p.1 #1 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
I know we're a couple of years away from 2028, but I was wondering for those who were able to attend prior Olympics, what sized lens were you able to bring in?
I read the Paris 2024 games restrictions and they said lens had to be 20cm or shorter. I'm worried this will pose a problem for my RF 100-500L which is 20.76cm when fully retracted (hopefully the people working the gates don't ask me to extend it, because then it becomes way too long (almost 30cm).
What lenses were you able/allowed to bring in? I'm wondering if I'll have to pick up (or rent) the 100-400 to stay well under the 20cm limit. I also have an RF 70-200L f/2.8 (the retractable one) but then I'm worried about losing all that reach since I will likely not have seats that are super close to the action and that model doesn't work with an extender.
p.1 #3 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
Thanks for he link. So for Paris 24 and the Winter 26 games they kept the same 20cm limit and that person wasn't challenged to prove that the 100-500 was under the limit. I know it can be completely dependent on how strict each specific gate-person is about enforcing the rules, but I'm at least glad to see there's a proven chance to get the 100-500L into The Games.
p.1 #4 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
The 100-400 non-L RF lens might fit, but it is not a fast lens in terms of aperture. I don't know if 400 mm is enough, and I don't know what kind of lighting you'd encounter on some events.
I think the lens size restriction is partly to protect people around you. Swinging a big lens around is almost like swinging a short bat.
p.1 #5 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
The good news there was for both Olympics a simple rule: max 20cm lenses…. no Pro non Pro camera bull…it, etc…
The security people at Paris and Milano were all volunteers with a supervisor every 4 or 6. Their main task is to check for dangerous goods, and it seems even more important for drinks….. mostly they have no idea of camera, extending lens, etc…
I do feel that in EU they are a bit more relaxed than US for security so you may except more rigorous checks il LA.
I used a small neutral backpack. Camera with the lens attached on a neoprene sleeve. I don’t take the hood, or I take the small black one ES-83 not mounted. I tape the front barrel with a black insulation tape that you can’t see so the lens cannot be extended just in case. I take a small measure tape.
The lens mounted without the front cap is just barely more than 20cm, nobody will send you back for 0.5cm, in regards of extended or not the rule is not clear so you could eventually argue about it. I take the 1.4x converter and 1 or 2 wide lenses with me too.
If they would send you back just go to another queue and you probably will pass.
RF 100-400 is way below 20cm collapsed but it is longer extended so honestly other that it looks much smaller is not a much safer bet than the RF 100-500.
The safest solution would be the RF 70-200 Z + 2x Converter (not mounted of course). If you want to be 100% safe you could rent it.
Here my experience:
Milano Corina 2026
Downhill ski: checked my backpack, I did not have to take the camera out from the backpack, no questions were asked.
Speed Skating: checked my backpack, I did not have to take the camera out from the backpack, no questions were asked
Pairs Figure Skating: checked my backpack and they asked how long it is and I is said: exactly 20cm. I said I have a measure tape if they want to check and they let me go without taking my camera off the sleeve.
Men Ice Hockey qualifier: did not check my backpack at all
Men Ice Hockey semifinal: asked to put my backpack into the scanner (same as the airport one) and asked no question
Men Ice Hockey final: asked to put my backpack into the scanner (same as the airport one) and asked no question
Paris 2024
Road Cycling: there was no security check as there was no ticketing and it was open to everyone, public streets
Beach Volleyball: checked my backpack, I did not have to take the camera out from the backpack, no questions were asked
Horse Showjumping Qualifier: checked my backpack, I did not have to take the camera out from the backpack, no questions were asked
Horse Showjumping Final: checked my backpack, I did not have to take the camera out from the backpack, no questions were asked
So in 10 Olympics events I was never asked once to show the camera let alone to measure it.
If you search in the forum for Olympics you will find my pictures.
p.1 #6 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
Carlo_M wrote:
I know we're a couple of years away from 2028, but I was wondering for those who were able to attend prior Olympics, what sized lens were you able to bring in?
I read the Paris 2024 games restrictions and they said lens had to be 20cm or shorter. I'm worried this will pose a problem for my RF 100-500L which is 20.76cm when fully retracted (hopefully the people working the gates don't ask me to extend it, because then it becomes way too long (almost 30cm).
What lenses were you able/allowed to bring in? I'm wondering if I'll have to pick up (or rent) the 100-400 to stay well under the 20cm limit. I also have an RF 70-200L f/2.8 (the retractable one) but then I'm worried about losing all that reach since I will likely not have seats that are super close to the action and that model doesn't work with an extender.
What kind of sports do you plan on attending? If doing your own photography is an important part of the experience, I would consider selecting events where you can have really good access and opportunity to take very good shots of the athletes and also remember the feeling of being there, and photograph people's reactions to the events, if you can; I think those are an important part and not less important than getting shots of the athletes. If you have interest in specific sports, for example, something you have participated in yourself, of course those can be meaningful as well, even if photography is difficult.
I think not many security personel would actually care about a few millimeters in your lens's physical length, and they might not even have a clear idea if the zoom should be extended before making the determination, so I would just take what is close to the maximum and what you think will be the most useful lens to have, and pick something shorter to put in the bag as well, for those spectator shots, and for low light situations. If I aim for getting shots of athletes, I often forget to also take those audience shots, and this gives me regret afterwards.
Olympics might not be the easiest sports event to photograph as a spectator because there will be so many people there and the scale is so big, but the feelings experienced by the spectators and athletes are all the greater. This can translate into great photographs. But make sure to enjoy the event even if the photography possibilities are limited by your position in the crowd. Follow the security instructions. A few millimeters won't be one of the priorities, I am sure, but if you go into an area where you are not supposed to be in, they could try to throw you out entirely. That's not ideal!
p.1 #7 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
Carlo_M wrote:
I know we're a couple of years away from 2028, but I was wondering for those who were able to attend prior Olympics, what sized lens were you able to bring in?
I read the Paris 2024 games restrictions and they said lens had to be 20cm or shorter. I'm worried this will pose a problem for my RF 100-500L which is 20.76cm when fully retracted (hopefully the people working the gates don't ask me to extend it, because then it becomes way too long (almost 30cm).
What lenses were you able/allowed to bring in? I'm wondering if I'll have to pick up (or rent) the 100-400 to stay well under the 20cm limit. I also have an RF 70-200L f/2.8 (the retractable one) but then I'm worried about losing all that reach since I will likely not have seats that are super close to the action and that model doesn't work with an extender.
Not to put a damper on your plans, but I would first check with people whether it’s even worth trying to shoot any of the sports without media access. You’re probably so far away, with a busy foreground and background, that you risk not enjoying yourself because you’re focused on photography instead of just watching the game.
p.1 #8 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
Thanks all, especially action99 as I'm hoping to experience something very similar to what you did, and hope to not get turned away with the 100-500!
Some quick answers (won't do the multiquote thing as that can get messy with so many replies):
1. I'll be going to gold medal baseball, Round of 16 swimming, beach volleyball prelim round
2. I am very familiar with shooting with large-ish lenses (the 100-500 would seem large for non photography people, but for those of us who have handled the 600 and 800 5.6 it's tiny lol) and am conscientious of not impeding others' views...but I also have 4 tickets to each event so I'll be sitting in the middle of my friends (one of whom is also an amateur photographer so we'll be in the middle seats)
3. While we don't have our seats, we know what sections we'll be in. That's why I know I'll need at least the 500L (we're bringing in other, smaller lenses to take wider shots, friend shots, candids, videos, etc.). I know I'm not going to get baseball shots like I would if I had Jared Polin's access to the photographer's well at Dodger Stadium, but in the section my tickets are at, the 500 should give me decent framing of the action (we'll also put a 1.4X extender in our bag, the 2X loses too much pic quality).
4. I'm a local so I already know Dodger Stadium and So-Fi stadium, where baseball and swimming will be, and the distance from the sections where my seats will be to the action. The only big unknown is the beach volleyball arena which has yet to be built.
The other event I'm hoping to photograph (as a cyclist myself) is road cycling. As action99 said, it's not a ticketed event so once they release the route, my friend (and fellow photographer) and I will pre-scout the route to see where the best place to post up is.
For those worried about me focusing too much on the action vs. enjoying the event, as I said, I'll be with three friends (three different groups, in fact, the only constant is my photographer friend) and we'll likely be having the time of our lives, so I'll be soaking in the Olympics more than photographing it. But when I am shooting athletes at a distance, I hope to be doing it with the 100-500L attached to the R5ii because security didn't hassle me for over 0.76cm.
p.1 #10 · For those who have photographed the Olympics as a spectator, what size lens did they let you bring in?
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm going to be super bummed if I can't get my 100-500L in there after seeing those beautiful shots.
On a side note, I just got an RF 70-200L IS USM Z so I can use the teleconverter (in case I get hassled for the 0.76cm over the 20cm limit). It's currently $200 and my local camera shop had a Mother's Day We Pay The Tax sale.
Yes, I have the non Z version but it turns out what KEH pays for the lens used is pretty darned close to what I paid for it 3+ years ago, with a slightly lower MSRP, $300 Canon instant rebate and another No Tax Day...is just $500 less than what I paid for it back in 2023. So I have a Zoom consultation with them this coming week to confirm what it should be graded at (I take care of my stuff so I expect at least an Excellent+ if not a Like New Minus (I have all the accessories, as well as the box and paperwork). So I'll essentially have rented the OG 70-200 2.8 for about $133 a year--not bad considering how much I've used it over those 40ish months.
