No lenses with an F/2.8 or smaller

[wclavey]

I have been reading with interest the other posts periodically about what you can or cannot photograph. While it is not 100% analogous, I have another related topic.

I hold in my hands a ticket to a national sporting event (2005 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, Savvis Center, St. Louis, MO). The enclosure with the ticket (and also available on the website) states:

Cameras are permitted for personal use only, although no camera should have a lens larger than 200 mm and an F-stop of 2.8 or smaller.

I have been attending this event for several years and this is the first time I have seen the organizers attempt to restrict the photographic opportunities of the spectators. There are lots of regulations I understand, like no flash photography for the safety of the skaters, etc., but I am surprised by the limitations on the camera lenses. I suppose that the having lenses outside those specification qualifies you as a professional photographer? ...I wish... but more likely, an interested parent or spectator with money and a little bit of photographic knowledge.

It is my guess, although I am by no means an expert here, that by purchasing the ticket, I am agreeing to the terms and that as a private facility (not publicly owned), the Savvis Center and/or the organizers can set whatever limitations on admission they want. Perhaps they have hired event photographers and want you to purchase pictures from them and this is a condition of the contract with the event photographers... I'm not sure, but it seems restrictive to me.

I guess it means that the only camera & lens combination I can take is my OM-2 with the 35-110 zoom... everything else violates the parameters (I know, it's not an RF... but I don't think I'll be able to do much with a Zorki from the seats I can afford).

Any thoughts?

 

[back alley]

if you have never photographed a figure skating event be aware that the ice will throw your exposures way off.
if you have a spot meter use it.

joe

 

[thmk]

Positively read it just says that no lens longer than 200 mm AND an f-stop of 2.8 and below is allowed. So to my mind both restrictions have to be met at the same time and even a 4.5/300 would be allowed.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[darkkavenger]

No worries, just use ISO 3200 🙂

 

[djon]

Think what 200mm means on a digicam....

 

[photogdave]

If you have the means pick up a used Panasonic FZ10 with an equivalent of 35-420mm f/2.8. I used one to shoot a professional soccer match in Seattle and got surprisingly good action shots!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Maybe they are concerned with whacking the person in front of you with a 200mm F2 lens? I think they are trying to put a physical size constraint. My 300mm F4.5 would probably make those around me uncomfortable. A 180mm F2.8 would not be as long, and more manageable in a spectator seat. So would the 600mm Solid Cat.

 

[Andy K]

I'd take my OM-1 and 500mm mirror lens which is hardly bigger than a 50mm.

<edit>... and yes, a few rolls of Delta 3200...

 

[Bertram2]

Cameras are permitted for personal use only, although no camera should have a lens larger than 200 mm and an F-stop of 2.8 or smaller.[/B]
Any thoughts?

2X tele converter, non of those lens sheriffs will notice it ! 😛
bertram

 

[Goodyear]

Maybe long, fast teles are perceived as pro gear?

That's probably be my perception, right or wrong.

 

[darkkavenger]

I've got an idea, but you'll need an MF SLR... grab a Pentacon Six with 180/2.8 sonnar... you'll be within acceptable rules and I'm sure the guy who will see the camera is going to faint in front of you... within acceptable limits, with a huge handweapon! 😀

 

[Lear]

Do you people know any lens Longer than 200mm and wider than F2.8?
🙂

 

[C Atwell]

Do you people know any lens Longer than 200mm and wider than F2.8?
🙂

No such animal exists,

 

[Poptart]

Throw beer cans on the ice!

 

[RJBender]

Throw beer cans on the ice!

Hey Pop! We don't do that in St. Louis. We're civilized ya know.. 😀


We drink our beer from plastic cups! 😛


R.J.

 

[Trius]

The wording is stupid.... 200MM on what format? As someone stated, 200mm on a small-sensor digicam is pretty long. And smaller than f2.8? f4, f5.6, f8, etc., are all SMALLER than f2.8! f1.8, f1.4, f1.2 are LARGER!

These maroons don't know what they're doing. They're just trying to protect the pros who work the event. Now that more capable technology is in the hands of "amateurs", they often get show up for what they are ... pros only because of the equipment own.


RJ: Yeah, and you put ICE in your beer... ice in a Bud? I was offered that once, and I remember thinking, Huh? It's already WATER!

Earl

 

[RJBender]

I have been reading with interest the other posts periodically about what you can or cannot photograph. While it is not 100% analogous, I have another related topic.

I hold in my hands a ticket to a national sporting event (2005 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, Savvis Center, St. Louis, MO). The enclosure with the ticket (and also available on the website) states:

Cameras are permitted for personal use only, although no camera should have a lens larger than 200 mm and an F-stop of 2.8 or smaller.

I have been attending this event for several years and this is the first time I have seen the organizers attempt to restrict the photographic opportunities of the spectators. There are lots of regulations I understand, like no flash photography for the safety of the skaters, etc., but I am surprised by the limitations on the camera lenses. I suppose that the having lenses outside those specification qualifies you as a professional photographer? ...I wish... but more likely, an interested parent or spectator with money and a little bit of photographic knowledge.

It is my guess, although I am by no means an expert here, that by purchasing the ticket, I am agreeing to the terms and that as a private facility (not publicly owned), the Savvis Center and/or the organizers can set whatever limitations on admission they want. Perhaps they have hired event photographers and want you to purchase pictures from them and this is a condition of the contract with the event photographers... I'm not sure, but it seems restrictive to me.

I guess it means that the only camera & lens combination I can take is my OM-2 with the 35-110 zoom... everything else violates the parameters (I know, it's not an RF... but I don't think I'll be able to do much with a Zorki from the seats I can afford).

Any thoughts?

E-mail them for a press pass? 😎

Stash a 3x teleconvertor in your coat pocket? 😱

Ask your State Farm agent for better seats? 😉

I assume you are referring to the 2006 STATE FARM
U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS January 7-15, 2006


Some friends took a digicam that had video capability to a concert at Savvis and security took it away. If they confiscate your gear, you'll have to stand in a long line after the event to get your stuff returned. 🙁

Are you staying at the Sheraton next door or the Hyatt down the street in Union Station?

R.J.

 

[ywenz]

I'd take my OM-1 and 500mm mirror lens which is hardly bigger than a 50mm.

<edit>... and yes, a few rolls of Delta 3200...

not to mention the crappy quality you'd get from that mirror lens..

... And smaller than f2.8? f4, f5.6, f8, etc., are all SMALLER than f2.8! f1.8, f1.4, f1.2 are LARGER!

I'm sure they understand the concept of lens apature rating when they wrote up this rule.

 

[RJBender]

The wording is stupid.... 200MM on what format? As someone stated, 200mm on a small-sensor digicam is pretty long. And smaller than f2.8? f4, f5.6, f8, etc., are all SMALLER than f2.8! f1.8, f1.4, f1.2 are LARGER!

These maroons don't know what they're doing. They're just trying to protect the pros who work the event. Now that more capable technology is in the hands of "amateurs", they often get show up for what they are ... pros only because of the equipment own.


RJ: Yeah, and you put ICE in your beer... ice in a Bud? I was offered that once, and I remember thinking, Huh? It's already WATER!

Earl

Maybe you can bluff security and say 1.2 is a smaller number than 2.8 or use a 200mm lens on a digicam with a 1.8 conversion factor.

Earl, I think someone was trying to pull a prank on you. 😀

R.J.

 

[Trius]

Maybe you can bluff security and say 1.2 is a smaller number than 2.8 or use a 200mm lens on a digicam with a 1.8 conversion factor.

Earl, I think someone was trying to pull a prank on you. 😀

R.J.

R.J. LOL! IIRC, I was in O'Fallon when that offer was made!

Earl