johnbuckley Posted February 25, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 25, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) In May, my wife and I are going to the Austin Psych Fest (bands like Tame Impala, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Spiritualized, and literally dozens of others we love.) Here is what their photo/camera policy is stated as: "If you are not an accredited member of the press, please do not bring pro video or photo gear into the festival. NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. Please be respectful of those around you and keep your cameras and cell phones out of the air – they want to see the show! Thanks for understanding." I really want to bring a camera, not for taking long-distance shots of musicians, but close-ups of the crowd. I interpret their policy as being aimed at people coming in with big cameras and long lenses, and think if I go with my M with a 50 on it and a 28 in my backpack, I should be okay. Alternatively, I could bring in an X. But I want to bring an M, even though it is, of course, a pro camera. What do you think? Is this a properly "non pro" kit to the person who searches bags at the entrance? He/she should be clearing in 50,000 people per day. Any advice is welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Hi johnbuckley, Take a look here Kit To Bring To Festival That Doesn't Allow "Pro Cameras". I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted February 25, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 25, 2015 But I want to bring an M, even though it is, of course, a pro camera. What makes it so, John? If it means used mostly by, or mostly used by, professional photographers, then I think you're safe. I would contact the sponsors. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted February 25, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 25, 2015 iPhone, also for stabilized video? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 25, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 25, 2015 I do not think a Leica M will be regarded as pro gear, but I guess that how you behave using the camera will be a major factor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 25, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 25, 2015 But I want to bring an M, even though it is, of course, a pro camera. Lots of people have pulled the wool over Leica's eyes and bought an M even though they are not pro's. But Leica have helped you out, recently they declared the 'new' M-P to be the 'pro' camera (as in taking the pee and adding it to the M) so confirming the M(240) never was a pro camera in Leica's eyes anyway. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 25, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 25, 2015 What makes it so, John? If it means used mostly by, or mostly used by, professional photographers, then I think you're safe. I would contact the sponsors. Jeff In my experience, what makes it so is the opinion of the $8.00/hour security guard at the entry point. Some times, a deciding factor is whether or not the camera has interchangable lens capability which any M camera has, but doesn't look like to most people. I have gotten my M4-P admitted into a couple of events where this was a rule. Another factor is whether the camera has a lens on it that is "too big" or "too long," which again comes down to the opinion of the $8.00/hour security guard at the entry point. I find all the above control freak horse shit to be so arbitrary, obnoxious, discriminatory and offensive that my policy has evolved to this: If I am paying money to go to an event where I want to photograph and am not allowed to do so with the camera and lens that I choose to use, the event organizers will not be getting one red cent of my money. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted February 25, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I do not think a Leica M will be regarded as pro gear, but I guess that how you behave using the camera will be a major factor. Jaap - that said, I will not watch the scene in "Blow Up" where David Hemmings is photographing the model. No, I'm very discreet and mild mannered. And to all, thank you. You are confirming I'll be okay with my M. Though there is a part of me that was hoping you'd encourage me to buy a new X. Damn. And cheers. I'll post photos when the time comes. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 25, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 25, 2015 In my experience, what makes it so is the opinion of the $8.00/hour security guard at the entry point. Wrong point…I asked John why HE characterized the M as a pro camera, not how someone else might. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted February 25, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 25, 2015 Never mind, it allowed Carlos to show us that he is swayed by people's hourly rate and uses it as an indicator of their knowledge. I wonder if he knows what I earn per hour? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 25, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2015 Never mind, it allowed Carlos to show us that he is swayed by people's hourly rate Yes, I noticed that too. It's a common put down on this forum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 25, 2015 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2015 You are confirming I'll be okay with my M. I'm sure you'll be fine with the M too but it's not our opinion that matters as to whether you will be refused entry or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 25, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Never mind, it allowed Carlos to show us that he is swayed by people's hourly rate and uses it as an indicator of their knowledge. I wonder if he knows what I earn per hour? Wrong. It was merely a statement of fact. At the end of the day, whether you and your camera are admitted to a given event comes down to the decision of the gate keeper/security guard. My website designer is one of those security guards; it's his "day job." He knows a hell of a lot more about web design, Lightroom and Photoshop than I do, which is why he is helping me to learn. The amount of money his employer pays him is a non-factor in our friendship - and yes, I pay him for his expertise, knowledge and assistance. Yes, I noticed that too. It's a common put down on this forum. Again, wrong. My put down was directed at the control freak organizers who charge high prices to attend events and saddle the attendees with obnoxious, arbitrary and discriminatory rules after fleecing them for the cost of admission. People who pay to attend an event are customers; as such, they should be treated with respect, not treated like sheep to be shorn of every possible dollar and then ordered around and herded like animals. Edited February 25, 2015 by Carlos Danger Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted February 25, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 25, 2015 I wonder why, if that is the case, that, more than once, you stressed his hourly rate? You certainly gave us a different impression to the one you are now claiming Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 25, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) I wonder why, if that is the case, that, more than once, you stressed his hourly rate?You certainly gave us a different impression to the one you are now claiming My second use of the phrase "... the opinion of the $8.00/hour security guard at the entry point" was nothing other than a copy and paste of the original wording for the sake of uniformity. It was also nothing other than a statement of fact with no implication intended. It is you who have cooked up this unfounded implication afterword. If I had said something along the lines of"... the opinion of the ignorant, inbred $8.00/hour security guard at the entry point," then you might have a leg to stand on. The fact of the matter is that I did not and you do not. Edited February 25, 2015 by Carlos Danger Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted February 25, 2015 Share #15 Posted February 25, 2015 You are right, I have two! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 25, 2015 Share #16 Posted February 25, 2015 That's all you've got by way of a response?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted February 25, 2015 Share #17 Posted February 25, 2015 I'm on less than $8 per hour at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 25, 2015 Share #18 Posted February 25, 2015 The truth is, so am I. If I were inclined to mock people who make $8/hr or less, the first stop would have to be my bathroom mirror. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted February 25, 2015 Share #19 Posted February 25, 2015 :D Let's move on before erl tells me off again Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 25, 2015 Share #20 Posted February 25, 2015 My put down was directed at the control freak organizers who charge high prices to attend events and saddle the attendees with obnoxious, arbitrary and discriminatory rules after fleecing them for the cost of admission. People who pay to attend an event are customers; as such, they should be treated with respect, not treated like sheep to be shorn of every possible dollar and then ordered around and herded like animals. What about respect for other festival goers who would rather watch/listen to the acts without people pushing in front to get some crappy worthless snap, or worse holding their camera above their head standing in front of you while they click aimlessly away? Even worse is the wall of light of LCD screens at night/inside which makes it even harder to see what's going on onstage. Personally I'd ban all cameras from such events, but they'd have to ban the phones too so it won't happen, unfortunately. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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