Monopods are Prohibited

I was recently surprised to learn that the Monterey Bay Aquarium specifically prohibits both tripods AND monopods

from use. I understand the tripod prohibition (they interfere with visitor movement), but monopods? Does anyone

have similar experiences at other locations with this kind of prohibition? Any success in getting around it

(legally)?

why would you want to get around it? just do what the owners of the place want. it is theirs not yours; an they can set any rules they wish. when you get your own aquarium building you can set any rules you like.

 

if you think that is a interesting rule wait till the people get to the china olympics and take pics with their dslrs.

a monopod can and have been used as a striking weapon.

I haven't had any problems with monopods nor have I seen them prohibited anywhere...In fact we were just at a local zoo last weekend and I saw 3 or 4 monopods... Have even seen Tripods at Disney World....

 

My guess is that someone tripped over one and / or complained about the use of one, so management decided to ban them. Or possibility does exist that management doesn't want to train help so they ban both.

 

Legally - my guess is that unless you can prove a disability that would require you to use a tripod or monopod you're probably not going to have much luck, since the attractions can set whatever rules they want regarding such things. You might be glad that they didn't ban photography altogether.

 

Dave

I was just in Russia and Estonia, and the places you could actually TAKE pictures (I got stopped several times, including a street

market, which I thought was odd), there were prohibitions on tripods/monopods all over. Also last year in Paris, I saw those restrictions in places.

 

My solution was basically get creative, and see how I can compose with the wall or nearby railing. Not much else you can do,

since often flash is out of the question.

 

Trip hazards and assault aside, I think there's the "we want you to buy OUR postcards with photos" angle too. Sometimes I take a prohibited photo

anyway (A/F, aim and snap while pretending to look at something else). It's the photographic version of the finger, I admit.

I agree that you should follow the rules laid out by the owners, but you might be able to get away with using a string tripod. You

attach a string to a bolt that screws into the tripod mount of the camera, and the other end of the string drops to the floor. You stand

on the string and pull up until the string is tight. The camera should be much steadier now. Not rock solid, but much steadier.

 

Peter

To add to the answers as to why they might be prohibited, they can be used to break the glass. Although I would hope that the glass

is very strong and not easily broken. Can you imagine millions of gallons of water rushing into the aquarium full of people?

 

Peter

Did you ask anyone about the rule or ask them why the restriction was in place?

 

It might make sense to get the official answer and then attempt to reason with them... if nothing else, you'll know the truth and would have more facts than you're going to get by a bunch of us speculating on a website...

<i>Can you imagine millions of gallons of water rushing into the aquarium full of people?</i><br><br>

Now THAT would be an amazing photo!

St Louis Art Museum will allow neither tripods nor monopods. I tried to get permission via e-mail for a monopod,

but no answer at all. Of course, no flash either, but no problem with hand-held cameras. Chicago and Vienna,

similarly no problem with hand-held pictures, to mention only a few.

 

I must say that the monopod I have, one of the Dynotran knockoffs, is built like a tank and would certainly make

an excellent blunt weapon.

 

>>gallons of water rushing into the aquarium full of people<<

 

Some movie I saw years ago, had a gunfight in an aquarium with just the results indicated.<div></div>

Re: String tripod. Works quite well for what it is. No need to attach the string to the tripod screw. Just loop the upper part of the string loop over the lens, put your foot in the lower end of the loop and pull up on the camera. No great force required. Easy to make field expedient and easy to carry.

...or you could try a "tripod-beater," like the Nikon D3 camera with a VR lens. If you can use ISO 5000 and get decent color, what would you need a tripod or monopod for?<div></div>

I wonder if walking sticks or canes are allowed? What would happen if you braced your camera on one?

Kind of restricts your point-of-view, but pressing the front element ring of your camera lens (or filter) firmly against the glass will get you rock steady results and eliminate reflections. Or just press one point of the rim against the glass, to achieve a better angle. Whenever doing this bring the two together *very* gently.

The aquarium can be quite crowded, people trying to shuffle up to and away from various display windows, etc. Also in much of it it's rather dark. I'm guessing they just don't want the potential for hazards and the congestion. I don't think it's to make sales of "their" images.

You can do perfectly well in an aquarium using a digital camera at ISO 800 and f/2.8, without support. In all fairness, it is probably a safety issue, since the halls in aquariums are generally very dark.

 

You need permission ($$) in Europe to use tripods in churches and cathedrals, except in Spain where you can't even use a camera (but have gift shops where you can purchase properly sanctified photos). Art galleries won't allow anything you might poke a painting with, including tiny folding umbrellas.

I guess that's the age we all live in. More and more things are prohibited. While I understand tripod ban in crowded aquarium, I think monopod shouldn't be banned. Even if they fear someone is going to use it to break the glass. I think there are more efficient ways to break a thick glass than simply whacking it with a stick in a room full of people.

I person with a monopod would be annoying on a busy day at Monterey Aquarium. That place is packed on a busy weekend and it easily would cause trouble. Buy a faster lens, go tricked out with your strobe, crank up your ISO.

I can see the point of the restriction. Be thankful, the Baltimore aquarium doesn't even allow you to take strollers in. Makes it hard for my wife, son (6 months) and I to visit until he is quite a bit older. Sure I realize my son isn't really enjoying that sort of thing right now, but it helps keep his parents a bit saner.

I understand that most "glass" panels in aquaria are actually plastic (Lucite) and very difficult to damage, though they do scratch.

Instead of pressing the front of the lens against the glass, try a screw-in lens hood. You know, the one with a rubber front end. It gives a good steady hold, and absolutely prevents glare. The next time I try this, I'll also try an off camera flash to light up the subject.<div></div>

A monopod could prove to be very hazardous at the Monterey Aquarium, as anyone that has ever been there can attest. The crowds are

very heavy, and include many overly exuberant young children. Looking for a way around this rule appears quite arrogant to me.

 

I have had good experiences shooting with a rubber lens shade pressed against the glass. In many sections, flash photography is strictly

prohibited. Bring a fast lens, and crank up your ISO. Bright light is harmful to some species.

 

It is my sincere hope that all who violate the Aquarium's rules pay a heavy price. The aquarium is there for the education and enjoyment of

the public, and not to serve the whims of those who could not care less about "the rules".

Carl, I really didn't think most of the above were trying to sneak something, rather simply trying to find out if permission could be granted.

 

Hand held nowdays, even at 3200 can be fairly decent, and I got shots years ago in Museums in Europe with even moderate speed slide films--art museums usually try to strike a balance between conservation and human sight.

 

Acquaria and zoos also differ, but most don't restrict hand held, and the best times anyway are when the places are not so crowded -- if there is such ;)<div></div>

Never mind monopods, you are not allowed to take camera onto the glass observation deck Skywalk in the Grand

Canyon South West rim, in the Hualapaii Indian tribe reservation.

 

You need to pay for the "Trespasser's Permit" to enter the reservation, so, you become a kind of criminal by the

intention of tresspassing activity.

 

Then you pay entry fee to the glass deck or you need one of more packages, all for the pleasure of seeing better the

Grand Canyon beauty, and opportunity not to be pre-occupied by any photo equipment, like cameras, monopods,

etc. Pure pleasure of relaxation. Make sure you thank the Indians for the opportunity

not to use your photo gear.

There are many things that many of us are not allowed to do. I suggest that we get over it, and there are countless places

from which to both view and shoot the Grand Canyon, aside from the Skywalk.