Shooting professional sports (NHL) with a DSLR - access denied!

[Jim K]

I took my Rebel to a Washington Nationals game (MLB) and security measured my 55-250mm lens against a dollar bill. Since it was shorter than a dollar bill it wasn't considered a professional zoom and I was allowed to use it.

The Nationals spring training stadium is here in Viera, FL and until last year it was OK to shoot with my 100-400 on a 50D or 7D. Last year they started a "six inch" rule. Good thing I had my lighter 70-200 f/4 IS with the 1.4X in my pocket. I guess it was close enough to 6" to get in. I'm thinking of telling my wife that I need a 70-300 L because of the new rule ;D

 

[briansquibb]

Did you check the stadiums guidelines before you headed out? I never have, I just assume that it's alright to bring a camera to a sporting event like these, but maybe it's a stadium specific rule?

No I did not. I guess it was stupid of me not doing so however :-[

JR, check the venue website for your NHL team.

Body in 1 pocket, lens in the other

I guess this is a very good suggestion you guys bring here. I will make sure to do that going forward. I guess the reason this never crossed my mind was those tickets were season tickets I get access to all the time so it was not the first time I went there. Just the first time I thought of bringing my camera. It'll teach me not to check the website first. I will try going back before the end of the season (Montreal will miss the playoof for sure so not too many home game left!)...and if there is no way to bring my DSLR, well maybe I will give the G1X a try!

 

[JR]

I wonder how the "no detachable lens" rule will apply - or if it does get applied - to small mirrorless cameras with detachable lenses?

For sure they would need to adjst for that. I just could see them refusing a small camera because it is detachable lens! Then again I am sure they have not thought about it yet!

 

[JR]

Body in 1 pocket, lens in the other is also a good suggestion Brina! I wouder if a zellus security guard would think I pulling a fast one on him ... assuning he knows how to put both togethers! - lol

Now I would also love to shoot at school game venue but given my daughter is only 2 years old, I have a long to go there

 

[Imagination_landB]

So last night I was all excited because I add ring seat to an NHL game in Montreal so I thought lets bring the 5D mkII with my 135mm and take some cool shots right! I see so many sports pictures being posted here that I thought this would be fun!
[/i]

I read the bell center rules juste before I had to go and i'm glad I did. In every single arena around the league(I thinl, maybe just here in canada..) if you don't have a media pass you can't bring your dslr stuff. I went To an Mtl Alouettes game this years and had ni problem to bring my camera , same for L'impact.. but I don't know now, they are in MLS this year.. I also went to a Blue Jays game and again no problem with my Dslr.

 

[Imagination_landB]

This thread made me email the organizers of the London Olympics to check on their rules..... I was lucky enough to get tickets to a couple of events and will be seriously annoyed if they won't let me bring my camera....

Hope for you it's gone to be ok! that would be a big disapointment for such a big event

 

[Caps18]

I took my Rebel to a Washington Nationals game (MLB) and security measured my 55-250mm lens against a dollar bill. Since it was shorter than a dollar bill it wasn't considered a professional zoom and I was allowed to use it.

The Nationals spring training stadium is here in Viera, FL and until last year it was OK to shoot with my 100-400 on a 50D or 7D. Last year they started a "six inch" rule. Good thing I had my lighter 70-200 f/4 IS with the 1.4X in my pocket. I guess it was close enough to 6" to get in. I'm thinking of telling my wife that I need a 70-300 L because of the new rule ;D

That makes sense to me.

I was denied access with a DSLR at a few events. It makes a high quality pocket camera an important thing sometimes...

 

[daltech]

First and foremost JR, GO HABS GO !!

Seriously, you should have informed yourself AHEAD of time, never 'assume'

I am from the Ottawa area (still a HABS fan though !), and on January 2nd my 5 years old was on the Scotia Bank Place ice at 4pm for an hour, I was allowed to bring my 40D and my 70-200mm f/2.8 II USM to take shots of him and my older son (ref) from the Sens' bench where they sat. When their hour was over, the security guard behind me, warned me that I wasn't allowed that 'lens/camera' at the game that evening, as it was considered professional gear, my understanding in Ottawa is the same, no detachable lens.

Bernard

 

[JR]

First and foremost JR, GO HABS GO !!

Seriously, you should have informed yourself AHEAD of time, never 'assume'

I am from the Ottawa area (still a HABS fan though !), and on January 2nd my 5 years old was on the Scotia Bank Place ice at 4pm for an hour, I was allowed to bring my 40D and my 70-200mm f/2.8 II USM to take shots of him and my older son (ref) from the Sens' bench where they sat. When their hour was over, the security guard behind me, warned me that I wasn't allowed that 'lens/camera' at the game that evening, as it was considered professional gear, my understanding in Ottawa is the same, no detachable lens.

Bernard

You are right I should have for sure! I just never thought of my 5D with a 135 lens as a monterous camera that I need permission to use no matter where I went - naively of course!

As far as GO HABS GO - this season I am afraid we are dead in the water, so we can focus on picture taking instead ...

 

[wireplanner]

One thing I hate is the "no professional cameras allowed" or "no detectable lens" .
I bought the new SX40 HS to solve this problem. It`s got the reach and the IQ is better than I thought
it would be. It not the same as my 7D and 70-200, but it works.

 

[TexPhoto]

I attend the games of my pro soccer team and have been allowed field access several times because of my BWL (Big White Lens). But pro Soccer here is like triple A baseball in other places, they are happy to have people show up period.

That said, try out your local semi-pro teams, college teams and high school. I don't live near triple AAA teams anymore, but when I did, I had no problem getting in with gear.

Make contacts and inquiries ahead of time. Join something so thou can say you are a part of something. The ____photo club... Heck, find a local newspaper and ask to be an unpaid intern/staffer.

 

[markIVantony]

Unfortunately you do have to check the venues. Here's an example:
- camera body cannot exceed 3" in length/depth
- detachable lenses must be less than 5 inches long and 3.5 in diameter
- combined camera/lens must be 8" or less in overall length
- all other attachments are prohibited including wide angle lenses!

Care to guess why wide-angle lenses are prohibited?

 

[photophreek]

Unlike other major league sports (MLB, NFL, NBA), the NHL owns all the photo/video rights in each of the arenas in the league. If I remember correctly, these rules are stated on the ticket. So it's not the venue that is imposing the photo rules but the league. It doesn't matter what type of camera you are bringing into the arena.

 

[JR]

Unlike other major league sports (MLB, NFL, NBA), the NHL owns all the photo/video rights in each of the arenas in the league. If I remember correctly, these rules are stated on the ticket. So it's not the venue that is imposing the photo rules but the league. It doesn't matter what type of camera you are bringing into the arena.

AT least in the Montreal arena they actually let you in with any small non-DSLR camera (point and shoot basically) - and if you think about it that make sense because if they were to forbid that they might as well forbit an iPhone as well! So I guess we are allowed candid pictures of the fans and your friends with you and maybe a candid picture of a player if you are lucky unought to be sitting close, but nothing that can give a "professional look" which would compete with the accredited photographer by the NHL...

What is funny is that this morning on the local radio I kept hearing about some pictures that were taken yesterday by supposidly one of the best sport photographer in Montreal, and the guy was sitting next two rows from me yesterday during the game. I would have gotten great shots...lesson learn in any case. This is an interesting topic.

I certainly learned a lot from all the response!

 

[karminator]

I took my Rebel to a Washington Nationals game (MLB) and security measured my 55-250mm lens against a dollar bill. Since it was shorter than a dollar bill it wasn't considered a professional zoom and I was allowed to use it.

The Nationals spring training stadium is here in Viera, FL and until last year it was OK to shoot with my 100-400 on a 50D or 7D. Last year they started a "six inch" rule. Good thing I had my lighter 70-200 f/4 IS with the 1.4X in my pocket. I guess it was close enough to 6" to get in. I'm thinking of telling my wife that I need a 70-300 L because of the new rule ;D

Too funny 8)

 

[Arkarch]

Not Sports - but -

Disney theme parks have had security bag-check rules that prohibit long lenses and tripods. Interpretation tends to vary depending on calls by the security personnel.

The suspected reason for the ban on long lenses has been paparazzi concerns when celebrities are in the park.

The tripod issue tends to vary more and likely related to crowding issues; I had no problem bringing a Manfrotto 055 in over the early December; but not so sure that would be good around New Years.

 

[lynx0069]

longtime lurker, decided to reply to this thread since it is a good one
i have been to numerous blue jays games at the skydome (it is NOT rogers center) and have never had a problem getting my gripped XSi, and 100-400L past security in a backpack, they ask me to open it all up for inspection, and the most comments i get is wow, nice lens.
i have also taken same setup into ivor wynne for ticats games and once again, never a problen.
a friend at work is going to the alumni game this week end at ivor wynne with his XSi, and my 100-400, hope they let him in lol

 

[daniemare]

quote author JR
I wonder how the "no detachable lens" rule will apply - or if it does get applied - to small mirrorless cameras with detachable lenses?

quote author dilbert
For sure they would need to adjst for that. I just could see them refusing a small camera because it is detachable lens! Then again I am sure they have not thought about it yet!

At the Calgary flames venue my T1i and lens (not big and definitely not white) was not allowed because of the interchangeable lens rule. I took it with for memories photo's (17-50 F2.8) as it was our first hockey game and would never have been able to get action shots with it. However, my wife's GF3 with intergangible lens was fine - because the security guard said P&S cameras are allowed.

So next time I will take the "P&S" with a longer lens (14-140) in another pocket because don't worry, P&Shoots are allowed.

 

[bigblue1ca]

AT least in the Montreal arena they actually let you in with any small non-DSLR camera (point and shoot basically)

Same goes here. Here's the policy of the MTS Centre (keeping in mind the company that owns the arena owns the Jets):

Cameras
Professional cameras are prohibited at all events in MTS Centre unless accompanied by appropriate facility media credentials. Video cameras and audio recorders are also prohibited unless specifically approved. MTS Centre will not check cameras for guests at events that cameras are prohibited, and they must therefore be taken back to vehicles or surrendered. Still (non-professional) cameras are allowed for Winnipeg Jets hockey games and certain other events (the use of flash is prohibited). If unsure of camera policy for an event, please check in advance.

What's vague in this policy is what defines a "professional camera", but for all intensive purposes it includes all DSLRs in their eyes. Even though the new G1X is pushing some of the DSLRs for quality based on what I've read here. I think it's because it is easy to tell low paid/part time security people, if it has a detachable lens and a DSLR body it's not allowed.

 

[Michael_pfh]

When I was working on a project assignment in Seattle last year I wanted to watch a match of the Seahawks. As I was planning to bring my 400F2.8 on a monopod I did send them an inquiry beforehand if that would be allowed. It wasn't, here's what I got as a reply:

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your email and support. The following is our camera policy;

Personal photography is permitted at Qwest Field provided the images are for personal use only; however, any audio or video recording is in violation of the National Football League. Photographic support tools that may interfere with others' enjoyment of the game (tripods, professional lenses - larger than 200 mm, etc.) are not permitted in the stadium.

For more information on stadium policies you can view our stadium guide online at http://www.seahawks.com/gameday/stadium-guide/gameday-policies.html.

Sincerely,

Seattle Seahawks/CenturyLink Field Customer Service
(888) NFL-HAWK
12 Seahawks Way
Renton, WA 98056