Abu Dhabi GP

[Amadeus]

A friend has gone to the GP, intending to take loads of photos. Got there went through the expected search to be told that he is not allowed anything other than a point and click camera. He is absolutely livid. His £400 ticket makes no reference to this restriction. Completely mad!

[dkid]

Ah well, at least there will be plenty of booze, drugs and hookers to make the rest of his stay more enjoyable.

No? Ah....



Seriously though, that is pants and I'd be more than a tad annoyed too. Taking pictures was my favourite bit about silverstone this year.

[Brettus]

I'd considered an EOS M for these situations, looks like a point and shoot but behaves a whole lot better. I wonder exactly where and how they draw the line (I'd imagine it is blurred to say the least when you consider they have their own discretion too)

[Amadeus]

I wondered whether a more worldly person than my friend would have tried the bribe approach. Never know what to do in some countries.
I can imagine it happening in a couple of European countries but not there.

I suspect he's still livid...

[Brettus]

Yeah, forgot to say he has my sympathies as that is really bad but it is hardly unusual unfortunately. I didn't realise that I can't take my tripod in hand luggage from certain airports but I can from others, just gotta research as much as you can.

I think it is stupid that places ban cameras at all though as people that pay for the camera passes usually get to different places anyway so what is the harm? Even at concerts and such, I wouldn't be harming anyone, I wouldn't be asking people to get out of my shot or anything. Isn't it also free extra publicity too so surely that is beneficial.

[Sir Trev]

I never watch F1 but when you look at the stands at MotoGP events there are always loads of people with DSLRs and telephoto lenses. If F1 take this approach everywhere it sucks - if it was just that official and/or at that circuit and you were not to reasonably know it sucks way more.

If it was not an obvious clause in the contract of the ticket purchase there could be a case for a small claims action. Other similar sporting events, such as MotoGP, do not appear to have issues with cameras so if that exclusion was not reasonably clear for this event before being turned away at the gate there may be grounds for compensation. Unfortunately, putting "can I take a camera to f1 events" into Google brings up several notes about circuits not allowing recording devices so this may be a very expensive item chalked up to experience.

[Amadeus]

I think he should write to them to complain - worst that happens is he gets nothing back. Very difficult to know whether it was someone bring officious but ultimately it's a spectator sport so it's not unreasonable to take a camera along.
Would never have occurred to me to look it up on the web first tho - just would never expect such a rule.

[Sir Trev]

Would never have occurred to me to look it up on the web first tho - just would never expect such a rule.


Agreed. And as you say get him to complain as he's got nothing to lose.

[STRAMASHER]

I got told the same thing at Valencia MotoGP a few years ago at the gate. No vid cams. Raging. Rest of the squad went in and I walked round to another gate and got the the more typical Euro response....Not giving a feck. ;)

I suggest hiding it under a Burka next time. :)