Camera Nerd Blog O’ The Week: What’s in My Bag, Game Day

No, I didn’t forget anything–my dirty, well-used iPhone 4 is the only thing that should be in the photo, because that’s all I’m taking with me. I don’t shoot sports professionally, I’m not getting a paycheck, I’m not on photo assignment. I am going to a ballgame, with my family, to have fun and eat peanuts and Crackerjacks and all that jazz–assuming, of course, the rain and lightning stop before game time.

Before you call me a hypocrite, I will admit that sometimes, I take a DSLR with me to Durham Bulls games. When I had a smaller mirrorless camera, I would take that instead. Every once in awhile, I get photos that I like with the DSLR, but here’s the rub–I never take enough lens to get really good photos–at least not of the players or action–because that would require a big, obnoxious telephoto lens that would be a pain to bring, and would annoy all the fans around me. Even though the rules don’t spell out what you can and can’t bring in terms of photo gear, I’m pretty sure officials would have a problem if I brought in something like a 300mm f/4 IS.

Most major professional sports venues won’t let you bring in anything more than a compact, anyway. I would urge you to consider leaving even that behind. You’re going to have your phone with you no matter what, and you might use it to take some photos of all the fun you’re having. If the venue is like the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, it might even host an Instagram ballgame photo contest that you can enter. But for the sake of your family and friends, the fans around you, and for your own enjoyment of the game, consider leaving your serious gear at home and instead root, root root for the hommmmmme team, because if they don’t win it’s a shame.

Opening Night 2013, Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Canon 5D Mark III with 16-35 f/2.8L