No fireworks pictures — Professional cameras prohibited

Attending the 4th of July concert and fireworks show last night at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA, I was denied entrance because my Nikon D3 was deemed a professional camera. I was forced to return to my car and go camera-less. An infuriating experience to be sure. Would a Nikon D700 or D60 have passed muster? I don’t know, but I don’t like the trend. Why isn’t there a full-frame rangefinder from Nikon with the D3 sensor?! It would look like a point and shoot.

Update: Shoreline Amphitheater is a private venue, and as far as I know, owners of private property (even for public events) have the right to place conditions on entry eg prohibiting professional cameras.