Camera restrictions at the Olympics?

[Matt..]

Does anyone know what camera restrictions are in place for spectators at the Olympics? (specifically in the Olympic park/stadium).


Thanks

[toasty]

It's as clear as mud.

http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photo...

[Gemm]

This is an interesting comment ....

has anyone seen the official book capture the moment: a practical guide to sports photography london 2012, it has pics of people with dlsrs and it said 200-300mm lens are perfect and one pic they used 400mm lens so why if it is in their book then we can take large lens into the games.

[Simpo Two]

Only in Britain eh? How utterly predictable - pompous twits in offices.

[MartinP]

The locog guide to prohibited and restricted items says no camera gear over 30cm in length. Events at football stadiums have additional restrictions though - Wembley for instance bans any camera with an interchangeable lens!

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Ge...

I'll be planning to have a copy of this with me in case of security guards having a different opinion on the day...

[covboy]

MartinP said:

The locog guide to prohibited and restricted items says no camera gear over 30cm in length. Events at football stadiums have additional restrictions though - Wembley for instance bans any camera with an interchangeable lens!

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Ge...

I'll be planning to have a copy of this with me in case of security guards having a different opinion on the day...

What Security Guards ???..

[ChipsAndCheese]

MartinP said:

The locog guide to prohibited and restricted items says no camera gear over 30cm in length. Events at football stadiums have additional restrictions though - Wembley for instance bans any camera with an interchangeable lens!

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Ge...

I'll be planning to have a copy of this with me in case of security guards having a different opinion on the day...

That's the guide I had seen. It's still not especially clear though. My question is, is that 30cm for each equipment item alone, or the total when attached to the camera? For example, I measured my SLR Gorillapod and it comes in just under 30cm, so I think that should be ok, but obviously when attached to the camera the total length is over that limit. Same with zoom lenses (though I haven't measured my 18-270mm when fully extended). If it is 30cm per item, can I get away with attaching a smaller length lens and swapping to the bigger lens once inside the venue?

I can't believe they won't clarify this more. Are they expecting people to happily surrender equipment costing hundreds of pounds knowing that they won't get it back, or are they expecting people to go home and miss their events? Events that they have paid to see after enduring a horrendously crap ticket application and allocation process?!

[blugnu]

You might find this useful:

http://lensesforhire.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/photog...

You can take in whatever you can fit in a 30x20x20 bag.

[MonkeyHanger]

MartinP said:

The locog guide to prohibited and restricted items says no camera gear over 30cm in length..

My weapon of choice would be my 100-400L on the 7D. When locked at 100mm, the lens is around 19cm long

However, i'll be watching from home with a supply of very cold beer

[jurbie]

ChipsAndCheese said:

I can't believe they won't clarify this more. Are they expecting people to happily surrender equipment costing hundreds of pounds knowing that they won't get it back, or are they expecting people to go home and miss their events? Events that they have paid to see after enduring a horrendously crap ticket application and allocation process?!

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany there were similar restrictions and they had a secure area where you had to leave your kit. It worked quite well but that was in Germany, who knows what will happen here.

[toasty]

Has anyone here been challenged yet about camera size at the Olympics?

[blugnu]

toasty said:

Has anyone here been challenged yet about camera size at the Olympics?

No, I don't think anyone has tickets.

[ChipsAndCheese]

Went to the Olympic park on Sunday. I took my usual camera backpack and DSLR with 18-270mm lens attached and had it in the bag. Just put my bag through the scanner and didn't get any questions about it, so I think they are being quite relaxed. Didn't try to take the gorillapod though.

[dougc]

Went into Hyde Park on Sunday (what a fking farce but thats another post) and the signs quite clearly stated 'No lens longer than 6 inches (15cm)'

They made me empty my bag as had the standard Canon 18-55mm with me. This was deemed acceptable.

[Cheib]

The offical site now says any camera equipment over 30 cm is not allowed....and monopods and tripods are also banned.

Read on other forums that people have taken 70-200 in no problems and security/troops have been very relaxed.

I'm off to the rowing at the weekend...taking my 70-200 with a TC which I hope will do the job.

[ChipsAndCheese]

dougc said:

Went into Hyde Park on Sunday (what a fking farce but thats another post) and the signs quite clearly stated 'No lens longer than 6 inches (15cm)'

They made me empty my bag as had the standard Canon 18-55mm with me. This was deemed acceptable.

What event was that for? The London 2012 website doesn't specify any extra restrictions for that venue over the standard restrictions list, which only says No to "Large photographic and broadcast equipment over 30cm in length, including tripods and monopods."

Not sure why they would put such stupid limits on Hyde Park when there are no such signs at the Olympic village where I thought they would be tighter on such things. Bizarre.

Edited by ChipsAndCheese on Tuesday 31st July 11:41

[blugnu]

Cheib said:

The offical site now says any camera equipment over 30 cm is not allowed....and monopods and tripods are also banned.

Read on other forums that people have taken 70-200 in no problems and security/troops have been very relaxed.

I'm off to the rowing at the weekend...taking my 70-200 with a TC which I hope will do the job.

That's what they've always said isn't it - you have to be able to fit it in a 20x20x30 bag.

Edit - as I type that I realised that in theory you can fit 41cm diagonally in a 30x30x20 bag, but you wouldn't then have room for much else.

[dougc]

ChipsAndCheese said:

What event was that for? The London 2012 website doesn't specify any extra restrictions for that venue over the standard restrictions list, which says only says No to "Large photographic and broadcast equipment over 30cm in length, including tripods and monopods."

Not sure why they would put such stupid limits on Hyde Park when there are no such signs at the Olympic village where I thought they would be tighter on such things. Bizarre.

Thats what ground my gears so much! It was simply 'go to the park and watch the games on big screens' and it was like getting on a plane! No liquids over 100ml, no camera lenses over 15cm, no food, no this, no that, walk here, stand there, pay £15 for a st lunch.

Hey Seb

fk you!

[mrmr96]

Cheib said:

The offical site now says any camera equipment over 30 cm is not allowed....and monopods and tripods are also banned.

Read on other forums that people have taken 70-200 in no problems and security/troops have been very relaxed.

I'm off to the rowing at the weekend...taking my 70-200 with a TC which I hope will do the job.

I took a 400D with 70-300 IS attached, no problem at Earls Court or Horse Guards. (I measured the lens and body together before setting off, it's under 30cm long.)

After they xrayed my bag they asked me to take it out and show them, but they were fine with it.

I think the 30cm rule is to prevent people getting in the way with tripods/monopods/extensions etc. Also stops people with crazy big lenses in the crowd being annoying to those sat in front having a lens poking over their shoulder!!

[flat-planedCrank]

Planning a 30D & 70-300, well under 30cm.

Only problem is the bag, both of my normal options are too big - though only by a couple centimeters - but can't really risk taking them