Actually, Gillette Stadium (home of the Patriots) does in fact allows dSLRs and specifically says so on their website.
To ensure that all fans have a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following items may not be carried into the stadium:
Bags of any kind, excluding small hand held purses, and plastic carrier bags carrying purchases made at the ProShop. Contents of these bags will be inspected. Any type of chair or seat other than those approved for persons with accessibility issues. Purses larger than an 8 1/2'' x 11'' x 6'' sheet of paper will NOT be allowed into the stadium. All video cameras are prohibited. Cameras that have detachable lenses are allowed, however, they will be checked. Electrical items such as small transistor radios, small TV monitors, audio recording equipment, cellphones etc will be allowed through the gates, however, you will be required to turn on the equipment to ensure it is what it appears to be. Seat cushions will be allowed into the stadium after they have been thoroughly checked by security. Binoculars will be allowed into the stadium. The binoculars will be checked first to ensure they are what they appear to be and all binocular cases will be checked. Flags will be allowed access into the stadium, however, flag poles over 2 feet in length will not be allowed (See banner policy).
I was able to go to the Pats-Bucs game in December with my 20D and 70-200 f/4L and had a great time. Results are here. Next time you go, be sure to bring it!
Actually, Gillette Stadium (home of the Patriots) does in fact allows dSLRs and specifically says so on their website.
Sonuva! What the hell did I read then? I now see what you quoted on both Patriots.com and the Gillete stadium site.. yet I SWEAR I read no cameras whatsoever. Wow.. don't I feel like a bonehead! I wish I'd have seen your post.. we had great 100-level seats too!
Sonuva! What the hell did I read then? I now see what you quoted on both Patriots.com and the Gillete stadium site.. yet I SWEAR I read no cameras whatsoever. Wow.. don't I feel like a bonehead! I wish I'd have seen your post.. we had great 100-level seats too!
..Okay, I respectfully retract my rant.
Well, don't fully retract it. Read the back of the ticket, I believe it says no cameras allowed. But I've been several times and had no issues. Security likes to check to make sure it's not really a flask of booze, but that's it.
Well, don't fully retract it. Read the back of the ticket, I believe it says no cameras allowed. But I've been several times and had no issues. Security likes to check to make sure it's not really a flask of booze, but that's it.
I don't have the ticket from the Miami game handy.. although my co-worker has a few tickets from previous seasons hanging in his office. They have no mention of restricted items on them.
The same is true for his collection of Fenway ticket stubs. I just looked up Fenway's policy.. they say cameras (including video) are permitted as long as they are not used "to recount the game". Yeah.. right!
As with most things in life, rules are rules, but interpretation and enforcement can be quite subjective.
Subjective, yes.. that's what I was getting at. I suspect if our friend Red Bull here had run into a different security guard (or even the same guard on a different day), he might not have even been stopped.
I tend to think of these rules about professional cameras are not very black and white. I have attended a sporting event that stated no lenses longer than 200mm but when I was sitting in the stands saw many telephotos and even some using monopods, another item on the list. It seems that the general idea is if you look more professional than others, say carrying a white lens, you will have the look of a "professonal" and could possibly be selling your photos to the public.
I really don't like the idea that people are limiting the camera you can bring into a sporting event. I can understand if you are bring in a HDTV video camera, but a still camera should be allowed as long as it's not over a certian amount of inches, as to not disturb others fans.
With the DSLR growing more popular with the general public it won't be long before these rules change and hopefully are more clear.
I tend to think of these rules about professional cameras are not very black and white. I have attended a sporting event that stated no lenses longer than 200mm but when I was sitting in the stands saw many telephotos and even some using monopods, another item on the list. It seems that the general idea is if you look more professional than others, say carrying a white lens, you will have the look of a "professonal" and could possibly be selling your photos to the public.
I really don't like the idea that people are limiting the camera you can bring into a sporting event. I can understand if you are bring in a HDTV video camera, but a still camera should be allowed as long as it's not over a certian amount of inches, as to not disturb others fans.
With the DSLR growing more popular with the general public it won't be long before these rules change and hopefully are more clear.
Rob
You could always take a roll of black fabric and velcro and sew yourself a black sleeve to go over various white sections of L-glass :-P
Or shoot with a magic drainpipe ^_^
- Scott http://framebyframe.ca [Bodies] Canon EOS 20D - Canon EOS 500 [Lenses] Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 - Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Tamron XR Di 28-75mm f/2.8 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
[Flash] Sigma EF500 Super DG Flash
[Tripod] Manfrotto 055 Pro Black
[Head] 484RC2, 200RC2
Well my dads friend (Robert) is friends with the VP of the Gulls. Robert told him about what happened and the VP didn't like the security goon handled it. The VP also said that the Gulls don't hire the security, nor do they like them. The arena hires them. They do not want them making season ticket holders angry since that is where most of their money is coming from. Anyway, the VP wants to know what I would like. I will probably be getting some free tickets and quite possibly a one-day media pass.
I really wasn't expecting to get anything free out of this. I didn't even know that Robert had told him, nor did I expect him to tell the VP about what happened.
Well my dads friend (Robert) is friends with the VP of the Gulls. Robert told him about what happened and the VP didn't like the security goon handled it. The VP also said that the Gulls don't hire the security, nor do they like them. The arena hires them. They do not want them making season ticket holders angry since that is where most of their money is coming from. Anyway, the VP wants to know what I would like. I will probably be getting some free tickets and quite possibly a one-day media pass.
I really wasn't expecting to get anything free out of this. I didn't even know that Robert had told him, nor did I expect him to tell the VP about what happened.
That sounds more like it, for a minor league team. I'm glad to hear you followed up, however inadvertently.
I wouldn't have had a problem if the bag checker at the entrance had told me "Sorry, no cameras allowed in here". It's the fact that I was let in with it, but told after that I couldn't have it. I mean, checking for things that aren't allowed in the arena is their job after all.
Having done said job a time or two, the guy at the front gate is looking for a very specific set of items: weapons and illegal substances. A camera is not illegal, nor does it qualify as a weapon to most folks. So to the security screener at the front gate your camera wasn't a problem. While this narow scope of search can lead to situations like you cite, it keeps the flow of fans into the arena moving, and allows them to focus far more on those two important items.
The folks inside the venue typically have a different set of things to be looking for, namely folks breaking the rules. This could be a drunk acting unrully, or a jerk that spends the entire game sitting on the back of the seat with his feet on the back of the seat in front of him, or any maner of other things that will detract from the entertainment experience of the majority of those in attendance.
I really wish a number of the folks that I've had to escort out of the venue over the years behaved as well as you did.
SmugMug Sorcerer - Engineering Team Champion for Commerce, Finance, Security, and Data Support http://wall-art.smugmug.com/
Well my dads friend (Robert) is friends with the VP of the Gulls. Robert told him about what happened and the VP didn't like the security goon handled it. The VP also said that the Gulls don't hire the security, nor do they like them. The arena hires them. They do not want them making season ticket holders angry since that is where most of their money is coming from. Anyway, the VP wants to know what I would like. I will probably be getting some free tickets and quite possibly a one-day media pass.
I really wasn't expecting to get anything free out of this. I didn't even know that Robert had told him, nor did I expect him to tell the VP about what happened.
I hope you have the opportunity to experience the game from the media
perspective--that sounds like a very good deal.
Look forward to the pictures
Ian
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
Well my dads friend pulled some strings and I get to choose ONE night to shoot with a media pass. I'm so happy! I mean, I wasn't demanding anything, but it's nice to know that the Gulls do care about their fans. I can't wait! I'll probbly be using it on the 18th when I have a big group (youth group) going to the game.
I'll probably be seeing the Gulls Vp at tonights game so I will have a chance to thank him.
I got a little insight into what drives these policies when I shot rehersals and a performance of Boston Ballet's Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House, which is owned by Clear Channel. At least in that case, there is a union issue. The Opera House is unionized. I don't belong to the right union. It was a big hassle and I had to sign a contract and pledge any profit from sale of the images to a charity.
Anyay, good local politics there. Have fun. I think it will be more fun because you had to work so hard to get it.
I got a little insight into what drives these policies when I shot rehersals and a performance of Boston Ballet's Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House, which is owned by Clear Channel. At least in that case, there is a union issue. The Opera House is unionized. I don't belong to the right union. It was a big hassle and I had to sign a contract and pledge any profit from sale of the images to a charity.
Anyay, good local politics there. Have fun. I think it will be more fun because you had to work so hard to get it.
So you're a union man now
Reminds me of being in Chicago for a trade show. Unions run that town.
Ian
Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
Comments
I was able to go to the Pats-Bucs game in December with my 20D and 70-200 f/4L and had a great time. Results are here. Next time you go, be sure to bring it!
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
..Okay, I respectfully retract my rant.
Well, don't fully retract it. Read the back of the ticket, I believe it says no cameras allowed. But I've been several times and had no issues. Security likes to check to make sure it's not really a flask of booze, but that's it.
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Hawks
Georgia Tech football
Auburn Tigers football
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
www.sidelinepictures.com
The same is true for his collection of Fenway ticket stubs. I just looked up Fenway's policy.. they say cameras (including video) are permitted as long as they are not used "to recount the game". Yeah.. right! Subjective, yes.. that's what I was getting at. I suspect if our friend Red Bull here had run into a different security guard (or even the same guard on a different day), he might not have even been stopped.
I really don't like the idea that people are limiting the camera you can bring into a sporting event. I can understand if you are bring in a HDTV video camera, but a still camera should be allowed as long as it's not over a certian amount of inches, as to not disturb others fans.
With the DSLR growing more popular with the general public it won't be long before these rules change and hopefully are more clear.
Rob
I'd strongly suggest seeing what the stadium/arena/team puts on their website.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
You could always take a roll of black fabric and velcro and sew yourself a black sleeve to go over various white sections of L-glass :-P
Or shoot with a magic drainpipe ^_^
http://framebyframe.ca
[Bodies] Canon EOS 20D - Canon EOS 500
[Lenses] Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 - Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Tamron XR Di 28-75mm f/2.8 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
[Flash] Sigma EF500 Super DG Flash
[Tripod] Manfrotto 055 Pro Black
[Head] 484RC2, 200RC2
Exactly. And with any set of rules; you can't be too upset if they don;t rule
in your favor.
Ian
I really wasn't expecting to get anything free out of this. I didn't even know that Robert had told him, nor did I expect him to tell the VP about what happened.
http://redbull.smugmug.com
"Money can't buy happiness...But it can buy expensive posessions that make other people envious, and that feels just as good.":D
Canon 20D, Canon 50 1.8 II, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40 f/4 L, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 430ex.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
www.sidelinepictures.com
Having done said job a time or two, the guy at the front gate is looking for a very specific set of items: weapons and illegal substances. A camera is not illegal, nor does it qualify as a weapon to most folks. So to the security screener at the front gate your camera wasn't a problem. While this narow scope of search can lead to situations like you cite, it keeps the flow of fans into the arena moving, and allows them to focus far more on those two important items.
The folks inside the venue typically have a different set of things to be looking for, namely folks breaking the rules. This could be a drunk acting unrully, or a jerk that spends the entire game sitting on the back of the seat with his feet on the back of the seat in front of him, or any maner of other things that will detract from the entertainment experience of the majority of those in attendance.
I really wish a number of the folks that I've had to escort out of the venue over the years behaved as well as you did.
http://wall-art.smugmug.com/
I hope you have the opportunity to experience the game from the media
perspective--that sounds like a very good deal.
Look forward to the pictures
Ian
Well my dads friend pulled some strings and I get to choose ONE night to shoot with a media pass. I'm so happy! I mean, I wasn't demanding anything, but it's nice to know that the Gulls do care about their fans. I can't wait! I'll probbly be using it on the 18th when I have a big group (youth group) going to the game.
I'll probably be seeing the Gulls Vp at tonights game so I will have a chance to thank him.
http://redbull.smugmug.com
"Money can't buy happiness...But it can buy expensive posessions that make other people envious, and that feels just as good.":D
Canon 20D, Canon 50 1.8 II, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40 f/4 L, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro, Canon 430ex.
Excellent news! Good work and I look forward to the shots of the game.
Ian
Anyay, good local politics there. Have fun. I think it will be more fun because you had to work so hard to get it.
So you're a union man now
Reminds me of being in Chicago for a trade show. Unions run that town.
Ian