Does anybody know the rules regarding cameras at the Uffizi and/or Accademia? I will be taking the train up for the day from Tuscany and would like to bring my camera but don't want it to not allow me to go in the museums. If not allowed, do they have a secure place to check my camera bag?
Thanks, Dan
We were there a week ago. No restriction on bringing in camera at either place. However, the Borghese in Rome won't even allow my small purse.
Odd, that many museums will make you check your daypacks and things but not your camera. If photos are not permitted, it will be posted. Still people do it anyway. Try and take any pictures of the David and you will be nearly tackled. It is not permitted. We saw a person snap a quick picture and he was immediately grabbed by two security people.
Obviously, I would NEVER break the rules :-P but theoretically, how hard would it be to get a shot of the David with a zoomed in telephoto or something, from much further back in the hall? No flash. Haha.
Would such a rule breaking psychopath be tackled and dragged out screaming?
You can take your camera into both museums but are not permitted to take pictures. The security must be growing lax as three weeks ago people were snapping away with only the occasional chiding from the guard who remained seated.
As everyone else here has posted, you are not required to check your cameras at either museum, but photos aren't allowed.
That being said, at least for the Accademia when I was there 3 weeks ago, though there are numerous monitors (all small women, so "security guards" seems incorrect), I was able to get 15-20 shots of David. I tried to be inconspicuous, but did get told "No Photo" 3 or 4 times.
Other than taking a couple shots of the Ponte Vecchio in the Uffizi, I didn't even try taking photos this time around.
We were able to get one great shot of David, and one of each of the "Prisoners" before being told No Photo.
Ben, trying for a great and silent telephoto picture could work except for one thing - all of the people standing around David. It's really something. We had the same problem recently trying to take a picture of Abe Lincoln and the Lincoln Memorial all by himself. And there, you can take pictures. Every tourist wanted a picture of them with Lincoln. We had to wait 30 minutes before we got a quick picture. Hope you have better luck with David.
Thanks to everyone for their replies. They have answered all my questions.
Dan
this is good to know I was wondering this myself.
Is the no pictures of David rule new. I was there 10 years ago and have several photos. I don't remember trying to hide that I was snapping shots.
We're going again this Fall. Sad to learn that I might not be able to take photos. (The old ones were not digital.)
Hi - You can take your camera in. I was just there in May. You go through a security point and they X-ray your bags what you'll be fine. If you do try to take pictures just be sneaky about it. It was so crowded when I was there (plus only about 2 security guards) so they couldn't do much to stop it. I just used my smaller camera and turned off the flash to take a picture. The people that did get caught they just said no pictures. They didn't try to kick anyone out.
I say risk it. It's not every day you see the David! :-)
A lot of people take pics of David with their cell phone cameras. It was actually funny to watch everyone attempting to be discreet about it and avoiding the women guards.
3 weeks ago it seemed every church or museum we went to we were being told "no photo" buy security coming directly up to us. Our guide at the Vatican said that whatever company does the restorations of artwork or buildings they are given the rights and have authority to set photography restrictions. Don't know if this is true though.
