Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

mchong75 · **Texas State Fair -** 09-14-2010, 09:32 AM

State Fair Of Texas

Texas State Fair website's F&Q's doesn't answer if you can or can't.

Can you bring a tripod?

MicWayWal · 09-15-2010, 12:25 AM

Michael,

I have had the same question. I know there is no limit to what you may carry in camera wise but I did not know about the tripod.
I have a good contact in the Fair Park office. I will contact her to see what restrictions there may be.

Michael

chenology · 09-15-2010, 02:40 AM

I don't see why not as long as you're not blocking walk ways.. good idea to double check

dlanter · 09-15-2010, 05:37 AM

2 years ago I took my tripod to the fair and had no problems. Security watched me a couple of times when I was setting up but I just made sure to stay out of the way. My backpack was searched entering the park but no problems once inside.

mchong75 · 09-15-2010, 09:23 AM

Cool. Thank you

I want to take long exposure (10 stop ND) during day time and long exposure for night time so a tripod is a must.

MicWayWal · 09-15-2010, 11:46 AM

I emailed the people for the State Fair, and officially you can only take in personal cameras but no tripods. No 'professional equipment' or a tripod is allowed. But I have taken in my pro gear many many times over the years and never been refused. They searched it completely but they let me in. I did not try to get in a tripod.

I am sure like Dan you can manage to slip one in. I have taken in a 9 inch lens to the Cowboys Stadium when officially you can not take in anything longer than 3 inches. But I begged and persisted until they let me in. So you can get it done. If I wanted to go in with a tripod, I would try and get one that would collapse down to get in my pack. If they did not let me in I would go back to my car, then go to another gate and try another entrance and try this until I was able to get in.

Good luck.

chenology · 09-15-2010, 01:11 PM

I've taken my 'professional gear' in every year with no problems.. never tried with a tripod though.. perhaps with this...... Manfrotto 682B Self Standing Monopod (Black) 682B - B&H Photo :p

bigv616 · 09-15-2010, 01:38 PM

shouldn't be a problem, I brought mine in two years ago.

MicWayWal · 09-15-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigv616

shouldn't be a problem, I brought mine in two years ago.

How big is your tripod full height and when collapsed?

MicWayWal · 09-15-2010, 02:30 PM

I know this is not the right forum but has anyone used a bean bag for 'tripod-like' support?

If you have what did you use? I have several Canons with the vertical grip so it might take two or three bean bags to make it work. Any suggestions?

Darkman · 09-15-2010, 04:26 PM

I had my Slik slung on the bottom of my camera bag last year. No issues.

bigv616 · 09-17-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

How big is your tripod full height and when collapsed?

it is Manfrotto 3001BD, not a small one.

DEMDeepEllumMusic · 09-17-2010, 03:45 PM

I've never drug my tripod around all day at the Fair but I have seen a couple out there. If I needed to take a long exposure I usually could find something to set the camera on and along with a couple handkerchiefs I could set up my shot.

I do know that you can not use a tripod in the Hall of State but have not seen any restrictions elsewhere on the fairgrounds as long as you don't impede traffic (people flow). Not sure about the old aquarium or the African Art Museum (actually was told by an old bat at the AAM that no cameras were allowed which was not true (not sure about now)-just no flash).

So if the people at the gate give you a hastle just try another entrance, I usually go a couple time a year now and have had no problems at all other than their looking at the stuff-I guess to make sure that you don't bring a weapon onto the Fair Grounds.

Dobick · 10-01-2010, 12:08 PM

you could just take a manfrotto superclamp with tripod head attachment. That will fit in many camera bags and you can always find something to clamp it to.

Joe_Lorenzini · 10-01-2010, 01:51 PM

I brought a tripod and was asked by security to not use it in public walkways. It's not that it was restricted but more of a liability issue. They said if someone tripped over my tripod, they could be made responsible for injuries.

The guy was nice about it and I thought it reasonable enough to stay out of the way. This was a few years back and we all know it takes one rude SOB to ruin it for the rest of us so not sure if it's still the same way this year.

Joe