Has Anyone Used a 70-200 lens in Moscow?

<p>I would like to know whether the police or militia will give me a hard time if I am photographing in the Kremlin or in the streets of Moscow with a Nikon D700 and a 70-200 lens. Will they label me as a "pro" photographer and demand that I have a pro permit? (I am not planning to photograph government buildings or policemen.)</p>

<p>Marvin:</p>

<p>We went to Moscow in 2005 on our way to Tomsk. At that time it was good to have a pocket digital along with our Leicas. My girlfriend used a 135 mm on her M6 and it did attract "attention". We went back in 2008 and times had changed in Moscow. We were on our way to Krasnoyarsk. The gypsies had been removed from Red Square, the McDonalds 200 meters from the Kremlin was packed, mostly with military because that was all they could afford.</p>

<p>Check out <a href="http://www.vistablackandwhiteoftaos.com">www.vistablackandwhiteoftaos.com</a> and please go see the Skater across the tiver from the end of the Arbat. e-mail me for more info!</p>

<p>Gordon</p>

<p>Well, it's an interesting question. Until recently, there were limitations for using pro equipment in some parts of Moscow including Red Square and Kremlin. And the pro equipment was defined by its size - greater than: length 26cm, height 14cm, lens diameter 7cm. Fortunately, the rules have been changed recently, last month. You should have no problems using no additional light and army of assistants. But who knows?</p>

<p>just watch for the guys from KGB,they are all over the place</p>