If
you’re planning to attend the Kentucky Derby early next month, you
might want to make sure you’ll be content with capturing your memories
with a smartphone or point-and-shoot. Churchill Downs, the racetrack
that hosts the famous horse race, has unveiled new security measures
that will prevent attendees from bringing certain items onto the
grounds. Among them: all interchangeable lens cameras.
In
addition to interchangeable lens cameras (e.g. DSLRs, mirrorless
cameras), the guidelines also prohibit any camera that has a lens longer
than 6 inches, tripods, and camcorders.
Churchill
Grounds says that the measures were developed after consulting with
several law enforcement authorities following the Boston Marathon
bombings last week.
The policy reflects a common prejudice against “professional” style cameras. It’s interesting that a $629 entry-level Canon Rebel (a crop-frame camera) with a 18-55mm kit lens will be banned under the new policy, but a professional $2,800 Sony RX1 full frame compact camera will be perfectly acceptable.
....and
that a tiny Sony NEX mirrorless camera with a pancake lens will be
banned, while a much larger bridge camera with a powerful zoom lens will
be perfectly acceptable:
Churchill Downs says that permitted items include:
Small cameras, but none equipped with detachable lenses or lenses more than 6 inches;
and
Cellular telephones, smartphones and tablets
It looks like you might want to pick up a telephoto lens for your iPad after all. Oh wait… that lenses is nearly 8 inches long. Is that allowed?…
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