CoTA prohibits long camera lenses. What next?

[phillippe]

True. Which the FOM tries to counteract by zealously removing public posting of videos.

[Pup]

A 10"+ lens is a big ass lens. This is Nikon's smallest lens that exceeds that limit...

I costs six grand. Now, I know that there are amateur photographers out there who have equipment like that and would love to try their hand at shooting a grand prix, but in the scheme of things, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Regardless, any decent lens that length is going to be pretty bulky and heavy and require a tripod anyway. That or some impressive biceps and unnaturally steady hands. Is there a size limit on biceps?

[Miguel]

A 10"+ lens is a big ass lens. This is Nikon's smallest lens that exceeds that limit...

It costs six grand. Now, I know that there are amateur photographers out there who have equipment like that and would love to try their hand at shooting a grand prix, but in the scheme of things, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Regardless, any decent lens that length is going to be pretty bulky and heavy and require a tripod anyway. That or some impressive biceps and unnaturally steady hands. Is there a size limit on biceps?

While Pup has a point about that 300/2.8 nikkor, you can always get a Nikon 1, an F-mount adapter, a 70-300 VR and you have a compact-ish kit that does 800 mm equivalent. Ok, so it's 10 megapixel only. Well, I'm sure competent people are able to get really nice pics with this setup.

EDIT: By the way, COTA also forbides all sort of video cameras. What is a video camera? Is a DSLR that does 1080p and can film quality TV a video camera?

[Cold Fussion]

A 10"+ lens is a big ass lens. This is Nikon's smallest lens that exceeds that limit...

It costs six grand. Now, I know that there are amateur photographers out there who have equipment like that and would love to try their hand at shooting a grand prix, but in the scheme of things, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Regardless, any decent lens that length is going to be pretty bulky and heavy and require a tripod anyway. That or some impressive biceps and unnaturally steady hands. Is there a size limit on biceps?

While Pup has a point about that 300/2.8 nikkor, you can always get a Nikon 1, an F-mount adapter, a 70-300 VR and you have a compact-ish kit that does 800 mm equivalent. Ok, so it's 10 megapixel only. Well, I'm sure competent people are able to get really nice pics with this setup.

EDIT: By the way, COTA also forbides all sort of video cameras. What is a video camera? Is a DSLR that does 1080p and can film quality TV a video camera?

I doubt the Nikon 1's autofocus system would cope at all at a race track. You shouldn't need a tripod for a 300, are monopods banned? It's also impossible to ban video considering every camera and phone since 2008 records video.

[Just_a_fan]

The video ban is more about keeping the media companies happy. Sky, NBC etc. pay big money for the broadcast rights so they don't want someone else videoing and broadcasting races. They can't stop Joe Public from videoing it for their own use though because it's impossible to police that. CoTA, Silverstone, Monza etc. all say "no videoing of races"

[Miguel]

I doubt the Nikon 1's autofocus system would cope at all at a race track. You shouldn't need a tripod for a 300, are monopods banned? It's also impossible to ban video considering every camera and phone since 2008 records video.

Well, if you go to CotA with a Nikon 1 and a 70-300 for the 800mm equivalent, you sure as hell are able to do manual focus, plus the small sensor's greater depth of field is going to help. While it is not, of course, a D4 or 1dX with an 800mm f/5.6, decent images are possible.

[Pup]

This is from Hockenheim - my guess is that all of the tracks have these restrictions and that they come from FOM. How strictly those rules are enforced is a different discussion I suppose...

At major events, photography from the grandstands using SLR cameras with zoom lenses of any type is prohibited. The use of camera tripods of any type on the grandstands is also prohibited. The only exemptions to this rule are press photographers accredited for the relevant event who can identify themselves by means of a valid event press pass, or persons with corresponding written permission from Hockenheim-Ring GmbH.

[Miguel]

I don't like the wording of the Hockenheim rules of admission. Technically, the 300mm lens above is *not* a zoom lens, but a prime (fixed focal length) lens. A 14-24 wide angle lens is, however. a zoom, since the focal length can change. So if one becomes anal, and if Hockenheim won't kick you out for any other reason, you should be admitted with the hypothetical 800mm lens. Let's call this the double diffuser of photography.

[foxmulder_ms]

Moronic decision.

[strad]

Do you really think the people at the gate know the difference? They're looking for long professional looking lenses.
They're looking for stuff that could be used for professional, ie sell the photos, level photography. Do you think they know fixed focal from zoom?

[Pup]

Agreed, yet it's an unusual lack of precision for ze Germans.

[rjsa]

Isn't all this old news and borught to attention now that americans actually read fine prints?

[strad]

I don't understand since it's much the same as many concerts and other events where TV or other entertainment industries have a stake in the game.

[thearmofbarlow]

I don't understand since it's much the same as many concerts and other events where TV or other entertainment industries have a stake in the game.

Just more vague excuses for Euros to --- on Americans. We're used to the idiocy.

I suggest you all have a look at every ticket for every live event you've ever attended. Audio and video recordings are usually prohibited, and there are always restrictions on photographic equipment.

Only now it's TEH BAD MURRICANS doing it to The Amazing Perfect Euros. Ignoring that every other event has these exact same rules. But hey, whatever. Screw America. Amirite?

[sknguy]

If the problem is length, and If you are wanting to get close shots, you could go for a mirror lens. They'd certainly measure in at less than 10 inch long. Although not as optically versatile as a regular (refractive) telescopic lens, they make for interesting long range potrait shooting and isolating a subject at a distance (or just portrait shooting in general). They tend to cost a little less than their equivalent focal lenth brethren too. Just as with "long" telephotos, you'd still need a stready tripod for mirrors too.