3" limit at NFL games

Here's what I don't get. Why would you want to take action photos from the stands anyway? The old pressman's rule of "f/8 and be there" teaches that position is just as important as the gear. If you have the gear but are NOT in a good position, you'll end up with photos that are not that good, right? I'd rather shoot a football game with a 135L from the sidelines than with a 300 f/2.8 from the stands.

When I go to watch an event, I always leave the camera home.

For me it is a once in a lifetime event. Opening day at a brand new stadium and since our seats are almost on the field, we are right next to where the team comes out and goes back in. Back in Feb when we were in Miami, lots of players were staying at our hotel and after taking a walk along the beach with my camara to get some evening pictures, a few notable players came up to us and started to talk camaras (I guess they are also into taking snaps). In a situation like that I would not even try to take a picture and invade their private space but they wanted to have their pictures taken with us and even had another player take them. I not talking about minimum pay NFL players, these were huge names making huge money.

bakatari wrote in post #10766212
I think they just dont want any old yahoo coming in with a 1dm3 and a 300 f2.8 and sit in the stands with it. I can't see an ungripped, 7d or xti being an issue. What is your main goal for pictures at the game? How far away are you sitting? Are you trying to take action shots, like a pro? Do you have season tickets or just a one time thing? Is it worth it for you to buy another lens specific for the purpose of sports/action shots?

If I were wanting to get a long lens into the game, and had the funds for this specific purpose, it would be to get a 200mm f2.8 and a 2x converter. That is about all you would need for your 1.6 crop bodies.

+1 for the 200 2.8 + 2x. The 200 2.8 is amazingly sharp and even with the 2x it should serve you well

Safeco in Seattle has a 200mm limit. Problem with using that lens with a 2x is it really is only good for daytime games. I tried it. Something with a high iso performance like a 7d would probably be ok.

My XSi not so much. I got nothing I would want to show anyone.

robert61 wrote in post #10766267
These new restrictions are rediculous. So... vote with your wallet. Stop buying their tickets and let them know why.

Or ... go to the game without a camera and enjoy the show? Just a thought.

I like to shoot professional surfing, and since the beaches are public, they can't do squat. Hence, you get to do what you want. The catch is water photography. You have to be a pro and chosen to be able to swim out there to get water shots. Of course, that's something I would not want to do, since sometimes the contests are held in twenty-foot surf.

I had luck doing several big ten college football games last year with the 200mm 2.8. Absolutely nothing was said and there was no problem. I think black lenses are more likely to get in than the white ones. Of course, I had the 1.4 extender in my pocket.

I think Pro & college football teams should spend more time controlling drunks and rowdy fans than worring about the size of lenses.

n1as wrote in post #10767575
Here's what I don't get. Why would you want to take action photos from the stands anyway? The old pressman's rule of "f/8 and be there" teaches that position is just as important as the gear. If you have the gear but are NOT in a good position, you'll end up with photos that are not that good, right? I'd rather shoot a football game with a 135L from the sidelines than with a 300 f/2.8 from the stands.

When I go to watch an event, I always leave the camera home.

If every fan had this choice, then everyone would agree with you and be on the sidelines with the 135mm L. But the choice for a fan is shoot from the stands or don't shoot at all. There are some great positions from the stands to shoot from. Years back I worked for a football publication and did many games from the sidelines. For certain plays the slight elevation you get from the stands over field level can be a good thing. The drawback of course is the distance.

robert61 wrote in post #10766267
These new restrictions are rediculous. So... vote with your wallet. Stop buying their tickets and let them know why.

Yeh, that will show them. I bet the hobbiest wannabe pro photographers make up a huge percentage of their ticket base.

n1as wrote in post #10767575
Here's what I don't get. Why would you want to take action photos from the stands anyway? The old pressman's rule of "f/8 and be there" teaches that position is just as important as the gear. If you have the gear but are NOT in a good position, you'll end up with photos that are not that good, right? I'd rather shoot a football game with a 135L from the sidelines than with a 300 f/2.8 from the stands.

When I go to watch an event, I always leave the camera home.

Anders Östberg wrote in post #10767912
Or ... go to the game without a camera and enjoy the show? Just a thought.

yeah obviously if everyone was out to get the best shots they could they'd want to be on the sidelines...but that's not going to happen...the difference between taking a point and shoot, and an SLR isn't too much sometimes...

also taking 20-30 photos during a game really isn't much anyways...and it's kinda fun...you can still enjoy the game, it's not like you're missing out on anything by trying to take a couple pictures...think of all the plays you miss when you get food/go to the bathroom...

i was able to snap of this shot during a game...yeah it's not great, was taken from way up in the 3rd deck...but it was from brett favres last season ever....oh wait...he forgot to actually retire that year

JHunter wrote in post #10766944
And they don't do a very good job of enforcing that. Last game I was at I brought my 300/2.8, no problem.

I bet the people sitting around you really appreciated that.

Hogloff wrote in post #10768733
I bet the people sitting around you really appreciated that.

I was sitting next to the camera well, nobody infront of me, nobody behind me, and only my family next to me. So actually, it didn't bother anyone. I would not take it when I didn't know I was sitting in an area it wouldn't get in the way.

DreDaze wrote in post #10768727
yeah obviously if everyone was out to get the best shots they could they'd want to be on the sidelines...but that's not going to happen...the difference between taking a point and shoot, and an SLR isn't too much sometimes...

also taking 20-30 photos during a game really isn't much anyways...and it's kinda fun...you can still enjoy the game, it's not like you're missing out on anything by trying to take a couple pictures...think of all the plays you miss when you get food/go to the bathroom...

i was able to snap of this shot during a game...yeah it's not great, was taken from way up in the 3rd deck...but it was from brett favres last season ever....oh wait...he forgot to actually retire that year

This is how look at it as well. If you're into photography as a hobby and a sports fan, why not take the camera? The challenge to get a shot of a great hit or catch adds to the fun of the game.

Good shot. If they didn't call offensive holding on this one, the ref must have been from New York!

nightcat wrote in post #10768843
This is how look at it as well. If you're into photography as a hobby and a sports fan, why not take the camera? The challenge to get a shot of a great hit or catch adds to the fun of the game.

Good shot. If they didn't call offensive holding on this one, the ref must have been from New York!

I dont bother anymore, i bring my cam for candids of the fans, but when it comes to the game i dont bother as well i dont own any of those lightweight consumer 70-300 lenses, only a a 70-200 2.8 now and hopefully a 300 2. by the end of this year. and i wouldnt buy a 70-300 just for the occasion, so ehh i just watch the game.

I can understand being a fan and wanting to photograph your team or favourite player.

From a photography standpoint I however much prefer to hone my skills at lower leagues where you get full access to the field, and "be a photographer" fully for the day rather than get only semi-interesting pictures with a too short lens from the stands. Hopefully you can also work your way up from the lower leagues by making the right kind of pictures, get them published, and show that perhaps you should be given a chance at more interesting events.

Whatever floats your boat is OK though - the most important thing with a hobby is of course to please yourself first.