Obama Rallies - Cameras allowed? Camera Bags?

October 26, 2008 10:35 PM

Attending an Obama Rally this week and I want to take pictures, but the RSVP warns 'Please limit personal items.'

Does that mean no cameras? If I can carry a camera, will they give me crap about a camera bag? I'd love to carry multiple lenses seeing as I don't know how far away I'll be OR if it's indoors/outdoors. Thanks!

posted by datacenter refugee to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

If it's outdoors, maybe they don't want people bringing deck chairs.
posted by dunkadunc at 10:45 PM on October 26, 2008

They'll have the portable metal detector things at the venue. Expect to get your bag searched as if you were boarding a plane. The more stuff you have, the more you delay the people behind you, even if it's harmless.

Call the venue and ask the indoors/outdoors question, so you can pick a single lens. If you want to haul more gear, get a press pass. (Not a realistic suggestion, I'm just sayin'. You're the audience, and they expect you to act like it.)
posted by Myself at 10:49 PM on October 26, 2008

From an email for an event that was a few weeks ago:
"- Leave signs, pocket-knives & pepper spray at home
- Do not bring professional cameras or anything recording devices /tri-pods
- No backpacks or large bags (as they slow down event entry)"
posted by milkrate at 10:56 PM on October 26, 2008

A friend in Cincinnati was stopped for having a camera with a detachable lens. He was told that his camera was not allowed by one guard and was allowed in by another. He went in with the camera and had no trouble after.
posted by cdmwebs at 11:18 PM on October 26, 2008

If it's raining, you'll have to leave your umbrella outside the event. When I went, there were *piles* of umbrellas next to the entrance. Better to wear wet weather gear.
posted by idb at 6:17 AM on October 27, 2008

First, by all means get there early. Way early. My SO and I drove two hours to an Obama rally last weekend to discover that there was no way we were getting in. Talking to the crowd, we learned that when it started getting close to capacity, people with bags of any kind were turned away (without even the suggestion of a search. It was like: "Oh, you've got a bag? Back of the line"). Maybe you can get a camera in if you're there super early, but otherwise, any excuse to send you to the back of the line may well be invoked.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 10:16 AM on October 27, 2008

When I went to the rally here in Asheville cameras were allowed, but I believe that camera bags were not. And yeah, get there early.
posted by Who_Am_I at 10:41 AM on October 27, 2008

I carried my Nikon D300 with battery grip and 18-200 lens into the rally in Springfield where Biden was rolled out. Secret service inspected it at the metal detector (took all of about 3 seconds) and let me in. No problems. I left my camera bag with the rest of my lenses and gear in the car though.
posted by AstroGuy at 11:02 AM on October 27, 2008