Olympic committee bans 'professional' cameras for visitors

(Credit: CNET Asia)

If you're heading to Beijing (or are already there) for the Olympics, take note that the Beijing Organizing Committee has imposed bans on several items, one of which is "professional camera equipment." Unless you have official press credentials, we suggest you just bring your point-and-shoot to the games.

So what constitutes "professional camera equipment"? Are there any measurements or benchmarks to compare with? Although the definition wasn't detailed on the official Olympics Web site, some netizens are speculating that the ban refers to SLRs with big lenses that could block other spectators' views. But what about Fujifilm's FinePix S100fs, which is physically bigger than some entry-level dSLRs? Or the Olympus E-420 fitted with the 25mm pancake lens, a combination small enough to look like a bulky point-and-shoot?

If not properly stated, this vague description may trigger some arguments at the security checkpoint, and I don't think spectators will be happy to be rejected at the door just because of the equipment they are carrying. The best way to steer clear of all the trouble and get your seat? Leave your SLR at home.

(Via CNET Asia)

[Mindstyle06]

Never saw so many (!!) restrictions with any Olympic games so far in my life, internet was crippled, now ban on SLRs. How many things we gonna know when we actually land there? It would have been lot better if some other 'democratic' country would have won the bid for Olympics..

[FogleBR]

I am personally against this but understand the reasons for it.

First, China is a communist country and has extreme concerns for the security of its regime. With this in mind, anyone could use their dSLR to photograph security checkpoints, military/police personnel, security equipment. While benign in nature to the average person, photos of these items and the procedures or incidents involved could help a foreign government or put a bad light on Chinese practices in the case of brutality or wrongdoing. Remember that it is a communist country that has big brother always watching.

Second, there is a lot of money involved. Why would China want a bunch of trigger happy dSLR users taking photos for free when the pros have to pay for licenses, credentials, and Visas?

Being a photographer in a communist country is very difficult, especially a foreign photographer. There is a high possibility that any photos taken by professionals are screened before they can leave the country. The ban on personal dSLRs might be to prevent individual?s photos from not being screened. China has an extremely advanced internet control system. They track all traffic entering and leaving the country, anything not approved by the Communist Party is intercepted. It might possibly even be flagged and a violator punished for their action against the party.

Remember all these things the time you press your shutter button in China, and be glad that we live in America!

[harveyelmore]

Absolutely ridiculous, we should banned China on their pollution alone, now big business get's involved again.

[hitek1979]

So when you guys go to an NFL, MLB, or NBA game, security lets you bring in your SLR and telephoto lens without question? No press pass needed? Yeah, I didn't think so. Must be because American sports are run by communists.

[arjo1979]

Yes, I've brought an SLR with a 300mm telephoto lens to plenty of sporting events; multiple baseball games, College football and to a USA vs England Soccer game. There's never even a question.

[el_toloc]

I hope the Chinese people enjoy the Olympic games because seeing how many restrictions their authorities are imposing on the visitors, chances are China will never get any type of sporting competition ever again.

[usad]