Olympic ban on procams in muddle

With the opening of the Olympics less than a week away, there still seems to be a muddle over whether or not tourists rich enough to afford a trip to China can bring expensive digital cameras into game venues. According to rules adopted in April, professional camera equipment will not be allowed into the Olympic Green. While that rule remains posted on the Internet, however, the Olympic Committee is conveniently omitting from signs at the event any mention of the ban. Zach Honig, reporting from Beijing for Popphoto.com, observed in a dispatch today, "While still listed on BOCOG's Website as banned from the Olympic venues, professional photography equipment is not present on the list of prohibited items outside security checkpoints." Nevertheless, uncertainty surrounds the issue. "I don't think we'll be certain whether or not SLR cameras are allowed until spectators try using them at venues," Honig noted.