Next weekend I am going to Lollapalooza, a huge three day concert festival in Chicago. I’ve been trying to determine if I can take my Canon Rebel XT dSLR to the festival. The website states:
Guests and their belongings are subject to search upon entry or re-entry. You can help keep the lines moving quickly by leaving large bags at home. Please return for any additions or amendments.
You may bring in the following items:
• Blankets
• Umbrellas (small hand-held style)
• Soft-sided coolers
• Baby Strollers
• Two factory sealed water bottles
up to 1 liter each
• Empty Camelback
• Binoculars
• Non-professional equipment or
cameras without detachable lenses
Non-professional equipment OR cameras without detachable lenses. So, I emailed for more information and their reply:
This is the exact wording from the general info section of the website:
Allowed: Non-professional equipment or cameras without detachable lenses
Prohibited: Professional still camera equipment (no detachable lenses, no tripods, big zooms, or commercial use rigs).
We have determined that security will use “detachable lenses” as the specific determining factor between professional and non-professional. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Meghan with the Info Team
Okay, I have to say that I am stumped. Yes I can read that she says in the email “‘detachable lenses’ as the specific determining factor, but my camera is not at all “professional.” Or at least what I woulder consider a studio camera. Should I attempt to try to bring my camera which will probably be in a backpack with only one attached lens (a small lens at that)?
I am deeply torn by this and the fact that Amy Whinehouse is playing at the same time as Lupe Fiasco.
Hmm. I’ve been in your shoes quite a few times. It really boils down to the security guard you end up at. I’ve had to walk back to my car before, and it sucks.
Once, at an Illini Basketball game, I went behind some cars, and strapped my camera 80-200 f/2.8 lens around my waist/down my pantleg. You can bet I was getting some looks from the ladies while trying to walk to my seat, hahahahah. I was swingin’ for sure.
I’d say go for it. Nothing sucks more than getting into the concert and being able to see others with their DSLR’s, and realizing you left yours in the Land of Lincoln.
I would say not to take it— there are band competitions that have same rules and will confiscate the camera or turn you away Reason being that there are professional photographers there and don’t want you ’stepping on their toes’.
plus you don’t have to worry if anything happens to it (like a liquid beverage spilling on it)
I would interpret that as the only cameras allowed are of the point-n-shoot variety, your average consumer-level didge in other words.
If the camera you want to bring can accommodate different lenses, I would leave it at home.
Have fun, though. I loved Lollapalooza ‘92.
Instead of bringing the ultra geeked-out camera…why don’t you just bring the mini-geek camera? I don’t see your average security guard person looking at your camera and saying, “Hmm…this seems like your normal everyday Joe camera to me…” It looks too big and expensive.
sad to say, but ANY slr is going to be considered “professional” in the eyes of a non-photographer. sometimes this can work in your favor if you want people to clear out of your location; you can just deploy as much big black gear as you’ve got and it’s instant credibility. other times, like this, it works just the opposite.
interesting corollary to this pointless restriction: most consumer point and shoots now can shoot decent quality video until they fill up the memory card. why should the lollapalooza management be hostile to SLRs that can only take stills, but allow point and shoots that can make easy audio and video bootlegs of the performances?
I say don’t take it. Rules are rules and a detachable lense is a detachable lense, whether you consider your camera professional or not. There’s always ways to get around stuff but I don’t think it’d be worth it. Especially at a concert like the one you’re going to, and in Chicago. I’m guessing security will be pretty tight. Sorry bro-suf.
I have snuck whole bottles of booze into concerts before. I have never even seen them take anything from anyone. I snuck a whole cooler into the concert area at Bonnaroo. The outdoor festival type are the easiest ones. Just stand back and look at the guards and get in the line for the one who seem like the dont care at all.
This reminds me of that debacle at Millennium Park in Chicago a couple years ago when park security decided to enforce the copyright status on most of the stuff there (the bean, those giant video screens with faces, et cetera) and started harassing anyone with an SLR. Their instructions were to stop any “professional photography” since the copyright status only applied to commercial use, and their definition of professional was a bit low.
I’ve had to leave a blanket at the gate, cuz they decided it was just too crowded for blankets. I’ve had to leave the mace on my key ring. I had more than 1 lighter in my purse and was asked to remove the “excess” lighter. I’m sure it depends on where you go but some places are hard core. I just don’t think it’d be worth it.
ed says just take your other camera….he plans on you being too drunk to take good photos.
Well that does it. Sounds like I will be toting along the smaller camera. Thanks blogosphere for helping me make up my mind.
Dude, “No detachable lenses” means “NO DETACHABLE LENSES.”
Don’t do it, man.
Find something else to put your weed in.