Concert prohibition of "professional lenses"... Guidance for a recent outdoor concert included: "Please note all flash photography, video recording and use of professional lenses by...

srt101fan

Guidance for a recent outdoor concert included: "Please note all flash photography, video recording and use of professional lenses by unauthorized persons is prohibited".

Can someone please tell me what a "professional" lens is?

Thank you in advance.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Usually one that can be detached from the camera. Or in some MLB parks, measures 6-inches or longer.

Bill_de Loc: US

Each venue probably has its own standard. Some base it on size, some consider anything that is interchangeable.

If you have someplace specific in mind, contact them directly.

--

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

Luke Bryan concert -- no cameras with detachable lenses. I can understand why. And lately everything is getting worse, with the "deep fake" stuff coming along. Only pictures we can trust are those we took ourselves. Just smile and nod at everything else.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

You know what a professional lens is. It’s any lens attached to a camera that lets the photographer get close to the subject. They have that rule (and have done since time immemorial) to stop people ‘stealing’ ( their feelings) images that they would normally only license to paid photographers, who would need to be approved by the promoter and performers, and who would probably pay for the privilege. It also stops people in the audience setting up tripods and waving long lenses about.

It’s always been there and always will be. It’s the promoter’s event and they have every right to impose such a condition. It matters not that everyone takes their phone camera or point and shoot along and takes photos. They want to stop unlicensed video and still recording that could be sold - as opposed to ‘amateur’ (read un paid) people taking images for strictly personal use.

srt101fan

Martino wrote:

You know what a professional lens is. It’s any le... (show quote)

I'm not necessarily objecting to the rule, just trying to understand it. I was wondering if my 18-300mm would fit into their "professional" category and, based on what you all are saying, it does.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Yes, almost certainly it does. To the concert promoters, and the majority of the attendees, your interchangeable lens 18-300 marks you out as a ‘pro’. Even though you’re not receiving payment (I presume) for images you take. It’s all part of the “That’s a good photo, you must have a good camera” syndrome.
Not fair, probably, but a fact of life.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Frankly, I would be annoyed if I spent a ton of money for a concert ticket and the person sitting next to me spent the whole time taking photos with a long lens attached to a DSLR. I actually think this rule makes sense.

therwol Loc: USA

FredCM wrote:

Luke Bryan concert -- no cameras with detachable lenses. I can understand why. And lately everything is getting worse, with the "deep fake" stuff coming along. Only pictures we can trust are those we took ourselves. Just smile and nod at everything else.

There are several 1 inch sensor compact cameras with long zooms that could give nearly the same result and avoid the hassle with the staff.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

Ran into this issue more than once. I no longer bring my camera to events that have that rule. Cannot stand the idea of leaving expensive in the car at one of these events. Bring the bridge camera instead.

However when I was attending a Navy event of a new ship on line they had a measuring of all cameras coming in. I put the lock on my 18-300 nikor lens and it passed. I also kept it there throughout the event.

Good thing I didn't bring the 24 to 70 as it would have never passed the measurement test. I say this because we were unaware of any camera restrictions of this outdoor event. Plus walking a mile to the event would have cost me a non entry because the attendance was limited... Lesson learned...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I wish that was the rule where I will be going. They say no electronic devices of any kind. Then they blame contract requirements of the artists. I don't know any artists that object to photos.

therwol Loc: USA

PHRubin wrote:

I wish that was the rule where I will be going. They say no electronic devices of any kind. Then they blame contract requirements of the artists. I don't know any artists that object to photos.

Some artist in the past didn't even object to people recording their concerts. I'm thinking of the Grateful Dead where there was a section in the front for the "tapers". On the other hand, I can see artists wanting to control pictures that are released to the public. Some might not be flattering. The problem for them now is that if you can get close enough, you can take pretty good photos with a phone. I've been to concerts/shows where the "phone police" went around looking for the bright screens and telling people to cut it out. There are many places such as historic buildings in Europe that prohibit photography, but with cameras on phones, I think that such rules would be a challenge to enforce.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

srt101fan wrote:

Guidance for a recent outdoor concert included: "Please note all flash photography, video recording and use of professional lenses by unauthorized persons is prohibited".

Can someone please tell me what a "professional" lens is?

Thank you in advance.

There is no such thing as professional, or un-professional lens! I think what they are referring to is any lens longer than six inches. Why that is, I have no idea!

BebuLamar

It's whatever the security people feel like at that time.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Black lenses only?