They claim I'm a pro - NBA finals

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens, you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?

Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Sacramento is the exact same way. Some places will let you in though. I got in to Key Arena to see Michael Jordan with my S2 and Nikon 70-200 AFS VR. Some arenas are cool with it and some are more restricted.

Teski

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

Indeed, I had no problem with Madison Square Garden (NY Knicks), they were super cool, I even brought my monopod there...

Teski said:

Teski

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

A few Sundays ago I was at a Baltimore Orioles game and my seats were right behind the press pit, 1st row. Had perfect shot into the Texas dugout. I took a few shots before security said no more. I could take a picture as soon as they stepped out of the dugout, but not before. Someone even came down later to give me a hard time when I pointed out I was shoot Alex Rodriquez on the field.

The funny thing was I could get a decent shot into Baltimores dugout and no one said a word. I wonder if it is the team that dictates whether you can or not...

BTW don't take a DSLR into the Washington Metro station. They aren't nice at all!!

Have a great day

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

common with a lot of professional sports these days! It's celebrity syndrome, they want to control the revenue of the pictures which is something they clearly can't do if they let someone in with a decent lens!

I personally think some type of litigation is needed on behalf of amatuer and enthusiast photographers in the US.

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

It could be any number of things but it certainly isn't the league as some NFL stadiums allowed these cameras in and others don't.

Howard S Passman said:

The funny thing was I could get a decent shot into Baltimores
dugout and no one said a word. I wonder if it is the team that
dictates whether you can or not...

BTW don't take a DSLR into the Washington Metro station. They
aren't nice at all!!

Have a great day

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

what did you do w/ the 70-200?

did they hold it for you or they make you take it back to your car (assuming you drove there )

I had the same issue at a Sharks Hockey game in San Jose, CA. The guard said that I had to check my 70-300mm lens in at the front gate. When I got to the kiosk, I showed it to them - he said something about it being a lens under 6 inches so it's okay. Good thiing it wasn't extended!

yoshi234 said:

what did you do w/ the 70-200?
did they hold it for you or they make you take it back to your car
(assuming you drove there )

Click to expand...

during the devils-senators (eastern conf finals) game 4 in east rutherford, i managed to bring in the nikon 300 f/4, thank god (I dont wanna have to leave it with security). They argued with me for a little bit, but I did it.
Some pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/image/17082694
http://www.pbase.com/image/17087979
http://www.pbase.com/image/17293249

Andrew Ventura said:

yoshi234 said:

what did you do w/ the 70-200?
did they hold it for you or they make you take it back to your car
(assuming you drove there )

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--

'What we do in life echoes in eternity'

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Click to expand...

Looks like the balance was off.

Got into a yankees game with the 80-400VR and 80-200AFS but that was because I pleaded that it was my son's birthday and I wanted pix of him getting autographs. It also helped that it was pouring rain at the time we got there, and they didn't think anybody'd show up. But they tagged the shoulder bag and the camera strap. During the game (the rain stopped, kind of) I had probably 10 people come over to me wanting to know how I got in with that lens (used the VR lens mostly) when they didn't get in with theirs. They even stopped someone with a CoolPix 5700.

And don't even try to bring in a video camera, even the little ones.

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

--
Ed

Make pictures, don't take them - it leaves more for others.

http://www.onemountainphoto.com

At a baseball game this may be to help prevent sign stealing or some other competitive concern...

Howard S Passman said:

The funny thing was I could get a decent shot into Baltimores
dugout and no one said a word. I wonder if it is the team that
dictates whether you can or not...

BTW don't take a DSLR into the Washington Metro station. They
aren't nice at all!!

Have a great day

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Last summer I went to a MLB game at Pro Player Stadium in FL, I did not take my D1x and lenses since I believed it was not allowed. To my surprise, there were lots of fans with SLR's and DSLR's with various size lenses. Needles to say I was mad at myself. But then again, i do not live in the States and the rules here in Puerto Rico are a little bit different.

Anyway, it seems that we really need some kind of push to allow amateurs to photograph events freely. I don't have the slightest idea on where to start with such a push but will gladly contribute with anyone interested.

I understand trademark issues, but hey, all of us here know that if we were allowed into the field with our 300 mm 2.8, that would make our day, and I'm sure that most of us would be extremely happy with that, and I'm also sure that all those pictures would eventually end up on our private portfolios and would not be sold.

On another issue I have not seen anyone comment on....I'm pretty sure I heard something about not allowing lenses bigger than 6 inches on last year's Super Bowl, and then again on Daytona.....I'm almost sure they mentioned that when they were talking about security measures....anyone care to comment on this?

Regards,

Ed Nazarko said:

And don't even try to bring in a video camera, even the little ones.

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

--
Ed

Make pictures, don't take them - it leaves more for others.

http://www.onemountainphoto.com

Click to expand...

--
Joe Orsini
http://www.orsiniphoto.com

Pete Perry said:

common with a lot of professional sports these days! It's
celebrity syndrome, they want to control the revenue of the
pictures which is something they clearly can't do if they let
someone in with a decent lens!

I personally think some type of litigation is needed on behalf of
amatuer and enthusiast photographers in the US.

Click to expand...

Well, if a half the lawyers in this country disappeared overnight, maybe the other half will start behaving. Bill of Rights my ass.

--
JR

Let me answer first that I took the bus, so I could not take my bag back to the car, but they had a place for me to check it in. I was also sorry that I couln't use my 15-30mm lens, because they allowed me to take one lens only.

There is no security issue whatsoever involved in taking cameras/lenses into a stadium. They are not afraid that you would throw your camera at someone or that your camera would start shooting bullets instead of pictures.

This is pure greed on the side of the organizers. They may charge a fee from the pros at the event (as they do with broadcasting rights for TV channels). The thing is, we pay our hard earned money for the events and we do not make our living from photography (at least most of us here), so what if we get a nice shot for our personal albums?

I was thinking for a moment to take a quick shot of the security man who stopped me and bluff him that tomorrow his picture would be in the Newspaper and on the Internet for stopping a fan from enjoying a basketball game, but I changed my mind so he could do his 'real' job and watch if someone really wants to distract the game.

Joe Orsini said:

Anyway, it seems that we really need some kind of push to allow
amateurs to photograph events freely. I don't have the slightest
idea on where to start with such a push but will gladly contribute
with anyone interested.

I understand trademark issues, but hey, all of us here know that if
we were allowed into the field with our 300 mm 2.8, that would make
our day, and I'm sure that most of us would be extremely happy with
that, and I'm also sure that all those pictures would eventually
end up on our private portfolios and would not be sold.

On another issue I have not seen anyone comment on....I'm pretty
sure I heard something about not allowing lenses bigger than 6
inches on last year's Super Bowl, and then again on Daytona.....I'm
almost sure they mentioned that when they were talking about
security measures....anyone care to comment on this?

Regards,

Ed Nazarko said:

And don't even try to bring in a video camera, even the little ones.

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

--
Ed

Make pictures, don't take them - it leaves more for others.

http://www.onemountainphoto.com

Click to expand...

--
Joe Orsini
http://www.orsiniphoto.com

Click to expand...

Don't think that all the officious people are on that side of the Atlantic. When taking some shots of a match at Lord's cricket ground I was told that I had to stop as if I continued I would need to apply for a permit. I explained that the photos were for my own use only and the steward was really embarrassed at the stupidity of this requirement - he had been contacted on his radio from 'above'.

I have not been back to Lord's since but now go regularly to another cricket ground where there is no such pettiness.

Eddie

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

Shutzman:

OBVIOUSLY there should be no security issue with the camera, as you pointed out, OBVIOUSLY you cannot shoot bullets through your lens and you may not throw your camera at someone (or you may?).

Nevertheless, remember that this "security directive" comes from the same scared-to-their-a.. people that also do not let you carry a nail clipper with you on a plane...maybe they're afraid you will clip a pilot down to death!!!

You know, most people have the potential to inflict far greater bodily damage with their bare hands than with a nail clipper or similar item....maybe soon you will also have to leave your hands behind!

Also, remember that the security guard is following directives, he/she are certainly not the right person to argue with regarding these things, any argument may result in a very grim afternoon or night for only one person, YOU!

Anyways, I also agree with you that these are only excuses they may use to hinder nice folks like us from taking nice pics for our own enjoyement and pride.

Similar thing happened to me in Chichen Itza, in Mexico last summer, I could not get in with my tripod since they argued that with all the cameras and equipment I had I seemed to be a PRO...yeah right!...next thing I know, a guy with a coolpix and a monopod right besides me...so, this phenomenon is not limited to pro sports, it carries on in many places and it seems to be international.

Regards,
--
Joe Orsini
http://www.orsiniphoto.com

... what is the problem taking photos on such a game? I really have no idea. Publishing more photos would make such games even more popular.

I saw a film about the Robbie Williams and his security guys were so angry about the photographers. After all what's the deal if someone take a photo of the Robbie Williams playing football or walking into a hotel.

I can understand some of the photographers can make problems, but if you don't go to close, have a long zoom what's the problem then.

It happened to me I took photos for a magazine, but the first 4 songs were nothing special. It was not the right mood, but the 5th song was much better and the group had much better dresses. So I decided to take photos with my 70-200 f2.8 IS, using no flash from a longer distance. Suddenly a security guy came around and gave me some hard time. Well I think if I'd be allowed to take those photos when the group was in a better mood it would only be a plus for the group such photos would be published.

Shutzman said:

Trying to enter the NBA finals game 4 in New Jersey, when the guard
saw my 70-200mm Sigma on my D100 he refused to let me in. I had to
settle for the 24-85mm G lens. He said: 'This a professional lens,
you can't go in with it'

Has anyone heard about anything like that? Were they afraid I would
get better shots from the dove sits I had near the roof, than the
pros who were on the court with their 600mm and 800mm lenses?
Completely ridiculous, but what could I do, after paying $100 for
the ticket, not go in?

I wonder what he would have said if I had my 70-300mm Nikkor - Is
that one a 'pro' or 'amateur' lens?

Here are 2 shots from the game:

http://www.mjjsoftbooks.com/Photography/sampleNBA.htm

Click to expand...

It keeps getting harder to get in or use a camera at events. In the New Orleans Superdome I was stopped and was told that the team didn't want their pictures all over the internet the next day. I went to another gate and got in. At the Washington Metro I put my camera over my shoulder with a 70-300 on it a walked right in. So, from now on, my first try will be with my camera and no bag.

I took some shots at a fatal airplane crash and the police took my compact flash card with my shots on it. Said the FAA told them to treat the area like a crime scene and told me to leave. I later got the card and pictures back after the FAA oked it, but it took three days to get that done.
I watch what I shoot now. The plane crash shots were not worth the trouble.

Dwayne

Dwayne Anders said:

It keeps getting harder to get in or use a camera at events. In the
New Orleans Superdome I was stopped and was told that the team
didn't want their pictures all over the internet the next day. I
went to another gate and got in. At the Washington Metro I put my
camera over my shoulder with a 70-300 on it a walked right in. So,
from now on, my first try will be with my camera and no bag.
I took some shots at a fatal airplane crash and the police took my
compact flash card with my shots on it. Said the FAA told them to
treat the area like a crime scene and told me to leave. I later got
the card and pictures back after the FAA oked it, but it took three
days to get that done.
I watch what I shoot now. The plane crash shots were not worth the
trouble.

Click to expand...

Send the government a bill.

They cannot take your CF card, regardless, once you have shot it, so the only reason they took it is to help them in their investigation, i.e. you were providing them a service.

Send them a bill for $1M.

It is rogue cops like that all over the country that gave the general impression that you are not allowed to take pictures in public places whenever you like.

--
JR