Experiences of taking cameras into the Olympic Park?

Neil P

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The Olympics have been going for a couple of days now, so what have been people's experiences with taking their camera equipment into the Olympic Park? Any problems with the security checks?

I've got some tickets for Hockey on Wednesday and I am still undecided what to take with my D7000, just the 16-85mm, or maybe a 35mm and 70-300mm. I doubt I will be taking too many shots while the matches are in progress, but I want to get some decent pictures around the park. What would be the best combination to take?

Thanks,
Neil
 
I've just found the London 2012 sticky at the top of the page. :bonk:

Looks like nobody has had any problems so far.
 
Looking on tv, there are hundreds of people wandering around with DSLR's hanging from s shoulder. Some big long lenses attached to some as well.
 
I was at the footy yesterday in Coventry and TBH, I only saw a few people with cameras on their shoulders, most of which were bridge cameras and the rest being something like a 600D with 18-55. Only big lenses I saw were being sported by the pro togs by the touchline. Security was tight, with extensive full body pat-downs including padding down a friend's bra.
 
I've been going in and out with a 7D and the 24 - 105 lens. Obviously got searched but absolutely no comment regarding the camera. Every third person seems to have fat camera hanging around their neck...!
 
I'm going to the WaterPolo Saturday morning but then drifting around the park for the rest of the day. I wasn't going to take a camera at all and was preparng to feel naked. . . Maybe I can rethink ? What worried me was the ban on cameras with interchangeable lenses at Wembley.
 
Found this:
Cameras you can and can’t take to the London 2012 Olympic Games
Wed, 1 Aug 2012 Mike Topham
Comment on this article Heading to the London 2012 Olympic Games in the next few days? Check out this guide that reveals the cameras you can and can't take with you.


If you're one of the lucky ones to get a ticket for the London 2012 Olympic Games you'll be keen to pack your camera. Just before you do you'll want to familiarise yourself with the current camera restrictions in place.

Just last week, Olympic organiser Locog sparked confusion amongst many of those who purchased tickets for football events at Wembley. An advisory, made by Olympic sponsor Panasonic, recommended ticket holders check the conditions of entry to venues after Games bosses warned visitors not to bring any types of interchangeable-lens cameras to the home of football events.

One of Locog's main concerns was that interchangeable lens cameras foul the rules on what is classified as a professional-looking camera, thus ruling out the use of DSLR's, including mirrorless, compact interchangeable lens cameras manufactured by Panasonic, Sony, Fujifilm, Pentax, Olympus and Nikon.

So if you're advised not to take an interchangeable lens camera to Wembley, what can and can't you take in to other London 2012 Olympic events? Well, there's nothing to say you can't take an entry-level, enthusiast or pro-spec D-SLR to the London 2012 Games, however you will need to bear in mind it has to adequately fit in a bag that's no larger than 30x20x20cm. To get around the issue of camera size many visitors turned to the idea of separating the lens from the body and packing the items individually with appropriate body/lens caps attached. Provided the lens you take doesn't exceed 30cm in length you shouldn't have any difficulties, just remember tripod's aren't allowed so you'll want to make good use of any image stabilisation feature your system has.
 
I'm going to the WaterPolo Saturday morning but then drifting around the park for the rest of the day. I wasn't going to take a camera at all and was preparng to feel naked. . . Maybe I can rethink ? What worried me was the ban on cameras with interchangeable lenses at Wembley.

I was at the Olympic Park yesterday (Wed), and I saw several people with large photo back packs on, which probably would have fallen foul of LOCOG's "must go under your seat" advice. Perhaps they were only visiting the park?. Lots of big spectator DSLR's on view, and being used, in the basketball arena we went to. As said elsewhere Wembley are imposing the rules they normally enforce at all their events.

LOTS of things to photograph in the Olympic Park, the displays of wild flowers are amazing, not seen that mentioned at all before.

Take water proof stuff if it looks like rain as there is nowhere to shelter if you are not in a venue.

HTH

David
 
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Thanks David. I'm minded to take my most 'dispensable' combination - Canon 400D and Sigma 17-70. I'll remove the battery pack in the interests of weight around the neck for several hours. Detached to get in.
I'm loathe to risk anything else as there are notes around the Press about LOCOG not having 'storage facilities for confiscated cameras' - Now there's a way to raise funds ?
 
I was at the Olympic Park yesterday (Wed), and I saw several people with large photo back packs on, which probably would have fallen foul of LOCOG's "must go under your seat" advice. Perhaps they were only visiting the park?. Lots of big spectator DSLR's on view, and being used, in the basketball arena we went to. As said elsewhere Wembley are imposing the rules they normally enforce at all their events.

LOTS of things to photograph in the Olympic Park, the displays of wild flowers are amazing, not seen that mentioned at all before.

Take water proof stuff if it looks like rain as there is nowhere to shelter if you are not in a venue.

HTH

David

Would love to have gone to the Olympic Park but all the tickets are sold out :'(
 
Would love to have gone to the Olympic Park but all the tickets are sold out :'(

Keep trying - IF you believe the Press, there are still tickets. Nightly, on-line.

Good luck.
 
Would love to have gone to the Olympic Park but all the tickets are sold out :'(

I got mine for the Athletics tomorrow this Tuesday - they are appearing but they go very quickly - my sister got tickets for the basketball yesterday. It is frustrating and I nearly gave up.

Good luck! :)
 
Bit like how I feel when going for a walk without a couple of labradors running out of control.

FENTON!!!! ...
:exit:

I often walk(ed) up to 7 Basenjis. Am down to 3 now. Very unexciting. I AM looking forward to tomorrow. Am going with son who was surveyor i/c infrastructure / security fencing / landscaping of the Athletes Village so of course, he failed every ballot and got NO tickets until very recently. Water Polo wouldn't have been first choice for either of us but at least we'll be there and will spend the rest of the day around the Park.
 
Would love to have gone to the Olympic Park but all the tickets are sold out :'(

Park tickets (if that's what you're trying for) are not available now that the athletics have started and were never intended to be. The Park tickets made up the capacity shortfall whilst the main Olympic Stadium was not being used.

The trick seems to be to get at ticket for an event (any event) that's inside the Park and then queue for the returns. Tickets on the website are coming in dribs and drabs, you just need to be quick off the mark.
 
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