Commonwealth Games Photography

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Photo-Phil

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Is anyone going to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this/next week? I am, and I want to take my camera. According to the list of restrictions you can take "personal use cameras or lenses of no more than 30cm in length". I have a Nikon D850 and a Nikon 500mm PF lens. The lens without the hood is 237mm - I won't using the hood anyway. The length of the lens + camera is exactly 30cm. Has anyone had any issues with using this combination in these circumstances before. Obviously I don't want to be told I can't go in. I have asked the organisers and not got a response from them either via Twitter or their website. Oh, and I am a hobbyist, no intention of showing my photos to anyone other than family, and no intentions of selling them - all just for personal use. Thank you.
 
I suspect this is a case of the rules being written by someone that has no idea about photography and saying length when they really mean focal length. But hey, if your camera/lens combo fit into the rules (as they are written) I don't see how they can justify trying to prevent you from taking them in. Just print a copy of the rules to show the person on the gate if they challenge you.

Have a great day at the games :)
 
Bristolian said:
I suspect this is a case of the rules being written by someone that has no idea about photography and saying length when they really mean focal length.
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No, they don't.

This is about the physical safety of spectators, not Intellectual Property protection.
 
I read it as total length of gear, as no one wants a camera in the back of their head while watching ;):)
 
Bristolian said:
Do you know this as an absolute fact? Where does the information come from?
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12 years of shooting international sport, working for national sports bodies and generally using common sense.

Good enough for you?
 
Thank you for your replies. I have to admit I read it as physical length. You don't measure the focal length in centimetres. I guess they haven't realised that Nikon make a 500mm lens that is so small thanks to the PF construction; I presume they have tried to make a direct comparison between physical length and focal length, so a 500mm f/4 is 387mm in length. Without the lens hood the 500mm PF lens is well under the 30cms. Of course if you took a 300mm PF lens and added a 2x teleconverter to it, it would still be shorter than 30cms in length but with a focal length of 600mm! I really don't think the security people on the doors would look at the focal length of a lens, look for a teleconverter and then try to multiply by 2
 
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Oh, another thing - they say "No professional and broadcast equipment including tripods and monopods" - are monopods only allowed to be used by pros? They tell us that you can only take one bag in, and that mustn't be > 25L in capacity. Reading what they say about tripods, monopods and bag size I do think they are only concerned with safety - just hope I'm right!
 
It's safety. monopods, tripods and bags are all trip hazzards.. no one, wants a law suit.

I would imagine the Pro's will have an area to themselves for such gear
 
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DemiLion said:
12 years of shooting international sport, working for national sports bodies and generally using common sense.

Good enough for you?
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Your experience notwithstanding, you're still speculating whereas the wording of your response to me comes across as being authoritative and factual.

Having said that, you are probably correct :)
 
Bristolian said:
Your experience notwithstanding, you're still speculating whereas the wording of your response to me comes across as being authoritative and factual.

Having said that, you are probably correct :)
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That's because in 2014 I was standing in the Glasgow CG Media centre discussing exactly this topic with the Games' photo manager.

It's also a topic that I've talked about with the press/media managers of the Jockey Club and the RFU at Twickenham.

Is that enough for you?
 
Gav-canon said:
monopods, tripods and bags are all trip hazzards.. no one, wants a law suit.
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monopod is not just a trip hazard, believe me. A good one will break bones, and we are talking Birmingham. I concur it will be better without this rather useless photo kit.
 
Its written like this so its a clear yes/no for the team of underpaid staff on the front lines who will be checking these things. If its longer than 30cm, you can't use it - go away. If its less, come on in. If its exactly 30cm, be nice and pleasant to the person doing the checks.

Monopods and tripods get in other spectators way.
 
No, I couldn’t get a ticket to my event of choice, MTB, although the ticket is only valid for the start/finish arena. I expect you can use whatever kit you want on the rest of the course.
 
I didn't have any issues at the cycling today but was worried about the comment you highlighted in bold about. So much so I approached the organisers for clarification (didnt get a reply), I also asked Canon for clarification seen as its plastered all over their facebook about encouraging you to take photos at the games using their equipment which is rather contradictory to the official line if you ask me.

Anyway here are some of mine from the last few days. More to come tomorrow and over the next week. All taken with R5, EF 300mm F4, EF 70-200 F4, or 24-105. for ref on the proffesional point.

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Commonwealth Games

Being a Local boy I am really excited for the games to be in Birmingham and I have a few events planed over the next few weeks. So far Triathlon (Women) and Cycling today in London. Never shot Cycling before but was amazed with the freedom I had to walk around and shoot as it wasn't at...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
I was at the gymnastics yesterday [morning session an overpriced bust really but there you go] and the pros were lined up without exception with a monopod well back from the performance area at one point. The "professional" declaration gave me pause so I removed the grip and just wore my R6. There is also a line that states security reserve the right to confiscate anything. I found shooting from the stands yesterday pretty pointless and later today at 3v3 I will be seated opposite the backboard so not taking my 70-200[ in my deuter backpack with a crumpler insert] today. Where are you going?
 
The Alexander Stadium Tuesday and Wednesday. I've decided not to take my 500mm PF, although its exactly 30cm when mounted on the camera. I have an 80-400mm which when extended is also 30cm on camera excluding hood. Do you think that's too risky?
 
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I think you will be ok. Got questioned today at the hockey when going through security and said ‘well it wasn’t a problem at the cycling yesterday and that as I’d come via park and ride I couldn’t take it back (which was a bit of little white lie) and they let me through and just kind of said well they might not let you use it, I have warned you.

So for the swimming tonight as we were going via park and ride I only took my R5, EF 24-105, and laowa 12mm f2.8. Left the 300 f4 and 70-200 f4 in the car. Again no issue - not even questioned
 
Hmmm, I've decided to keep to a basic 24-120mm kit lens on my D850 - I'm a wildlife photographer and these 2 days are meant to be a holiday so I don't want this hanging over me for 3 stadium visits. Basic lens I know, but at least I can crop the D850 tight if I need to, but there's more than close up pics of the athletes; there's the entertainment in the city square, the general stadium shots etc. Sometimes there's something good that can be found by having restrictions imposed on you. Also, if they tell me to take a large lens away the only option I have is the Travelodge near the stadium where we're staying - would you keep a £3500 lens in a Travelodge with no one guarding it?? By the way, Travelodge have hiked their prices 2-fold for the pleasure of these games!
 
Photo-Phil said:
Hmmm, I've decided to keep to a basic 24-120mm kit lens on my D850
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The simplest thing, in my opinion, is to obey the letter of their rules and get round those rules by the application of a little knowledge and ,a great deal of commonsense. My approach in such a case is to take one or both of these, which will give me up to 720mm equivalent while looking as innocent as a camera can in those circumstances...

Cameras Sony HX90 and Panasonic TZ70 DSC01601.JPG


...alternatively, I could go even further down the stealth road and use something that very few people would recognise as a camera and provides up to 800mm equivalent...

Canon Powershot Zoom Ixus 70 IMG_4282 (2).JPG
 
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