Cameras?

I'd like to bring my digital SLR to the park, can I take it on all the rides? I'm not comfortable leaving it while we are on the rides.

Emily

So long as you don't use it and its inside a cargo or zippered pocket you can bring it on the ride.

Edit-I didn't realize this was a mother camera, so my advise may not be useful for you. *** Edited 10/9/2007 2:09:59 AM UTC by Touchdown***

No. Picture taking on rides is strictly prohibited, and so are loose articles. So you would have to leave it in a bin (on the rides that have bins) or in a locker or with a non rider.

Edit: I doubt many people have cargo pockets large enough to hold a digital SLR, but if you do, more power to you.

*** Edited 10/9/2007 2:07:31 AM UTC by Ralph Wiggum***

Here's the exact word out of an employee's mouth: All loose articles must be put in a cargo pocket or secured with a strap. A cargo pocket is anything that zips, velcros or buttons up. If you don't have a cargo pocket it must be left in the station or with a non-rider.

BTW No I am not an employee but that is an exact quote from last time I was there.

I don't want to take photos on the rides....but I have a relatively small camera bag (the size of the camera), that I would keep wrapped around my body while on the rides. I could even wear it around my body under a sweatshirt? Would that be allowed?

Emily

Unless it's in a cargo-pocket, cameras must be placed into the bins, locker, or with a non rider. No exceptions. CP is very strict on this rule on all rides. If a ride host finds that you have a camera, cell phone, or other loose article out on the ride, they will stop the ride and have you put it away. Ohio laws requires CP to take these actions.

Does it have a belt loop on the back of the case? If so, you can attach it to your belt and they can't say anything then. It's secured to your body.

Or wear it like a fanny pack, put the strap around your waist and tighten it. Right Adam ;)

*** Edited 10/9/2007 4:25:35 AM UTC by Loopy***

Regardless of the fact that picture taking is prohibited on most rides and attractions, I would highly advise against taking your digital SLR on most of them.

Thanks everyone! I have a little film camera I'll take instead!

Emily

You could also put it in a locker. You'd have a key and it would be locked up and safe.

My two cents:

You didn't say what camera you have, but being a digital SLR makes it one thing...not cheap. I wouldn't recommend taking it on any ride. Leave it with a family member or friend while you ride. If that isn't an option, I agree with the above post...the lockers are there for that reason.

Here's what I do...I love taking pics at CP, so I'll take my Canon EOS 30D with me, but it doesn't go on the rides or in the queues (I won't leave it in a bin!) My girlfriends Sony Cybershot works fine for pictures from the lines and its easier to store in the cargo shorts during the ride...not to mention a lot cheaper to replace if something were to happen.

Do they no longer allow SLRs to be secured using the "neckstrap over one shoulder and under the opposite arm" trick that I used for many years? That, or in later years I had a camera harness that got the strap off my neck and, by means of an eye bolt in the tripod socket, allowed me to tie the camera down at three points. My rig was homebrew, but not entirely unlike this unit.

Using one or the other of those methods, my Pentax K-1000 35mm SLR has been on just about every ride in the park that existed prior to 2000 (when I started carrying really tiny video gear instead).

It used to be that the rule was that you (a) couldn't have loose stuff on the ride (secured cameras are clearly not "loose"), and (b) you couldn't take pictures while riding.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

RideMan said:
Do they no longer allow SLRs to be secured using the "neckstrap over one shoulder and under the opposite arm" trick that I used for many years?

That would seem like a logical thing to do, but CP won't have that liability if you decide to put your hands up during the course of the ride.

....speaking of taking pictures at CP....

Didn't CP used to have the "Kodak Photo Spots" marked on the map and with little wood signs. If I remember, there was one near WWL. These were supposed to be good places to get pictures. Just a random memory.

Anyone else remember these?

I've seen the locations marked on the map, but never had an opportunity to see one of the spots in person.

There was one by Iron Dragon. If you are walking torward ID you would go right towards TTD. After Coasters on your left side was one and it was perfect to get a shot of ID as a train would go through the "tail." It worked well but is no longer there.

I have a pic that I took from that location. I'll see if I can link it for you.

Edit: Here you go. http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1/bobert9/Picture016.jpg
*** Edited 10/15/2007 6:47:39 PM UTC by Coastern3rd***

I just deleted a page and a half full of adolescent bickering, much of it conducted by adults.

If I keep seeing it, and it's the same people, we're going to show you the door. I'm tired of it.