Was at a Competetive Cheerleading competition in Palm Springs this weekend. The organizers info and website indicated "No Video Cameras" (cause they had a professional outfit there videotaping). I took my 70-200 f/2.8L and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 with me.
When I get there I here an announcement that they are not allowing any flash photography (expected) nor telephoto lenses (they also had a professional photography crew onsite). Well, I shot a couple groups with the 70-200 from the first row of seats (about 10 feet off the floor) and they turned out great.
After several other hobbyist/fathers told me the staff had asked them to not shoot with their 70-200 f/2.8L(IS) I decided to shot the remaining two groups with the Tamron from the edge of the floor (where all the other parent and cheerleaders were sitting). Those shots turned out great as well. No one ever said a thing to me.
Well, day two brought yet another announcement "No professional lenses". So, I left my 70-200 in the bag and just shot the Tamron which at 75mm I don't consider a telphoto lens. I shoot the first three groups no problem and no comment from the staff/bouncers at the stage. I setup for the fourth group (my daughters) and just as they come on the stage the staff/bouncer guy sees my tamron extend to 75mm and he's tapping me on the back saying "no telephoto lenses!!!" I politely told him it was "75mm and not a telephoto" and to get off my back. I finished shooting, got my shots and then decided to go rag on the event organizers.
They, of course, wanted their professional photographers to sell their photos and I understand that. But I asked them the following questions:
1) Why wasn't the restriction of photography on their website and literature?
2) What is the definition of a telephoto lens?
3) What is the definition of a professional lens?
They dodged around #1.
Any lens that extends was the answer to #2.
And they pointed to my white 70-200 as a professional lens.
I then took a minute to educate them and show them that the 70-200 didn't extend but it is a telelphoto lens and that my Tamron 28-75 is considered a normal zoom as opposed to a telephoto zoom. I also explained that none of my lenses were "Professional Lenses" because I am a hobbyist and I don't charge for my photos. Besides I got 50 shots of my daughter and their professionals got 2 that were mediocre at best. I also took the time to let them know that a fixed lense camera (S5) can have an equivalent zoom to that of my 70-200 so they should be limiting the use of those as well.
I took up photography cause I knew that I would have to be attending many of these competitions with my daughter and it gives me something to work on while I am there. I use the event as a venue to improve my skills and get some shots of my daughter and her friends at the same time. If they start banning photography then I will stop paying $10-$25 to attend these.
If they are concerned about protecting their contracted photographers profits they need to ban cell phones because the girls would go up to the computers and find their pics and put them at full screen and take a picture of it with their phones.
Just venting.
