2012 London Olympics

[westr70]

This may not be for everyone, but they start on Friday and I'm going, so I can guarantee at least one person will be posting in here.
I was so upset about not getting any swimming tickets I went out and bought a 5D MkIII and a 70-200 2.8 L II lens, so my future posts will be using that.
(I subsequently managed to get some swimming tickets so am now effectively bankrupt)

Nice shots.  Have fun.

[squarebox]

You are only allowed Samsung or Panasonic cameras in, in case you upset the sponsors.

Not really.  But probably the next goodwill sapping doctrine that will be issued.

Personally I wouldn't bother taking a camera.  Sky plus it, keep the newspapers.  Enjoy the experience when you are there.  Don't shoot me down in flames, just a humble opinion.

Except all the cameras in the pool itself are 1Dxs... 

[adebrophy]

The sailing was really relaxed - no one seemed to bothered by my camera bag and measuring the lengths of the lenses. As I only had a feeble 70-200 and was up on the hill there wasn't much of a chance to get good sports photos so it was all about the audience shots for me. Really great atmosphere and wonderful event.

Little gallery here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adebrophy/sets/72157630841746674/

[paul13walnut5]

@squarebox

Except all the cameras in the pool itself are 1Dxs... 

Reluctant as I am to point this out, but I would have thought it immediately apparent that I was being ironic, given recent media coverage of the threat to deny entry to folk wearing rival brands from the official sponsors.

I had hoped that where I had typed

Not really.

that this would have given the game away THAT I WASN'T BEING SERIOUS, THAT IT WASN'T A STATEMENT WHICH HAD A BASIS IN FACT in case anybody really didn't get it.

Apparently not though, so I thank you for the comment.   

If they are in the pool then Canon must have really upped their waterproofing? I hope nobody has to change lenses...

Not really... etc etc

[MiceBass]

So far I've attended events at the Aquatic Centre, Water Polo Arena and the Basketball Arena inside the Olympic Park, plus Earl's Court and The North Greenwich Arena (O2).

I have taken a 5D mkIII, 70-200 2.8 L II and a 2x extender III and I have not had anything remotely approaching a problem anywhere, with the exception of the O2 where one of the volunteers said there was a limit of 15 cm and so I showed him a printout of the restrictions and he apologised. I sense even without that he would have let me in.

All very friendly, all very relaxed. Will post examples once I've gone through the 64GB (count them!) of images.

[candyman]

The sailing was really relaxed - no one seemed to bothered by my camera bag and measuring the lengths of the lenses. As I only had a feeble 70-200 and was up on the hill there wasn't much of a chance to get good sports photos so it was all about the audience shots for me. Really great atmosphere and wonderful event.

Little gallery here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adebrophy/sets/72157630841746674/

I like the voice operated tripod 
But it is one you have to feed, isn't it? 

[dolina]

I think the restrictions are there for health & safety and contractual reasons.

But with smartphones having more pixels that pro SLRs these restrictions become impossible to impose when it comes to contractual reasons.

[wickidwombat]

So far I've attended events at the Aquatic Centre, Water Polo Arena and the Basketball Arena inside the Olympic Park, plus Earl's Court and The North Greenwich Arena (O2).

I have taken a 5D mkIII, 70-200 2.8 L II and a 2x extender III and I have not had anything remotely approaching a problem anywhere, with the exception of the O2 where one of the volunteers said there was a limit of 15 cm and so I showed him a printout of the restrictions and he apologised. I sense even without that he would have let me in.

All very friendly, all very relaxed. Will post examples once I've gone through the 64GB (count them!) of images.

Out of interest what are the restrictions for mere mortals that don't have press passes?

[adebrophy]

The sailing was really relaxed - no one seemed to bothered by my camera bag and measuring the lengths of the lenses. As I only had a feeble 70-200 and was up on the hill there wasn't much of a chance to get good sports photos so it was all about the audience shots for me. Really great atmosphere and wonderful event.

Little gallery here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adebrophy/sets/72157630841746674/

I like the voice operated tripod 
But it is one you have to feed, isn't it? 

You're right there, Candyman. That's why I can't afford one right now! 

[adebrophy]

So far I've attended events at the Aquatic Centre, Water Polo Arena and the Basketball Arena inside the Olympic Park, plus Earl's Court and The North Greenwich Arena (O2).

I have taken a 5D mkIII, 70-200 2.8 L II and a 2x extender III and I have not had anything remotely approaching a problem anywhere, with the exception of the O2 where one of the volunteers said there was a limit of 15 cm and so I showed him a printout of the restrictions and he apologised. I sense even without that he would have let me in.

All very friendly, all very relaxed. Will post examples once I've gone through the 64GB (count them!) of images.

Out of interest what are the restrictions for mere mortals that don't have press passes?

Hey Wickid - the restrictions are described here - as people have said above it's really about equipment over 30cm, which does include tripods and monopods.

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/General/01/25/44/06/Prohibitedandrestricteditemslists_Neutral.pdf

[expatinasia]

I am surprised by just how many photographers there are at the swimming event. I know it is a popular discipline, but there does seem to be an awful lot there.

And I do agree with someone's comments about enjoying the sport, or game. I have often gone to a match, sat on the pitch, worrying about angles, shots, light, the crowd, rain etc. and never really watched the game at all. Sometimes it would be nice to just watch and enjoy it, that's what my TV is for. Sometimes you have to just say enough.

[Narcolepsy]

It was very dark in the ExCel - and the Sabre is fast!
5D2, 70-200 2.8 II @200mm, 1/1250, f2.8, ISO3200

[rcarca]

Nobody paid a moments notice to my camera or lenses. The only time I was stopped was when I forgot I had a full bottle of water in my bag going through security. Once a soldier had satisfied himself that it was not explosive or poisonous by asking me to drink some, he let me through 

Brilliant atmosphere, great fun. Eat your heart out Mitt Romney!

[Narcolepsy]

Like others have said - no hassle getting camera and lenses in. The soldiers on security were fantastic.

5D2, 70-200 2.8 II @200mm, 1/1000, f2.8, ISO1600

[expatinasia]

That was a great moment when he won. Great shot. Not my fav sport by any means, but I did find the American's style rather amusing! I wonder how much Nike paid him to wear those silly shoes?!