Olympic venues (spectator)

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kartracer

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I've been lucky(?) enough to get hold of some Olympic tickets. Just wondering what camera equipment I can take, without being classed as a 'press' photographer?
 
LOCOG change their mind every 5 minutes, this seems to be the most recent advice

"Obviously we recognise that spectators will want to bring cameras into the Games. The only restrictions are around size, and these restrictions are to prevent undue impact on other spectators."
A book out this year called Capture the Moment, a guide to taking photos at London 2012, states: "You are allowed to take camera phones, compact cameras and DSLRs into Olympic and Paralympic venues, as long as the equipment fits into a bag no bigger than 30 x 20 x 20cm. Anything above this may be confiscated and not necessarily returned to you."
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9th May Statement, reported at IT Pro
 
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Was there for the stadium opening and plenty of people got into it with dslrs with 70-200's and mid size primes no problem. Saw at least a 300 F4 as well.

The gear must have been seen as everyone is searched / bags xrayed on entry.
 
So a detached 70-200 and a D7000 body in a small bag, plus a 50mm should be OK?
 
I thought they wouldn't want anyone putting bags under seats for security reasons, so I was surprised to read that was one of the criteria. Perhaps a cavernous Mary Poppins skirt would be a better option?
 
fidsey79 said:
Glad you have brought this up. I am going to water polo semi and wondered what to take. I think it will be 55-200 and 50mm for walkaround.
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I went to the water polo test event last month. I had a front row seat and found that a 70-200mm (on a FF camera) was fine so your 55-200 will be OK too. Lighting was very good so was able to shoot at 1/1000s, f3.5, ISO1250.

I would also suggest a wide lens for shots of the venues.

Some pix from the event
 
Did anyone find a seating plan for the A, B, C, D seats for any/all events?

I have a a mix of tickets for various events, but not idea how far back I'll be sitting.
 
There's some (very small) plans in the official spectator guides that come with the tickets. May at least give you a clue as to what to expect, though of course the obvious rule applies - pay less, sit further away.

I've got row 1 for football and row 41 for swimming, and some more in-between, but I'm hoping to cover most of 15-400 with two lenses, so should be OK. :)
 
I was at Ricoh stadium for football last week (only took a D7000 and 17-50 with me) but there were plenty of people with zooms like 70-300, and Canon equivalents. Has anyone been in the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre, etc. with any large lenses? Any issues at the door? I'm heading into Excel later this week, and the stadium later.
 
kartracer said:
I was at Ricoh stadium for football last week (only took a D7000 and 17-50 with me) but there were plenty of people with zooms like 70-300, and Canon equivalents. Has anyone been in the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre, etc. with any large lenses? Any issues at the door? I'm heading into Excel later this week, and the stadium later.
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Was at the excel stadium a few hours ago for the boxing (it was great!) I was using a 70-200 2.8 on one body and a 10-20 on the other and didn't have any problems getting in or taking pictures.

The pros were using 70-200s too, so even though I had the same size lens as them there was no issue.

Take your gear and enjoy yourself.
 
Interesting, thanks. As there will be two of us, will probably split the wide/tele camera combinations.
 
Has anyone been at the Excel for judo? I'm half-way back on the seating (A seats), and thinking a D7000 might be better for reach than a D700 (also will look a bit less 'professsional').
 
I took my gripped 30D c/w Sigma 50-500mm and a seperate 17-40mm, no problems whatsoever. I also took my 1DMK11n and 50-500mm to the Time Trial but then that was an open road course.
 
Was in the Excel yesterday with a 70-200mm and 17-35mm - no problems at all.
 
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