Dannj

A lot of what gets in depends on the Security people at the gate. I was at a soccer game where I was turned away at one gate with a Panasonic DMC FZ 50 which failed the 6 inch rule. The guard said I’d have to take it back to the car. I was on my way to do that but decided to try another gate and got in with no problems.

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

Last concert I went to (Bob Seger) had this BS rule in effect. I see that it is pretty standard these days, sucks if you ask me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's probably up to the teenager at the gate.

I think Canon and Nikon have lenses classified as professional, which are required if you want to get into their professional organizations. I doubt that anyone at the concert has a list of those lenses to check as people with cameras arrive. Basically, they don't want long lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Stupid! (Them, not you)

rwoodvira

Generally, my experience is a camera with a detachable lens.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

It's like saying "assault weapon". It's in the eye of the beholder.
We've gone thru this a number of times. I'll use our "Greek Theatre" as an example.
It's a nice cool open air amphitheater, used for concerts. From the stage, @150 degrees visuals.

The artists and the venue wanted control over their images. Their music is copyrighted, as is the concert itself, and all for sale. There were people who bought groups of center- ish seats, to hold and store their photo and video equipment. believing that this entitled them to record the concert and disseminate it at will. Some people had transmitters, and would stream the concerts. Some people used very strong flashes, that would distract the performers. And some of these people had altercations with other people about this. Competing, in the way, making noise, etc. Wannabe pros getting shoved by paparazzi on commission.
So, a blanket "NO" ensued. Up to now, handheld cell phone coverage is not considered good enough to interfere with the artists' and venue's sales and marketing, and the lights aren't that bright.
I would be laughed at and refused entrance with my D7100, 100-300 and a flash. My A900 gets a little askance at times, and my Samsung S7 is very welcome. Thinking of a faceplate for the A900.
Seems that if you are interested in the band, you'd maybe look at some of the "bootleg" videos on youtube. And if you are interested, this may entice you to buy the real thing, pro sound and video.
I'm STILL surprised- and amused- at the girls who turn around to do selfies. There's too many of them.

gmango85

My experience has been any white whale.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Be aware that some stadiums use MLB standards, which has been already noted at 6 inches for a detachable lens. But if there is a concert, the performer may have different guidelines. I was just at a concert and a woman was told to either check her camera to leave, because the performer demanded that no cameras with any detachable lenses would be permitted. That same location was an MLB stadium and I checked beforehand and it said nothing on the stadium web site about concerts having different criteria. I had decided not to take a camera just because concerts are not my photographic interest.

srt101fan

Thank you all for contributing to this topic. I think anyone unfamiliar with this issue can get an excellent overview by reading these posts. I rarely go to concerts and knew nothing about this subject. I have learned a lot. The comments based on personal experiences are particularly interesting and helpful.

My takeaway is that there are no universal criteria, but concert venues generally don't like any cameras/lenses that can get you "up close and personal" from a distance. Understandable, but there is still something a little irksome about their supposition that a hobbyist "picture taker" like me, with entry level equipment and no intent other than personal use of the photos, is a threat to their finances or public image. But perhaps social media and the potential for indiscriminate distribution of images has something to do with this.

Some have commented on disruption associated with long lenses. I guess it depends on how large a lens, but I could argue that cellphones held up in the air are equally or more disruptive?

Bottom line for me is that it's probably better to leave the 18-300mm at home....

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

You are right. I've been in some of those venues and photos with smart phones are happening all around. Since virtually everyone now has a smart phone (not me), enforcement is almost impossible.

I do understand cathedrals and churches restricting photography during services, and not allowing use of flash and tripods, but the only reason I can see for not allowing any photography at all is just to make sure folks buy their images in the shops (most of which are not what I want a picture of). Nevertheless, it's their house and their rules.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

The venue wants it ambiguous so they can call it if they want. Usually if the "paid" photographer says HEY!.
Everything is evaluated as a potential source of income.

Johnwoo Loc: CO - AZ Snowbird

Went to Horse race track that had clearly stated rule "no cameras". I call ahead and asked for exception, they allowed my camera and only asked I Not take pictures of gamblers, " take all you want of horses and facilities, Paddocks etc, gave me a signed card of questioned. Point being asking in advance can get you a long way

amybparish

PHRubin: union musicians will have a "no photography or recording" clause in their contract. It can either be part of the union bargaining for an orchestra or an individual contract for guest artists.

Amy (former symphony orchestra assistant manager)

adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

I can't speak to concert promoter/presenters in the popular music field, but as a working professional musician in many orchestras, photography during a concert is absolutely prohibited. This is because the venues are darkened in the audience seating and photographers using a flash can actually cause musicians to see spots - not a good thing when you are reading a bunch of dots called notes. Also, the whole thing of flash photography and even ambient light shooting is the distraction it causes by intruding into the peripheral vision of the musicians. We hate it!! It makes our job harder.

Bill P

He would have said nothing. You can't copyright a title.