Has anyone had any problems bring a camera into a Baseball game?

JeffreyG wrote in post #5483665
The word 'small' in there is the problem because it is not specific. I personally think your 30D plus the 300/4 would be reasonable....but who knows if security will agree. You need to try and e-mail them for some kind of clarification.

I sent them an email yesterday. Still waiting to hear back.

Well I can always do this, pick up a used 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS.

link

Or just cave in and fish out the old 75-300 f/4-5.6 III (one without usm)

Here is there nice not answer from them

"Providing it is not a professional camera, you are fine. The lens is not to big."

So I guess a 30d is not a pro cam....cause I said so. hahah!

I'm going to refer you to the thread that I started regarding the NBA game I attended: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=481286

I really hate this professional word as it provides absolutely no clarification, but rather, lets the stadium security make their own judgements. And since most non-dSLR users are ignorant to the technology, you'll have to assume that anything beyond a P&S will be thought of as professional. Again, you and I may not think so, but at the point, it doesn't really matter what we think now does it.

I don't want to discourage you, I definitely think you should try bringing them camera. But just be ready for anything. I would strongly suggest trying to throw the cam in your ma's bag, lens unmounted.

I honestly don't think you will have a problem. As I said before, I have never had a problem at Shea Stadium with a DLSR and a zoom (20+ games a year). Other stadiums/arenas may be different, but I can tell you first-hand - it is not a problem at Shea. The absolute worst-case scenario is that you get turned away at one gate and go to the next one (although this has never happened to me).

Here's a shot from my seat on 4/12 , albeit with my 10-20 (the 70-200 was in my bag). Enjoy Sunday's game. I will be there Saturday.

Yes, it's private property, and yes, they have the right to enforce their rules as long as they fall within the law. However, it's also our right to question rules and seek their repeal if they're unreasonable, and it out-of-line to chastise people for simply for not being weak and spineless and wanting seek a better situation. Doesn't mean they are obligated to repeal bad rules, of course, but sometimes positive change does happen when enough people have the cahones to stand up and say something.

tagvestibule wrote in post #5486732
I honestly don't think you will have a problem.

Nice shot! It good to hear someone who has been there not too long ago and what they encountered. So thank you.

I going to stop worrying about. Their email said a 6" lens is fine, the 70-200 is 6" (about w/o hood) Its not really white, but has a black lens coat. And if they say "is this a pro camera" I can always say why no I got it a best buy, something they can relate to.

And if the worst case happens, try a different gate or go home.

Personally I think the rules are keep people safe more the to keep Pro DSLR's out. Think of mayhem of a bunch of guys in the noise bleed section with a 500mm f/4 and tripod! Something like the days of folks camping in their seats. I mean who needs a cooler full of food and blankets and pillows!

So unmounted, in a bag should make it look less huge! And the 30D with 10-20 or 50mm makes it look tiny.

And the NBA is not the only ones who turn all SLR back, the NFL does it too.

Thanks everyone for the helpful ideas/advice. I will have to post what happens and some shots if can take them.

Anyone have info on Yankee Stadium? I'll be there in July, debating bringing some kit with me. Unfortunately, leaving it the car will not be an option... Even the 135L with extender will likely be too short; which leaves the 70-200mm and 100-400mm, LOL.

Double Negative wrote in post #5493470
Anyone have info on Yankee Stadium? I'll be there in July, debating bringing some kit with me. Unfortunately, leaving it the car will not be an option... Even the 135L with extender will likely be too short; which leaves the 70-200mm and 100-400mm, LOL.

I once got some serious grief from security as I was leaving Yankee Stadium. The guy didn't seem to understand that I was on my way out, and yet he wanted me to go with him somewhere. I figured his superiors would have wanted to have a look at anything I took and make sure I deleted the pictures or something. Oh well, when he turned the other direction for a second I just walked away.

i have rolled into Angel stadium so many times (Anaheim, CA) with dSLR and different lenses (largest being a 70-200 F/4 - always handed security my obvious looking camera bag for bag check, no trouble, no questions asked. The only thing we would have to sneak in were cans of Dr. Pepper

However, from my experience unless you are behind the dugout - 200mm isn't gonna cut it, even from the lower level. You can figure that even the pros in the photo wells next to the dugout are using 300's and up, and your seat wont be quite as good, ever. You're better off with a wide angle to capture the big stadium in all its grandure and get some pics with your friends/family.

Yeah, I would think a TC or two would be called for; 200mm definitely isn't long enough.

Andrushka wrote in post #5496927
However, from my experience unless you are behind the dugout - 200mm isn't gonna cut it, even from the lower level. You can figure that even the pros in the photo wells next to the dugout are using 300's and up, and your seat wont be quite as good, ever. You're better off with a wide angle to capture the big stadium in all its grandure and get some pics with your friends/family.

Let's not forget that most of these pros likely aren't using a 1.6x crop body but a 1.3x 1D. Nevertheless, I really do agree. 200mm is barely enough unless you really enjoy cropping and have some serious faith in your lens.

For sure 200mm is sort. I only wish I had a TC.

I have been playing around here and trying to fit my 300mm into my little tiny bag. Which it does fit, packed nicely with my wool sweater I drag to game. I also have a little note form Shea staffers saying a ~6" lens is ok and well the 300mm is 7ish. So I fell this will be ok.

Needless to say I dont plan on getting any super great shots, maybe one nice one and bunch of ones I learn from. I'm taking, mounted of course, my 10-20mm for nice wide shots of Shea, Mom and Dad, our yearly mother's breakfast. If for some reason security say I cant use the lens then so be it.

I'm far from a pro, I just like take pictures and if cant then I will live. This game is more about time with my parents then pictures or baseball anyway. And in the end I think thats what 90% of my shots will be.

Mike

Well, how did it go at Shea today? You certainly saw a good game!

Game was good for sure.

As for bring a camera it went well. I had my 10-20, 70-200 and 300mm in a small bag. Security did not even give it a 2nd look.

So I shot the whole day with 300mm @ f/4-4.5 ISO 250 with shutter speeds 1/1000-4000s! I grabbed about 600 shots of the game, mostly from using high speed shooting mode. Using the 300mm gave me a good look at players in the infield I have only cropped a few shots the rest are as is. I did use the 70-200 at the end of the game to get the team handshakes and the 10-20 for a wide view of field.

Thanks for all the great input and advice everyone!

http://picasaweb.googl​e.com/mike.leone/Mothe​rSDayAtShea

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