating college in less than two weeks. Same 6" lens rule, fairly sure it will be rigidly enforced since the graduation ceremony will be in a school owned sports arena. The pro pics will be lousy, but I've decided to not fight the system. We will take pics before and after (with the "diploma") and not worry about the 30 foot walk.

If by some miracle the pro pics are actually worth buying then so be it, a (very) small final cost on top of four years in college.

Seems like a graduation program would be more lax than sporting events. Pretty silly, I think.

Bring 6" lens, leave a teleconvertor in your jacket pocket.

mbellot wrote in post #19374145
Wild guess, the professional photographer(s) ask for it as a way to maximize business.

You show up with a decent kit, what is to stop you from taking pictures of not just your kid but all his/her friends too and then passing them along for free?

Personally, I'm on your side with a daughter graduating college in less than two weeks. Same 6" lens rule, fairly sure it will be rigidly enforced since the graduation ceremony will be in a school owned sports arena. The pro pics will be lousy, but I've decided to not fight the system. We will take pics before and after (with the "diploma") and not worry about the 30 foot walk.

If by some miracle the pro pics are actually worth buying then so be it, a (very) small final cost on top of four years in college.

For me it was a matter of principle. I have been taking pics of my kids since they were born. Literally. I almost got kicked out of the hospital during my second child's birth; the nurse was yelling at me to stop recording despite the doctor not having any objections. I have seen my kids grow through my lens their entire lives. I paid my kid's college cash, out of pocket, no loans or scholarships. Having taken pictures at her previous graduations (elementary school, middle school and high school), I was eagerly looking forward to capturing her final moment in school. Why would these organizers see the need to deprive me of my right as a parent to capture a couple of pics of my kid??

I don't think it was about the money they stood to make from the event "photographer". It was more about exerting their control over their tiny venue. This was not a copyrighted event. This was not a major league sporting event. There were no event sponsors except us parents who paid for graduation fees. The college chose this arena because it was on the property of the campus. The arena directors and staff were too lazy and set in their ways to accept any change in their routine.

Bottom line is that I got the shot. My next kid graduates in two years. I am planning photography setup as we speak. Next time I will go with a teleconverter. However, if m4/3 sensors get any better, I'll upgrade to a newer body in order to use a longer reaching lens.

Wilt wrote in post #19374210
Bring 6" lens, leave a teleconvertor in your jacket pocket.

Yes! Definitely next time!!

Maybe the 'event photographer' had a clause limiting attending family/friends from using any longer FL, in order to cover the event for the school at a (perhaps) lower than usual fee for such coverage?

Wilt wrote in post #19374378
Maybe the 'event photographer' had a clause limiting attending family/friends from using any longer FL, in order to cover the event for the school at a (perhaps) lower than usual fee for such coverage?

That does sound like a plausible idea. I'm not sure what agreement the photographer had with the college, however I can say based on my observations that the 3 photographers I saw covering the event were not very experienced. The one near the stage who was supposed to be capturing the kids receiving the diploma from the college official kept having trouble with his flash. It wasn't recycling quickly enough to capture every student. It was probably a low battery issue. Shame on him or his employer for not having a back up battery pack, flash or other necessary equipment. While he was struggling and fumbling with his equipment, the other 2 "photographers" were prancing around getting "candid" pics of the students as they were in their seats. At the very least one of these 2 "photographers" could have assisted photograpger # 1 at the stage area. I could tell they haven't been doing this for very long.

When I used to shoot weddings, I had 3 identical cameras, lenses, flash units and enough batteries to last two days! Always had backups of everything! Missing a shot was unthinkable, inexcusable and unacceptable. I was paid to capture the "money shots", and I made sure I delivered. That was my personal business ethic.

I know I'm an old-timer, and probably failure today is not only tolerated but excpected. Regardless, I got the shot.

Too often 'pro' simply means 'paid', and has nothing to do with knowledge/mastery of the craft.
Or 'pro' means 'prophylactic'...preve​nted from doing one's job due to inability or lack of experience.

Just amazing how little knowledge there can be out there. Chimping permits so much trial and error method to result in a good shot. Lighting is like driving a stick shift...a lost skill in so much of the current generation of photographers.
(I grew up in the day of fully manual flash, with no recycle of surplus electricity to speed recycle. Flash meters did not exist then...not until the first Minolta flash meter in 1969.)