Potential problem getting lens through security, need creative solutions

So here is the situation. My brother is graduating from University of Michigan next Saturday.

I rented a Canon 300mm f/4L IS lens to get some good shots of the ceremony. Based on past experiences I felt this was a good choice because of the IS and the fact that the ceremony is outdoors and slightly inclement weather will not cancel the ceremony, so I wanted to get a good shutter speed with overcast skies.

Most people probably do not know Barack Obama is speaking at the commencement ceremonies. Security has been increased.
I reviewed the security guidelines for the ceremony and the most specific guidance I could find was that "small cameras without cases are allowed".

My mom called me today and said they changed the security rules. Now, no cameras with lenses longer that 5 inches will be permitted. The 300mm is 8.7 inches. The lens is already paid for and in transit, so I would really like to find a way to make it work.

My 2 ideas, in order of preference, are:
1. Keep trying at different entrances until I find someone either inattentive or sympathetic,
or
2. Rent the 70-300 DO IS, which has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 at 300mm and is 3.9 inches. Is this lens good enough?

I also considered the offerings from Tamron which fall under the 5 inch limit, but maximum aperture at full zoom is 6.3, which makes me uncomfortable, both from a shutter speed and autofocus standpoint.

My other more remote idea is that they are allowing blankets and raingear. I had the idea of carrying in the camera with my nifty fifty and concealing the 300mm in some blankets and whatnot. Not exactly honest, but

I am attending with 7 other people, and the stadium is going to be an absolute zoo. I am wondering if the madness of the whole thing will create a situation where I could get away with the 300mm.

Any ideas, thoughts, or creative solutions? I am willing to try pretty much anything.

I checked the comparison between the 300mm and the 70-300 DO IS on the-digital-picture, and I am not really impressed.

I'm not sure what you mean by "sneak" it in, but there's a good chance you can find someone that will let it slide for whatever reason. You might also consider giving someone in charge a call and trying to get permission.

I'd caution against "sneaking it in" with the president around someone will think you're concealing a weapon or something dangerous ! Just call and ask for permission, explain the situation in full.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #10064179
I'd caution against "sneaking it in" with the president around someone will think you're concealing a weapon or something dangerous !

Especially since security personnel will know for a certainty that because of the access restriction, anything longer than 5" pointing at the stage cannot possibly be a camera lens.

Options:
The 70-300 DO, as you mention.
Get a 55-250 IS, crank up the ISO and crop as necessary.

Another possibility: see if you can wangle press accreditation. There may be a more stringent search, but fewer equipment restrictions, and you may be constrained to a set location (but a good one, photographically).

xarqi wrote in post #10064220
Especially since security personnel will know for a certainty that because of the access restriction, anything longer than 5" pointing at the stage cannot possibly be a camera lens.

Options:
The 70-300 DO, as you mention.
Get a 55-250 IS, crank up the ISO and crop as necessary.

+1.

I was at a graduation ceremony less than a year ago where Biden made an unannounced appearance because his neice was graduating from law school or grad school and I will tell you that aside from the obvious security at the gates, etc., they also have an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes security-- sharpshooters on all the nearby roofs/high points, plainclothes secret service mixed in among the regular attendees, etc. and anytime someone moved into a restricted zone or otherwise did something "fishy", the secret service swooped in quickly.

I wouldn't sneak anything in -- good way to wind up on the wrong end of a rifle scope.

Rent an acceptable option, or do without.

Rent a Canon 200mm F/2.8 L ( still a bit long at 5.35in) and 1.4x extender, keep them seperate and broken down.

This will give you the same sort of performance as the 300mm, then if you find f/4 is not enough or the iso is too high, then you can then go back to the 200mm f/2.8 by taking off the extender.

When you want to take photos, stand next to the secret service guys, so it's not mistaken.
If you hear "gun", then duck, and we'll read about you on the news.

Furner wrote in post #10064137
I checked the comparison between the 300mm and the 70-300 DO IS on the-digital-picture, and I am not really impressed.

Are you planning to make large prints of your photos of The President and your brother?

I suspect you will not see much difference at 8x10 and smaller, and the DO will likely make respectable prints to at least 12x18.

The secret service may kick you out and make you stop, but I am sure they'll well enough trained not to shoot you over a camera lens unless you whip it out at the worst possible moment.

When Obama spoke at UMD, I had no camera equipment but security seemed pretty light. But I wouldn't mess around out of fear of being detained.

I thought about press credentials. I do not think that there would be time to get anything of that sort arranged. I have no connections in the journalism field and I do not think I could arrange one of those deals where you buy a press pass in time.

lannes suggested the 200mm f/2.8. I could argue rounding and I do not think that anyone is going to do an exact measurement to see if I fit in the rules. I would be concerned about the 1.4TC because I am not allowed to bring in any bags, so I think it would look fishy if I were to bring it in stuffed in my pocket as opposed to having it attached to the camera (and then I would be above the 5 inch rule).

I am going to call tomorrow and play every card I can to try and get clearance ahead of time.

I really would like to try and find someone willing to bend the rules, but my concern there is that if I get turned down, I will be stuck on the outside with a lens in my possession that prohibits me from getting in, and no where to stash a $1300 lens. Getting back to the car would be really hard as all buses to the stadium will probably be running one-way routes at that time. It would take me 2-3 hours to get somewhere to stash the lens and return. They are telling everyone that you should be there by 9 in order to get through security, and gates open at 6:30. If I was absolutely turned away, I would miss it all.

When my cousin graduated from the Naval Academy, The president spoke. I'm pretty sure there is not going to be any way to sneak something in, or find a security guard that will let you slip it on by. When the Secret Service is involved, it's best to just follow the rules and stay on the safe side. You probably wont have to worry about getting shot, but getting tackled probably wont be good for your rented equipment.

Im wondering if Lensrentals.com will work with me on this. I could slap the return label on it when the UPS guy drops it off and see if I can get any refund towards the DO IS....


but man oh man I wanted to take that 300mm prime out to the airport this week!

I guess if I want to get the best quality I can, I will shoot in RAW and carry a small white balance card.