Q? - Empire State Building Photography

ARKreations

I'll be traveling to NYC this weekend and would like to try to capture the NYC skyline from the Empire State Building. I've read the info on the ESB web site and understand that there are limitations on what I can/cannot take. But I'm concerned about the following from the prohibited items list:
"Professional cameras, equipment and camera stands: mono-pods, bi-pods and tri-pods"

What exactly do they consider (and how strictly do they enforce) Professional Cameras?
I'm planning on taking either my D300 or D700 along with 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 (and maybe my 14-24 if carry-on space permits).
Will they allow me to enter with that? And if not, will they tell me before I have to pay?

Any other tips/advice is also appreciated.
Thanks,

moose135

It's been a few years, but I went up there with a DSLR a few times - Canon 40D, I think I was shooting with by my last visit. And I know I had the big Canon 100-400 with me on one visit - I had just bought it at B&H that day.

digitalpins

I have been there several times, with both of my canon dslr's and no problems at all.... just dont bring a monopod or tripod. Again I had both dslrs one hanging around my neck and my other in my small camera bag. In fact it was a bunch of my photo buddies about 10 of us only time they said something was when one of them pulled out a monopod.

Just something you should check out as I stated above I been to the Empire State Building but I prefer the top of Rockefeller Center beautiful views and great shots of the Empire State Building with the skyline behind it you can get great shots. http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

Again you should be just fine here with a DSLR.

ARKreations

Thanks for the input. As it turns out, the TOR is closer to my hotel than I thought it was. So I may just take that advice. I figure that I'm probably only going to have a couple of non-working hours to get out and shoot, so between TOR and a trip to B&H I'm probably looking at a full schedule.

BradfordBenn

You may also want to grab Andy's book about shooting in NYC he has some other cool locations. Photographing New York City Digital Field Guide

ARKreations

Wow - great resource! Thanks for the link.
Unfortunately, no time to order before the trip, but well worth perusing the preview for tips on my prime targets! Will definitely purchase if I get to go back for an extended visit.

Pteranodon

Professional cameras? That's interesting, I can understand your bewilderment. These days, I don't know how any sort of distinction can be made based on gear alone. Maybe the ESB realizes the policy is a bit obtuse-sounding but they figure it will filter out a certain commercial element. My experience in the past has usually been that if a venue really wants to keep SLR cameras out they often have language like "no cameras with interchangeable lenses"......

moose135

I recently went to Nationals Park in DC to watch my Mets lose, and their website specified no cameras with a lens greater than 8". In the past, when security questions my camera/lens combo (in the absence of specific guidelines) I usually answer "They always let me bring it in before!"