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Wondering if anyone has gotten away with getting a full-sized DSLR or ML body and legit zoom lens into any of the recent Supercross races? Has anyone tried and been denied? What gear were you able to smuggle in?
Never done it with camera gear, but I carried 2 legit cases of Bel-Ray into the A1 pits for the Butler Brothers team way back when. The guy guarding the gate stepped aside and opened the fence for me. I was wearing a team pit shirt and a lanyard though; that's the trick. He never checked my credentials.
It seems to depend on the stadium and, honestly, probably the security person you hit coming in. It's been a while, but I have shot from the stands at Anaheim and SF (this year's venue) with a 1D series and a 300 2.8 without sneaking in. The venues I think mainly want other spectators not to be clubbed with something. But some times and some places people have had issues.
im almost positive you'd be able to boof it
Put the camera strap across your chest, so camera is on your back. Heavy jacket zipped up.
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I've gotten in with a DSLR and 70-300 so definitely smaller than pro gear.
Anaheim twice and denied once, San Diego once, but had to try three different entrances. Anaheim you get shut down pretty quick by security even if you get the camera in. San Diego seemed way more relaxed security wise once you're in, but that was at Petco. Usually if you get a good spot you're going to have some pro photographer that will come block you, or get security on you. San Diego I just went somewhere where there were no pro photographers shooting and didn't have issues.
I think 300 is the limit for lens size. I've heard many people get away with this.
That works great as you pass through metal detectors.
Really? If that's the case, I'm all good. I just don't see them letting me in with a 300 2.8 in the bag. I will do more research and give it a go if it looks like there's a chance.
Every stadium has its own policy, and then Feld has their policy too. Usually something like non-professional cameras/cameras with non-detachable lens and lenses shorter than 5-6in.
Which pro photographer shut you down? No one worth their salt is worried about a rube in the stands.
Some of them definitely care when you get down near the track. Some might not get security, but they'll definitely come stand in front of you. If you shoot from further up I never had issues. From what I've read its because they don't want you plastering your images on social media for companies to use for free. I'm sure the photographers work hard to get the credentials, so it is what it is
Dick move by whoever those photographers are. I’m very conscious of my surroundings when I’m near the fences. I’ve been the person outside the fence wanting to get good photos, so I make it a point to not be in their way. I can easily move 1-2 feet to my left or right and still get the shot I’m looking for, those outside the fence aren’t always able to.
I've been to several supercrosses with a DSLR with detachable lens.
I've been denied entry when carrying a (camera) bag that does not conform to the stadium's policy, but just came back carrying the camera freely and had no problems.
I've shot a lot from the stands and never had a pro photographer pay any attention. I am real skeptical that any of this "standing in front of you" talk is intentional. Much more likely the photographer is simply trying to get a good shot.
I've literally ducked for people taking a cell phone picture as I walk by the fence. Only time I have not moved is when a guy yelled at me as I was about to shoot a start lol. I highly doubt anyone is going to seek you out and stand in front of you lol
Well going to my first A1 I saw a lot of people with legit setups that were in the stands, not media down on the track. After all the supercross races I've been to in my life, this was the first time since like 2002 where I noticed them letting DSLR cameras in with the crowd.
I chose never to pursue credential for SX. I'd have loved to for sure, but there were too many people making their livings in too small an area already, and it if I had pursued it it would have been pure vanity in order to say I had. The guys on the floor also are not happy with some of the restrictions on where they can shoot, which can cut off prime shot angles and limit your ability to get shots that are unique and not replicated by 10 other people. There is much more flexibility outdoors.
But I have to say that in the years that I shot credentialed outdoors from 2002-2019, with SX from the stands, every credentialed person was incredibly generous to me, even when it was touchy early on when digital made it a lot easier for people to be a photographer. I can't imagine any one of them standing in front of me unless I already had just done that to them at that spot in that moment (you have to keep your head on a swivel when you place for a shot out of respect for the folks earning their bread). And now I expect most of the time they really are not terribly worried about losing a shot to a company scraping free images; they are so piped in with paying customers who want things turned around in an hour that there isn't a real threat these days of losing income to a bottom feeder company that doesn't want to pay.
Post a reply to: Anyone been able to sneak a pro body/lens into A1, SF, or SD?