The clearest official rule cited was from the London 2012 prohibited/restricted items list: large photographic or broadcast equipment over 30 cm in length was not allowed, including tripods and monopods. Commercial photography also required media accreditation.

Community reports also mention guidance that cameras, including DSLRs, were allowed if the equipment fit in a bag no bigger than 30 × 20 × 20 cm. In practice, enforcement may have varied by security staff, and at least one attendee reported a lens being refused based on misunderstanding or inconsistent interpretation.

So the safest summary is: spectators could generally bring normal cameras, but no tripods/monopods, no commercial shooting without accreditation, and any camera/lens setup longer than 30 cm risked being denied entry. If relying on past-event venue rules, always check the official prohibited items list for that specific event, because bag-size and equipment-length policies can both apply.