Odd
When i was there everyone was taking photos I have a few myself.
( Terry Oblong There's nobody here but us chickens on, Fri 2 Sep 2011, 12:17, 2 replies)

This was 12 or 13 years ago now
if that helps. As mentioned above, the Vatican itself is quite good about photos and arty types sitting about sketching/painting, it's just the Sistine chapel (or at least was a decade ago) that doesn't allow it.
( more balanced than jeremy beadle It wasn't me..., Fri 2 Sep 2011, 13:02, closed)

Everyone was taking photos when I was there too
But they're not supposed to be, and security guards were asking them to desist if they were being too blatant, and particularly if their equipment looked too professional. I was there seven years ago but it's still not allowed today. Perhaps you just missed the signs, easy enough if it was very busy I suppose.

Incidentally, apparently the reason for this is that a Japanese television company funded the restoration of the frescoes in return for photography and filming rights.
(richardm, Fri 2 Sep 2011, 14:09, closed)