This is in reply to the recent excellent blog post from Matthew Sparkes at PC Pro.

I too own a big camera (Nikon D80) + some long lenses (well a stablised 18-200mm + a 70-300mm depending on the occasion, + some fast smaller fixed lenses - the 200-400 is sadly just a dream).

Not that I’m a pap or a professional photographer, I just enjoy photography.   It seriously is starting to annoy me (as it is Matthew) when I’m refused entry to gig’s or told to leave camera behind - especially when pictures are for my own enjoyment and not publication on net or otherwise.    Its even more annoying as the tickets to gigs, nor anything online say you’re not allowed to take personal cameras  - and it is the goons on the door responsible for policing a unwritten rule.

I see people with higher megapixel counts in small cameras being allowed in (and with similar zooms, just smaller bodies) - yet why am I refused entry with what is only a semi-pro camera with a prosumer lens (I’m not taking a pro lens to a gig without being in the press box!!).

Now, I have a dilema, should I just forget taking my proper camera equipment places, and just stick to consumer cameras ?- or should I complain every time I go to a gig?

Or should I simply do as I’ve been considering a few months now and actually just get a real publication to sponsor me for a press pass - get my pics published - and go to gigs as a bona-fide press member instead?