Pixiq

I doubt you will get a call Daniela, so it is just as well you are not holding your breath.

The perennial problem is that you are dealing with petty-minded morons who spew jargon, written and spoken, in the belief that it somehow enhances their authority. They do not have the basic intelligence to realise how stupid their inconsistency might be. And there are a lot of these sub-humanoids - in the UK there are legions of 'small' people who, given the tiniest bit of authority, cannot wait to use it or to tell you what to do and how to run your life. That seems to be the reason they cling to for their purpose on planet earth. Sadly, people will go for the 'no fuss' option and behave like sheep.

The added incentive is that in the UK these self-appointed guardians of public morality will not hesitate to call the police and you are then faced with trying to explain your legitimate actions to another brain-dead lump of protoplasm who has, through specious use of the 'laws of the land', the ability to waste a great deal of your time with no fear whatsoever of redress.

Reading things like this does not exactly make me sorry I get back there as seldom as I can possibly manage within reason...give me the 'anarchy' of Italy: people simply do not feel the need to interfere with what you are doing in going about your business. Hey this is what put the 'Grate' in Great Britain!

Hmmmm. So let me get this straight: I can't take my ancient 3 MP Canon D30, circa 2001, but I'm allowed my 8 MP iPhone 4S or anything shooting film, say my even more ancient RB67 or even an 8x10 Sinar?

Can you spell S T O O P U D?

I think this rule is aimed at prohibiting 'professional quality' photography which could be sold or used commercially. Music venues often have similar rules, the thinking being you wouldn't be able to make any money out of pictures taken with a 'non-professional' camera. This may not be true, and you're dead right about film (my £10 Olympus Trip offering the same resolution as a 5D, for example) but I bet that's what they say...

It would also appear that I could put in an appearance with my old Minolta X-370 and be okay. They didn't say a thing about analogue SLRs :)

They are obliged to respond to a formal Freedom of Information request (within 21 days, I think).

I would call them and ask to speak to their FOI team.

Disgraceful.

the thing is it's not a working station. if it was they stop you shooting there anyway.

it's the distinction of DSLRs that is ignorant. A gh2 or an M9 are fine...love to see them say no when i go there and explain it is not a DSLR!

In situations like this you just need to have a little fun and take advantage of their ignorance. You take the camera in anyways. When they ask you to stop you just give them a dumb look and say 'what's a digital SLR? A professional what? I got this camera at Best Buy, not some fancy camera store?'

Typically one of the following will then occur.

-They will look silly trying to explain what a D-SLR is, and finally just give up when they realize they have no idea what they are talking about.

-They'll decide there's no way you're a 'professional' since you supposedly bought the camera at a box store and leave you alone.

-They may attempt to defend the dumb policy and try to kick you out anyways. Record it and post it on the Internet so people are aware and can criticize them for the stupid policy.

oops, double post...

If this is as big a deal to you, why are you bothering with telephone calls and FOI requests?

Organise a letter writing campaign to get the rules amended.

Aldwych Station is private property and, as such, they can put in place whatever rules they want. Bitching about it is doing precisely nothing to change them, a campaign to get the rules updated or changed will.

Why don't you write an article about that instead?

if it is private whats to complain about. they could say take off your shoes if they wanted.

Sign at a well-known music venue, that broadcasts a national weekly radio show:
"No flash or professional photography equipment."

They are also a private property, and can make any rules they want, but rule this is ambiguous.

What makes equipment professional? Since it is not my full-time job, and not supplying positive income, I certainly do not consider myself a professional, therefor my equipment is not, either.

After years of frequenting this place, I can say that they consider long lenses professional, but won't look twice at a 50mm, a Leica, or a Flip recording video 3 feet from their stage.