Hi all,
I read here that the ride ops are strict about anything carried onto MF. I do read however of people taking pictures before they get on,etc. Now, if they see me with one of those disposable cameras putting it into my pocket before I get on,are they going to kick me off or not let me ride? No,I'm not going to take pictures during the ride, losing a camera at 90 could be fatal for me or someone else. I just want to take a few of my wife and I either in line, or just getting into the station.
This is a Cedar Fair park, not a Busch park...
The real issue is that your camera must be secured. The rule is that you can't take pictures on the ride, but mechanically the camera is no different from any other carry on item.
I personally have some disagreements with the mechanics of how their policy works (namely that my 8mm camera was safer strapped to my hand than in my waist pack) but in general I have not had any difficulty *carrying* my (secured, put away, concealed) camera gear on any CP ride. I have had ride ops remind me that I had to put the camera away before riding (I sometimes shoot on the platform) and I have not bothered to even attempt to shoot on board any CP coaster since 1981.
One exception: I have had some disagreements with Magnum queue-entrance guards regarding my 35mm SLR (Pentax K-1000) because of its lens...but once past that point, it has never been a problem actually on-board the ride. My SLR rides in the open, not in a bag.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
I had my video camera out on the platform of Magnum a few years ago, and was told that I could not take the camera on the ride regardless of whether I had a bag to put it in or not. My camera is very small and I have a fanny pack that it fits into and it is not obtrusive in any way, however the ride ops would not not let me take it on the ride. So I think that this depends on how dictatorial the staff feels that day. I had no problems with the other coasters that day, But the Magnum Girls weren't having any of it.
CWD
They let youtake your K1000 on? I have one and the person on Gemini almost fell off the platform when they saw me with it.
On Fox 8 this morning a lady from a TV channel had a $2000 olympus digital camera that she dropped going down the hill,needless to say she was holding a pile of circuit boards and broken plastic. Anyone else see that?
I'm just taking a disposable Fuji in my pocket so I should be fine.
Oh MAN that would suck.
I would never try using my digital camera on a ride. I even have an older camera that I can replace fairly inexpensively (*relatively speaking*, anyway -- I have an Olympus D-340L, nearest equivalent now would be the 340R or 360L, which are in the $250-$300 range)
-------------
--Greg
http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/
So that's what that pile of silicon was!
Hey... the rules are you can't have it on the ride, so don't try. If I see you try to take photos on the ride I'll turn you in. Safety is no accident. Getting nailed by a bug on this ride hurts enough, I'm not going to come off the ride looking like Fabio.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 22
I saw one of the Intamin guys giving the camera to the reporter.
-------------
daniel j. haverlock
'00 Magnum Count: 010
'00 M. Force Count:041
spiritofthepoint.com
...You have not seen the harness I carry my K-1000 on, I take it...once I clip the snugger strap to the eye bolt in the tripod socket, that camera is going *nowhere*. That said, I don't often carry that camera around at CP; it's too big and heavy.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
It isn't you I'd be worried about, Dave, but you know, there has to be uniformity in enForcement.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 22
Jeff-You don't mean you're worried about me do you? I don't want to give you the wrong impression, I just asked an honest question about it being in my pocket. I'm a semi pro photographer and all but I'm not stupid.
Even though my friend has full fide videos of all of the coasters from the front car(and I watched the tape again tonight probably for the 120th time). I have wised up to the risks and potential problems involved, namely being ejected from the park. Sure would have liked to have added MF to the collection though;)
-------------
You can fool others, but nothing you do is hidden from God.
JESUS rules :) :)
I've got to agree with Jeff here. I know people around here are smart, but if the general public sees someone with a camera and starts thinking "well, if'n HE cin do it, so cin we..." then the troubles start.
My camera will be safely tucked away into my belt bag, or one of the velcro'ed pockets on my cargo shorts. :-)
-------------
--Greg
http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/
Mine too. Another thing-for all of us season pass holders-they can revoke your pass and never allow one again plus I think that using a camera would fall under that Ohio Revised Code they have posted all over the park about unsafe conduct on a ride which could lead to arrest! Not quite worth it...
Careful...a quick look at this discussion reveals that nobody (well, except for Bryan, but he indicated that he's reformed) has said anything about taking pictures on the ride. The issue is *carrying* camera gear, which, when done right, is not a problem. Put the camera away, and there should be no trouble. My comment on my K1000 was merely an observation that I don't have a bag for it, and when I tie it down, it is secure (and darned near impossible to operate anyway). I don't anticipate using that thing much this season anyway.
I think we all know and understand the park's restrictions. Most of us have watched as photographers...even professional photographers...did really stupid things on coasters, which makes CP's policy at least understandable. I anticipate that on Millennium Force, indeed, the rule should be no different for a camera than for any other carry-on. If you can stash it in such a way that it is secure in accordance with the ride's standards, there should be no problem.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Isn't there a on-coaster photo on this site? :)
http://www.guidetothepoint.com/thepoint/gallery/img.asp?img=cp98bson.jpg&des=A+view+from+the+front+seat.
-------------
Cedar Point Virtual Midway
Now coming May 22
http://www.schmidty.com
That was what I was mainly asking about-the rides rules. I assume if it is in a pocket that I am ok. I just didn't want people having the impression that I am going to try this or something.