Originally Posted by
bocastephen
I read up on this - while the rule says no photography, and sometimes a guard will run over and yell "no photos!" there is plenty of evidence that suggests the rule is rarely enforced unless you're trying to setup equipment or standing and framing a shot, or using a flash...just quietly pointing a small camera or phone and snapping a shot might go unnoticed...I guess we will see when I get there
Snapping a quick shot from your phone may go unnoticed but your interest in visiting when there is "the best light photos" suggests something more than that.
As for the necropolis photos - its actually a very different situation. The photo issue in the Sistine is not the result of the "sanctity" of the space. Rather it is based on very real financial/licensing issues. Only certain entities have permission to photograph the space and then sell those photographs. There is not the same sort of re-sale/copyright issue surrounding the necropolis.