Comments on: San Francisco Muni Issues Photo Policy

By: Lance

Lance — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:01:00 +0000

I can see these SFMTA rules being used to stop photography where you are anywhere near people or machines, that pretty much covers everything but a shot of an empty building. — All anyone has to do is look at government’s recent attitude change towards photographers, to see the beginnings of institutional Facism in America.

But that said, for situations like this I have started using a Canon S90. It looks like a consumer camera but has full manual control and makes good raw files to ISO 1600, so it might work like a DSLR if it’s not too dark. Of course I would prefer my Nikon D3S and 35mm prime, but even with that small lens it draws attention. Another thing I do is put flat black tape over the big white Nikon logo and model number (peel-off black lettering seems to work best for this, not electric tape), and I don’t use a logo strap, just a plain, thin black one like the Upstrap. I think this all helps to reduce the “scary” professional look and doesn’t say “steal me” quite so much.

By: bj

bj — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:41:19 +0000

“• Photography or videography activities cannot interfere with the safe operation of any Muni vehicle as determined by the vehicle’s Operator or other SFMTA personnel.”

Well that gives them the authority to stop you for any reason what so ever – and I don’t see anyone winning an argument about safety.

By: parkylondon

parkylondon — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:19:05 +0000

How long until one of the Muni goons interprets “large camera” to mean a DSLR with (sharp intake of breath) a decent lens on it?