Call up their public relations/manager/etc. and explain to them the situation. Probably start off at smaller events and that way you can build up your portfolio. You may have to give up your rights to the photos (you can't use them commercially), but I'm sure they'll credit you for them.

For community/charity events, you can probably just ask the organiser politely lol.

Should probably be aware of your reputation if you're thinking of making a fake media pass (which shouldn't be too hard) :P

on a topic: what do you need to get photo pass ?

As far as I knowhere in the Netherlands it is only getting harder to bring your dslr inside at a sporting event once the crowd builds up to larger sizes. So when you get to the really interesting games then you'll have a problem getting it in. Basically they just don't want you to distrurb others with the chnaces of people getting upset and security problems can arrise.

I know the same deal goes for concerts, I just happen to do those quite a lot. Either you manage to get a photopass or they won't allow in dslrs. They just forget that a dslr is way less in the way of other people than compacts. People just keep those above their heads blocking the view for all those behind them. There's only a few concerts that I know of where they actually took in all compacts and mobile phones with cameras.

I never go to concerts without getting a photopass because I will certainly not surrender my gear to security. So for all of those cases where you are in doubt: check up front.

You run into the same issue at concerts.

Singers got tired of being hit in the eyes from flash guns.

wind - sounds like a conversation with someone from TSA ;)

LOL we get that everywhere in the world... especially in forums.. I definitely know what I am talking about ! You are all wrong and I must correct you all !!!

(sigh .. why cant I post pictures ... sob ...)

Don't you just hate it when you definitely know what you're talking about, and people insist it really isn't? :D

He called the lens a "scope" though :S

Me: "But it's not professional"
Security: "I know what I'm talking about. I've been in this job for many years"

hehehe d80+50mm a professional long distance camera :) - that was great wind, thanks for sharing this with us, don't know like for others but You've made my weekend even better

You said it: their house, their rules :)

I got told by security to put away my D80 and 50mm at a horse race lol.

He said it was a professional camera with a big scope so it wasn't allowed *shrugs*. Their house, their rules I suppose, even though I was only taking happy snaps of my friends :P

With the current popularity of SLR equipment it is actually quite logical that they don't let everyone in packing full equipment. One facet is that everything is about business an other might be security fears of the present "changed world".

I think that the safest bet is to get in contact with the organisers of the event and apply for a permission to use your equipment and in exchange allow them to use your pictures. If you are a pro and are able to impress them with a nice portfolio then maybe you could negotiate a fee. Also the organisers can instruct you on how to behave, where to go and what not to do.

Disallowing cameras with exchangeable lenses is common practice here too but photographers who apply for permission aren't generally frowned upon.

the best thing is to give them a call and chk, if its not allowed and you think they not sure ask them to provide written conformation of that...

I haven't gone to sporting events, but have gone to the Javits Center for the Auto Show. For some odd reason, they did not allow backpacks but didn't care when I walked in with one.

Also, the Intrepid aircraft carrier does not allow "professional cameras with removable lenses". I guess I got through just fine because my D40 is sized like an advanced compact.

oasisfan33 said it.

Nothing with a removable lens?!!? Real lame. Real lame indeed.

Never got stopped with my D50 and 70-300, but when I tried my D300 w/ 70-300 at an NBA game - they wouldn't let me in. Head of security said NBA's policy is nothing with a removable lens (i.e. SLR). I haven't tried since.

I have season tickets to our AAA baseball team here in the front row and my D3 and 80-200 are with me every day. I've never had any problem at all.

I love going to sporting events of all kinds (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, etc..) and since I'm new to the world of DSLR photography, I'd like to bring my D200, a 70-200, and a few other lenses in a backpack to shoot from my seat. I was just wondering if anyone has ever had any trouble with event staff when they whip out a semi pro camera and a beastly looking lens.

I've never had issues with a point and shoot at events like these, but since I'll be carrying around a "pro looking" setup, I was just wondering if anyone would give me trouble.
Please share your stories and experiences!

Thanks!