Camera in Fed Ex Field (near Washington DC)

DaC · September 21, 2007

Any one know if you can bring a DSLR (Nikon D70s with Tamron 70-300 1:4-5.6 zoom) into pro Football games at Fed Ex Field? I looked on the web but could not find a phone number or a link to policy. I do not want to be seen walking back to my car to store my camera while I am at a game. I have not been to a pro football game in 25 years or so. The friend who is taking me does not use a DSLR camera. The pictures would be just for my self and the friend who got the tickets. The lense is not fast enough to be a threat to pro photographers but the guy at the gate likely will not understand that.

Thank in advance.
John

DaC · September 21, 2007

Finally got a number. They only allow pocket cameras. DSLR with zoom is out. I will have to take the wife's Cannon.

For the forum monitor. If you want to remove the threat that is fine with me.
John

Travis · September 21, 2007

DaC wrote:

Finally got a number. They only allow pocket cameras. DSLR with zoom is out. I will have to take the wife's Cannon.

For the forum monitor. If you want to remove the threat that is fine with me.
John

Actually John, I was wondering about this myself so it has been a benefit. Hard to believe that they would actually differentiate between a DSLR and and a pocket camera. From the vantage point, the images that you could probably get to compete with the pros are wide angle stadium shots. It is even more surprising in that "pocket" cameras now-a-days have zoom features and enough megapixels to create images that compete with DSLRs. the only thing I can think of is that they don't want a full gadget bag being packed in but who would want to do that anyway.

Great question. Thanks.

Foochar · September 21, 2007

There was actually a recent incident where someone was removed from the stands at FedEx Field because of their SLR camera. The incident caught the notice of one of the writers at The Washington Post and made it onto their website. The stadium management (specifically senior vice president Karl Swanson) has since stated that the security guards were in error and that still cameras (but not video cameras) are permitted, and that no distinction is made between "professional" and "amateur" camera. The two pieces are at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/09/redskins_take_all_the_pix_you.html and at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/09/you_cant_take_pictures_here_co.html.

You may want to call back and ask them to verify that a DSLR with a zoom lens is prohibited, as that seems to conflict with the statement made by senior vice president Karl Swanson to Marc Fisher of The Washington Post.

wmstumme · September 21, 2007

Another thing to consider is that most pro stadiums won't let you bring anysort of bag/backpack in anymore. One time I had a pair of binoculars in a case; the binocs were okay but the case couldn't enter. Fortunately I wasn't parked too far away and could put it back in the car...

Haven't been to FEDEX lately--but this was from a P/S back in about 2003 or 2004...

Yes that is a RAVEN's hat...

wxwax · September 21, 2007

Funny how sports differ. The Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners didn't care, which I assume means MLB doesn't care. I took one into an Atlanta Hawks game too, no-one said anything.

The Thrashers/NHL wouldn't allow it, though.

This is why I enjoy going to college sports, they don't seem to care at all.

SloYerRoll · September 21, 2007

I've read in a few post here that some stadiums have a lens length restriction.
i.e. No lens' over 5" allowed in. Body type or size doesn't matter. All you need to do is have a reflex lens in that case! Then you get that nasty halo bokeh though.

-Jon

ian408 · September 22, 2007

The best place to ask this question is the event venue's web site. They'll
usually list what is or isn't allowed. Same with the back of the ticket too.

JWilbur26 · September 24, 2007

Down here in Jacksonville, you can bring a DSLR camera into the stadium with all your goodies in a bag, so long as there is not a lens longer than 6 inches. My 55-200 is about 4 when at 55 but probably 7 or at when at 200. They don't know the difference and I haven't been hassled.

Not sure if it is a security thing so much as a "patriot incident" thing. They are scared of people recording the game but unfortunately the screeners aren't smart enough to understand that DSLR cannot take video.

ccpickre · September 24, 2007

I go to Indiana University, and they are fairly particular sometimes. But one of our photogs seems to get in with his 400 no problem and shoots from the stands which is funny.

wxwax · September 24, 2007

ccpickre wrote:

I go to Indiana University, and they are fairly particular sometimes. But one of our photogs seems to get in with his 400 no problem and shoots from the stands which is funny.

I shoot with a 300 2.8 at GaTech football, baseball and softball games, and no-one bats an eye.

DaC · September 24, 2007

In the way of a follow up. I went to the game and had a great time up until the second half - but those comments would be for a fan based website.
After reading the comments here I called again and found that DSLRs are allowed. They did not want to see long lenses - but the ticket office could not tell me what that was. To play it safe I took the 18-70 kit lense that came with my D-70. Our tickets included a before the game field pass that allowed me to go down to the sidelines. I noticed that longer glass for the fans was the norm. Most people had lenses that were the roughly the size of my Tamron 70-300 so I could have likely taken that one instead. I now believe the issue with lenses are pro grade zooms. I saw fans - both on the field and in the stands - with lenses that looked to run in the 200 mm range some with VR, but none of lenses were big enough to be very fast. While I was on the field the people shooting longer lenses had security in front of them (to insure the fans did not get in the way of players warming up). The security official standing in front of me even moved a foot this way or that so I could get the shots I wanted.
I read the link to the Washington Post author linked above. I am at a loss to explain the difference in the experience I had and the one described in the article. Do the pro photographers that are on the field need to pay a large fee? The rules could be to protect the pros being paid to shoot the event.
John

wxwax · September 24, 2007

DaC wrote:

Do the pro photographers that are on the field need to pay a large fee? The rules could be to protect the pros being paid to shoot the event.
John

Typically they are credentialed media photographers.

ccpickre · September 25, 2007

Pro photographers pay top dollar sometimes for their passes, or their media does. I know that on the back of our tickets there is something about pictures from the stands.

But like I said, sometimes they may allow you in.

It depends on the school/team.

When I photographed the Indianapolis Colts Camp they were picky about the press passes, even though my advisor told me The Jaguars let him in no questions.

DaC · September 25, 2007

Camera's are allowed. In the 9/25/2007 "Washington Post", "At FedEx Field, an Eventual Victory for Shutterbugs", By Raw Fisher from Marc Fisher's Blog, Tuesday, September 25, 2007; Page B03
(when I call up the story I see this url but it did not work at least once:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401521.html )

In the artical Mr Fisher quots Redskins Senior Vice President Karl Swanson as stating that the officers and the team official acted in error and that the team would contact Mr. Farhoodi to convey regrets.

"...Our stadium policy clearly states that still cameras are allowed," Swanson said. "Video cameras are not. There is no distinction between a 'professional' and 'amateur' camera. The security guards were in error. This is a perplexing one, which never should have happened. Mr. Farhoodi will be hearing from stadium management, who clearly will be offering an apology. ..."

At 56 years old I should know better than to guess. Glad to see the Mr. Farhoodi will receive a field pass at the next event he attends (but can he afford to attend another event?).

Also of note. The Redskins and a local camera shop had a photo contest. The winner received a Cannon DSLR with a high grade telephoto and press photographer's fieldpass for the game. I was not close enough to see which set and do not know Cannon's well enough to guess but it was a big white lense. I think I got a picture of winner on the field taking pictures a few feet away from me before the game. A fan's field pass came with my ticket (pictures to follow) so unlike the contest winner I had to leave the field before the game started. The winner of the contest had an escort that was coatching him on what, how and when to shoot, which in my mind would be worth as much if not more than the value of the ticket combo.
Thanks again for everyone's comments,
John

nipprdog · September 25, 2007

ccpickre wrote:

I go to Indiana University, and they are fairly particular sometimes. But one of our photogs seems to get in with his 400 no problem and shoots from the stands which is funny.

ccpickre · September 25, 2007

What's the swearing policy on this forum, cause I am in the mood to seriously test its limits.

That's the ugliest picture I've ever seen

wxwax · September 25, 2007

I'm not a Boilermaker fan, in fact I don't drink at all.

But that's a cool piccie!

DaC · September 26, 2007

So a bunch of people that like Frank's chickens get to gether for a bbq! That's a sports photo? ;~)

ccpickre · September 26, 2007

DaC wrote:

So a bunch of people that like Frank's chickens get to gether for a bbq! That's a sports photo? ;~)

Well... no. That picture in particular was posted just for me

nipprdog · September 27, 2007

ccpickre wrote:

Well... no. That picture in particular was posted just for me

z_28 · September 27, 2007

Looks as stacking two, three TC may be a secret weapon at stadium gates

aj986s · September 27, 2007

DaC wrote:

Camera's are allowed. In the 9/25/2007 "Washington Post", "At FedEx Field, an Eventual Victory for Shutterbugs", By Raw Fisher from Marc Fisher's Blog, Tuesday, September 25, 2007; Page B03
(when I call up the story I see this url but it did not work at least once:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401521.html )

In the artical Mr Fisher quots Redskins Senior Vice President Karl Swanson as stating that the officers and the team official acted in error and that the team would contact Mr. Farhoodi to convey regrets.

"...Our stadium policy clearly states that still cameras are allowed," Swanson said. "Video cameras are not. There is no distinction between a 'professional' and 'amateur' camera. The security guards were in error. This is a perplexing one, which never should have happened. Mr. Farhoodi will be hearing from stadium management, who clearly will be offering an apology. ..."

The confusions continues....... The following is directly from the Redskin's "Stadium Guide" posted on their official website (http://www.redskins.com/fedexfield/stadiumguide.jsp):

Cameras
Still cameras, digital cameras and handheld video cameras are permitted at sporting events. Guests may not reproduce any shots for any commercial use without the written permission of the Redskins. For concerts, still cameras, digital cameras, video cameras and audio recording devices are not permitted.

ccpickre · September 27, 2007

aj986s wrote:

The confusions continues....... The following is directly from the Redskin's "Stadium Guide" posted on their official website (http://www.redskins.com/fedexfield/stadiumguide.jsp):

Cameras
Still cameras, digital cameras and handheld video cameras are permitted at sporting events. Guests may not reproduce any shots for any commercial use without the written permission of the Redskins. For concerts, still cameras, digital cameras, video cameras and audio recording devices are not permitted.

There's nothing more amusing than going to a concert and being told I can't use flash, yet everyone else who bought a ticket is setting off flashes like crazy.

I've learned to utilize them though. If I just burst off a few rounds while a lot of people are taking pics, I get some cummulative flash exposure. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

Camera in Fed Ex Field (near Washington DC)

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