willie_901
Veteran
Charlotte, NC has an annual, four-day NASCAR street festival next weekend. I thought is could be fun to do some street work there.
The event website states: "The following items are
NOT ALLOWED inside the festival or ticketed concert area: Outside food and drink, coolers, illegal drugs, controlled substances, weapons, ...professional cameras with removable lenses, recording devices, ... bundles (e.g. package), backpack (unless clear & subject to search), fireworks, umbrellas and containers of any kind."
Apparently if a camera uses removable lenses it's a professional camera. Obviously anyone with a decent mobile phone can photograph and record to their heart's content. A phone with a high-end camera can produce some excellent raw files. Then there's video and even just audio recording.
Clearly no public event can prevent phone use. Maybe some year the limitations for "professional cameras" will be disappear from lists like this.
It's a good thing I decided to keep my X-100T. I'm tempted to take an X-Pro 2 with the 50/2 lens in a bag that's much smaller than many purses. Do you think it would be banned?
PS Years ago I attended a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ festival In St. Louis with similar limitations (no professional cameras). Back then I was using a Zeiss Ikon M with a couple fo M lenses. My camera bag was inspected by security at the entrance and I was admitted without comment. I assumed the security staff was trained to look for pentaprisms and large zoom lenses.
The event website states: "The following items are
NOT ALLOWED inside the festival or ticketed concert area: Outside food and drink, coolers, illegal drugs, controlled substances, weapons, ...professional cameras with removable lenses, recording devices, ... bundles (e.g. package), backpack (unless clear & subject to search), fireworks, umbrellas and containers of any kind."
Apparently if a camera uses removable lenses it's a professional camera. Obviously anyone with a decent mobile phone can photograph and record to their heart's content. A phone with a high-end camera can produce some excellent raw files. Then there's video and even just audio recording.
Clearly no public event can prevent phone use. Maybe some year the limitations for "professional cameras" will be disappear from lists like this.
It's a good thing I decided to keep my X-100T. I'm tempted to take an X-Pro 2 with the 50/2 lens in a bag that's much smaller than many purses. Do you think it would be banned?
PS Years ago I attended a Memorial Day Weekend BBQ festival In St. Louis with similar limitations (no professional cameras). Back then I was using a Zeiss Ikon M with a couple fo M lenses. My camera bag was inspected by security at the entrance and I was admitted without comment. I assumed the security staff was trained to look for pentaprisms and large zoom lenses.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I'm sure somewhere on on walls where this air pollution for no reason celebration festivity is going to be, you'll see Leica Q2 and Fuji x100f advertisement.
shawn
Veteran
If they see the XP2 they would likely ban it. Looks to professional.
If you are looking for a tiny telephoto camera pic up a used Pentax Q series. (Q7 or Q-S1 have better sensors). A tiny C mount lens can give you quite the reach. The Pentax 06 lens it very small and is the equivalent of a 70-210 with f2.8 aperture.
The Qs are available cheap, are extremely fun and in the right hands are quite capable. Esp. if used to their strengths.
Shawn
If you are looking for a tiny telephoto camera pic up a used Pentax Q series. (Q7 or Q-S1 have better sensors). A tiny C mount lens can give you quite the reach. The Pentax 06 lens it very small and is the equivalent of a 70-210 with f2.8 aperture.
The Qs are available cheap, are extremely fun and in the right hands are quite capable. Esp. if used to their strengths.
Shawn
charjohncarter
Veteran
You can borrow my Olympus 35RC if you want.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
You're probably okay if you don't try to get in with a long lens.
I doubt they'll check to see if the lens is actually removable.
Dress like a NASCAR fan, not as a professional photojournalist.
Press photographer credentials will open doors often closed to others.
Having them makes it worthwhile volunteering for a small local publication.
Chris
I doubt they'll check to see if the lens is actually removable.
Dress like a NASCAR fan, not as a professional photojournalist.
Press photographer credentials will open doors often closed to others.
Having them makes it worthwhile volunteering for a small local publication.
Chris
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
That's it. I definitely won't be going to Charlotte NC no more, no sir.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
How ridiculous. While I do get bored with car snappers (rather than auteurs like me...) at events, what on earth is the point - apart from revenue protection I suspect.
This is why I love classic car racing events with a few thousand people and owners happy to chat.
This is why I love classic car racing events with a few thousand people and owners happy to chat.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Used to cover motorcycle road racing from mid 1990's to mid 2000's. That's when all the major racing organizations started clamping down on images and video. Their logic, which I do not agree with, is that these events are their exclusive property, and any pictures or video taken of these events, no matter who takes them, belong to the racing organization. Full stop.
In 2002 I was working on a documentary of a particular racer who had come out of retirement to race one last year. Traveled the US circuit with the team, shooting video and making images. Half way thru the season, the race series was sold to a new organization, and the contract gave the new organization license to all images and video from that season and the previous few years. So we had to license our own video back from the new race organization for $1000 per minute of footage. Mind you, this is documentary footage we shot, at our own expense, and we couldn't use any of it without paying the new race organization licensing fees. I thought it was bulls**t.
It's pretty much been that way ever since. In 2009 I got my Leica iiif with 50mm collapsible cron into the US MotoGP at Indianapolis. Had some fun with Tri-X and the racers in the pits during a practice day.
Whole situation is kind of a shame really.
Best,
-Tim
In 2002 I was working on a documentary of a particular racer who had come out of retirement to race one last year. Traveled the US circuit with the team, shooting video and making images. Half way thru the season, the race series was sold to a new organization, and the contract gave the new organization license to all images and video from that season and the previous few years. So we had to license our own video back from the new race organization for $1000 per minute of footage. Mind you, this is documentary footage we shot, at our own expense, and we couldn't use any of it without paying the new race organization licensing fees. I thought it was bulls**t.
It's pretty much been that way ever since. In 2009 I got my Leica iiif with 50mm collapsible cron into the US MotoGP at Indianapolis. Had some fun with Tri-X and the racers in the pits during a practice day.
Whole situation is kind of a shame really.
Best,
-Tim
Huss
Veteran
I had the same experience in a shopping mall:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167990
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167990
DwF
Well-known
X pro 2 w 27mm pancake! Even if "they" spot it, you can make a good case for it being harmless...a "derringer" lens as it were.
When Circuit of the Americas opened a few years ago they had a similar rule, but it was ignored, then it was changed slightly, specifying the length of lenses that would be allowed.
That was ignored too...it was rather interesting to see fans walking around with 600mm bazookas on their DSLRs.
Now they don’t have an official rule that I’m aware of, fans can bring whatever they want. Of course, there are very few shooting locations where fans have access to get professional style photos, so the pros with media passes always are a leg up on that regard.
I shot the first USGP at Indy back in the day, with a Nikon D1, and many Indycar races as well as many races at COTA, but never any NASCAR-related events. And this isn’t even a race! As a street festival at least a long lens isn’t necessary, there are plenty of tiny interchangeable lens cameras that would probably raise no eyebrows with a small lens attached...
That was ignored too...it was rather interesting to see fans walking around with 600mm bazookas on their DSLRs.
Now they don’t have an official rule that I’m aware of, fans can bring whatever they want. Of course, there are very few shooting locations where fans have access to get professional style photos, so the pros with media passes always are a leg up on that regard.
I shot the first USGP at Indy back in the day, with a Nikon D1, and many Indycar races as well as many races at COTA, but never any NASCAR-related events. And this isn’t even a race! As a street festival at least a long lens isn’t necessary, there are plenty of tiny interchangeable lens cameras that would probably raise no eyebrows with a small lens attached...
Takkun
Ian M.
If I’m remembering my undergrad journalism law class correctly, there’s not much you can do about it at a private event. Still a pain. Even more so Tim’s experience with licensing hassles. I’d guess that in some cases, like crowded sporting events, the issue partly stems with crowd control, since every yokel with a 300mm lens and monopod decides to find the most inconvenient places to try and shoot from. (See also: the zoo, where I once saw a guy block the entire window for the snow leopard enclosure with his setup, and try and shoot through the plexi with three flashes). Still, weird way of enforcing it.
Back in December I was at an event with a similar restriction but brought my M5 regardless. Security not only let me through, but I had a good chat about film photography with the agent while holding up the line! I think the agent being a fellow photographer, and thus understanding someone with a film camera and 35mm lens was not much more than a snap shooter, was how I got away with that.
What I’ve found to be more irksome is the clear bag rule sporting events seem to have in place. I go everywhere with either a camera bag or small messenger (my man-purse!) and couldn’t get in to a football game with one last time around, but I had nowhere to put it.
Back in December I was at an event with a similar restriction but brought my M5 regardless. Security not only let me through, but I had a good chat about film photography with the agent while holding up the line! I think the agent being a fellow photographer, and thus understanding someone with a film camera and 35mm lens was not much more than a snap shooter, was how I got away with that.
What I’ve found to be more irksome is the clear bag rule sporting events seem to have in place. I go everywhere with either a camera bag or small messenger (my man-purse!) and couldn’t get in to a football game with one last time around, but I had nowhere to put it.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Nikon 1 with a longish zoom in your sports sock attached to your calf. Loose pants, several removable storage cards, use the pocket watch pocket of your jeans. Keep a couple of dummy cards in your regular pocket (if you get searched).
Not that I'm telling you to do this.....
B2 (;->
Not that I'm telling you to do this.....
B2 (;->
Dogman
Veteran
First time I ran into this sort of thing was several years ago in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The wife and I had enjoyed spending an afternoon wandering around a large flea market and avoiding the other tourists in town. Found a few bargains too. Our dog also enjoyed walking around meeting friendly dog lovers. Of course I enjoyed taking pictures of the people and the goings on.
The following year we returned to Santa Fe and made it a point to go to the flea market. Once we got parked, the cameras strapped on and the dog leashed, we got to the gate were greeted with a new big sign listing things NOT ALLOWED. Cameras and dogs were forbidden inside now. So we left.
Oh well. Somebody always screws up the good stuff.
The following year we returned to Santa Fe and made it a point to go to the flea market. Once we got parked, the cameras strapped on and the dog leashed, we got to the gate were greeted with a new big sign listing things NOT ALLOWED. Cameras and dogs were forbidden inside now. So we left.
Oh well. Somebody always screws up the good stuff.
mich rassena
Well-known
I went to a concert a week ago at a stadium. Earlier in the day of the concert, I went to buy some merchandise. There was a sign clearly laying out the rules of the venue, no professional cameras, no lenses longer than three inches. This was the same information posted on the venue's website. Well, that's ok, I can work within those rules. So I planned ahead and brought a camera with a modest zoom.
I came back later in the evening, and the sign had been taped over. It was now no cameras, period. It was an hour bus/train ride back to where I was staying. I was absolutely livid. It's one thing to have rules, and another to change them at the last minute.
Fortunately, the venue had lockers a mile or so away, and I paid 10 dollars to store my $100 camera, so I guess it all worked out. If I had a do-over, I'd buy a cheap telephoto adapter for my cell phone.
I came back later in the evening, and the sign had been taped over. It was now no cameras, period. It was an hour bus/train ride back to where I was staying. I was absolutely livid. It's one thing to have rules, and another to change them at the last minute.
Fortunately, the venue had lockers a mile or so away, and I paid 10 dollars to store my $100 camera, so I guess it all worked out. If I had a do-over, I'd buy a cheap telephoto adapter for my cell phone.
d.dulin
Established
Have you ever been to speed week before? There’s enough going on that you’ll likely be okay.. just don’t bring out a huge DSLR. If I was in town I would probably go with my M2 and feel sure that it would be fine. Either way it’s fun people watching at this event.
Also, I don’t think there are security check points, at least last time I went I don’t remember there being any.
Also, I don’t think there are security check points, at least last time I went I don’t remember there being any.
Steve M.
Veteran
Well, it's NASCAR, so their security is probably as good as their racing, which is to say nonexistent. The important things are the pickup truck, beer, blonde, dog and flag, so what more do you need?
Oops, I forgot the 410 shotgun mounted in the rear window on an Easy Rider Rifle Rack. Yeah, I grew up around those types in Mississippi (but I moved on) back when they had a real stock car racing series, not this thing they have now.
The real racing is over at the dirt tracks. There's more action in this 3 minute clip than in an entire season of NASCAR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT9xcrKkDCs
Oops, I forgot the 410 shotgun mounted in the rear window on an Easy Rider Rifle Rack. Yeah, I grew up around those types in Mississippi (but I moved on) back when they had a real stock car racing series, not this thing they have now.
The real racing is over at the dirt tracks. There's more action in this 3 minute clip than in an entire season of NASCAR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT9xcrKkDCs
willie_901
Veteran
1. The event is a festival in downtown Charlotte. There is no racing. There are practically no race cars.
2. I don't make photos of cars unless they are rare, vintage European racing cars. I usually photograph them when they are being attended to in the paddock.
3. This event is primarily about concerts and selling food. There is a NASCAR race this on Monday and local businesses hold this event to make money from people here to attend the race.
4. I am a socio-documentary photographer. This event is an opportunity to document people who attend a NASCAR fan event and the vendors who work there.
5. Three weekends ago I attended a four-day North American GT sports car race event (GT4 America). These events are held throughout North America and the same teams travel to each event from spring until fall. I photographed race team mechanics and drivers in the paddock preparing the cars in between races. I photographed fans interacting with the teams and drivers. I photographed drivers talking to other drivers, team principles and track officials.
6. I have attended classic car racing events (Vintage Races before the 24 Hours at Daytona), SCCA events and BMW Club racing events. At these events spectators have full access to the paddock/garage areas at all times. I too found the teams and drivers very friendly and "happy to chat." There are no limits on photography.
willie_901
Veteran
Great advice. I will carry XF 50/2 and 35/2 lenses. The dress as a NASCAR fan advice is a great idea. I'll pick up a knock off tee-shirt at the Dollar Store.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I had my camera inspected for the same reason a while ago at a cricket match because of the same regulations.