Visiting the Shard - Advice on taking a 'large' bag

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steveb

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I'm visting the Shard's viewing platform soon at night/dusk, and am wondering how they interpret this from their T&C - "Large items, including bags, bicycles or large photographic equipment may be prohibited from being taken to The View. Such items cannot be left within the premises of The View"

What bags have previous visitors taken there and not had any issues with? I usually carry a Lowepro Pro Runner 200AW back pack, but some venues don't like back packs, calling them rucksacks. If I take a shoulder bag my Nova 170 would be to small, then there's my much bigger Nova 5 or Nova 200, both appear identical. I usually store gear in them.

Has anyone been stopped from taking in or using a small Manfrotto 190b table top tripod or a gorilla pod? I could always support my camera on whatever bag I take if it comes to the worst.

I'm aware of the reflections issue.

Any advice appreciated.
 
Give the Shard's PR or visitors' centre a call and ask them what restrictions are in place. Explain why you need a larger bag and offer to arrive early for them to examine it if they want to. Or (probably easier!) take a smaller kit with just one or 2 lenses.
 
I phoned, and the guy I spoke to put me on hold while he checked if the dimensions of the Lowepro Pro Runner 200AW were OK, they were.

They did point out, as I already knew, that no tripods were allows. We'll see if they count a GorillaPod as a tripod.
 
Take a beanbag or even just a pair of clean socks so you can use it/them as a support against railings/beams/chairs etc..

At a guess, they're trying to stop (or at least reduce) commercial photography from up there, hence the restriction on "large photographic equipment" but taking just a couple of lenses (or even just one) should help convince them of your non-pro status!
 
I visited the Shard tonight, and visibility was zero. I still went up to the viewing platforms before collecting my voucher for rebooking.

My bag went through the x-ray, and I was asked if I had a tripod in my bag. I claimed only a GorillaPod, but they class that as a tripod so not allowed. They let me carry it up as looking out there was zero visibility. I just took a few hand held internal shots, mainly with the 8mm fisheye, before leaving. My bag will be my camera support when I go back, and hopefully the home made lens skirt will be acceptable.

Thanks for the comments.
 
Hmm, that's a shame - I took up and used my GorillaPod Focus (biggest one they do) last year without any problems or questioning.
 
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