Lens Rentals

Jennifer,

I've never rented a lens, but have friends that visit and do ALL the time. If you are going to one area and staying in the same location and leaving from that same location, have the lens sent there, so that's one thing you won't worry about getting through baggage. Get the insurance. As soon as you get the rented lens, take a photo of the sky or some flat surface without details, hotel room wall and see if the lens is working and also that there are no dust bunnies inside the lens. If there are, call them and let them know and you might receive a discount from the rental place. My friend that visits, usually rents a body and half the time, the sensor has dust spots, so be aware that these rentals get used a lot and may not be perfect.

Be aware also, that if you do rent a "Super Tele" that they are quite heavy and you will be noticed by "others", so always be aware of where you store this lens and how you "hide it" when you're not using this lens.

Rich

I have not, but I know a few people that have. All good experiences. I don't recall where from though.

Look at Lens Giant. I rented 2 from them and sved a LOT of money. Their selection isn't as large as Borrowlenses, but they are a lot cheaper. I reserved them about 9 months in advance (normally longer than most allow) and had no issues with the process or lenses.

I recommend the insurance, because you never know what can happen.

Thanks Rich. I was worried about getting a lens that had scratches on the glass. Didn't think about dust inside the lens. I didn't even know that could happen. I'm not flying on this trip so not worried about baggage handling. I'm actually driving nearby an office for lensrentals on the way so I did consider picking it up, but would have to mail it back since going back through on a weekend. I also thought I'd just have it shipped home and if there was a problem I would be able to stop by their office and hopefully get it taken care of.

Thankfully I'm a Sony shooter, so hopefully those lenses are as used as Canon or Nikon. Not as heavy as those either. I'm going to a beach, so I'm thinking I need to keep my camera raincoat on it at all times since it's a rental.

Thanks Melany - Lens Giant doesn't have lens for Sony that I saw.

I rented from a UK company. They sent the lens out and I got it the next day, used for a few days then shipped it back the same way.
Sometimes you need to pay for return shipping up front, sometimes not. Usually it is better to pay it all at once, so I recommend that to save money and convenience.

I'll be renting again from probably one of the 2 you listed above for a wedding. Had no problems renting before.

Thanks Heather. I just reserved one from Borrowlenses. I was going to go with LenRentals, but Borrowlenses was a little cheaper. Thanks everyone for the advise. I'll touch base after vacation (end of July) and let you know how my experience was with them.

I love LensRentals.com. I was able to rent an 800mm with no charge on my credit card. At BorrowLenses, they wanted to put a charge on my card for the price of the lens that would be reversed once I returned it.

Oh my Sharon. I didn't see anything like that on Borrow Lenses. They said they would only charge the rental. Maybe that's because you got an 800mm. Mine was only a 400MM. Guess I'd better triple check my paperwork.

They wanted to do that when I wanted to rent a 500mm also. My credit card didn't even have that high of a limit lol. This was a few years ago so they might have changed their policy by now, or maybe they have a certain dollar amount before they place a hold on a lens. Have a great time on your trip :)

I have rented from both with stellar service.

Thanks Andy.

Sharon - I checked again and they are only charging the rental amount. Thank goodness. Looks like they may have changed the policy. Thanks, I'm so ready to get away and get some more beach photos. Haven't been to the beach in 3 years and I've gotten a much better camera since then, so I'm excited and really excited to have my first experience with a 400mm lens.

I rented from lensrentals.com. It was a great experience and will definitely do it again in the future. It was super easy and reasonably priced too. I didn't check the Borrow Lenses prices before I went with Lens Rentals though.

Jennifer,

If you are actually picking up the lens, just go outside and shoot the blank sky and the look at the image. Also, they can create a shipping label for you, if you ask ahead of time. Generally, they are pretty generous about a week's rental and give you a day before and after, without a charge, at least to Pro's,

Rich

p.s probably won't ever have a scratch on the lens, they are pretty good about that stuff........

I was going to rent a lens a couple years ago but at the last minute decided to buy one instead. But in the meantime I had a couple conversations with the folks at borrowlens and they were super nice and accommodating. If the need arises in future, I will be sure to rent from them.

I have rented from lens rental. Very positive experience. I will rent from them in the future, if the need arises.

Rented Nikkor's 14-24mm from Borrowlenses.com couple month's ago. Very satisfied with the experience. One water spot on the lens when it arrived which came off easily.

Thank everyone.

Rich - Thanks. I ended up switching from Lens Rentals to Borrowlenses since it was cheaper so I won't be going near any of their locations. (Hope that wasn't a mistake on my part - I did like the fact that if there was something wrong, I could have just dropped by lensrentals on the way). I did look at other companies, but not many carry Sony lenses, and if they did, they didn't have the one I needed.

Kathleen - I've considered buying one, but the lens I'm renting (400MM) costs around $1700 - $2000 and it's not one I would use much so I decided to rent it instead. Both lensrentals and Borrowlenses have both been easy to deal with. Hopefully nothing happens to the lens while in my possession (like a shark attack - Going to S.C.)

Thanks everyone for the tips.

Jennifer,

You said you're shooting Sony? Ask if Sony has a 1.4 multiplier for the 400. If so, for a few bucks more, you'll have a 560 mm lens and will lose only 1 stop and most of your shooting will be in daylight, so not a big deal. A 2x will give you an 800mm lens! but costs 2 stops then, but still, hardly anyone shoots with that type of lens, stopped down to the largest aperture anyways. OR bump up the ISO and you're even!

Rich

I rented a Sigma 10-20 HSM 3.5 for my D5000 from lensrentals.com about a year ago. Rented for a couple of weeks and had no issues at all. Positive experience.

"Hopefully nothing happens to the lens while in my possession"

This kind of made me chuckle, Jennifer because you never know what will happen. When I had rented the Nikon 800mm I flipped my SUV and while hanging upside down I could think of nothing but the lens and if it survived lol. Thankfully it did! It was strapped in securely but did it come loose at some point. Now I always double secure my gear in the center of the backseat. Here's a FB pic, not sure you'll be able to see it. That's my daughter talking to our "rescuer"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=453223548137735&set=pb.100003502816144.-2207520000.1435861944.&type=3&theater

Rich, My Sony A77 has a built in magnifier for 1.4 and 2.0 that actually works pretty well when it's on a tripod. Sometimes there's a little blur without a tripod when I use the magnifier. I do plan on doing some low light shots (sunrise over a lighthouse, and the big bridge at Charleston at sunset and night).

Sharon - Oh my goodness that's awful. I'd probably do the same thing if no one else was in the car (wonder about lens). Glad you're ok. That's scary. Guess I need to start buckling in my big bag I haul everything around in.

Sharon,

Cheap lesson I guess! Usually the "driver" drives and the assistant does the looking! I was in the Smokies once and nearly run off the road by a photographer, holding a camera out his window and shooting the Fall colors as he drove. I assume he got some nice photos, but I nearly went into a ditch off to my side and down the embankment. I looked for this guy later, to "discuss" his driving habits..................

Jennifer, didn't know about that and it must be some kind of "digital" zoom, which isn't as good as the mechanical tele-converters. But if it works, great. Just test it out when you get the lens on anything, before you try it out on that "once in a lifetime shot"!,

Rich

I made it back from vacation and so far had a great experience with Borrowlenses. I shipped the lens back yesterday. As long as everything goes okay with the return I would use them again. The lens was in great condition, except for a few cosmetic scratches. I'm glad I rented the lens instead of buying. It was a fantastic lens, but those 400MM lenses get heavy when you carry them around all day.

Rich - It was definetly noticed by others. I had constant people coming up to me to look at it and ask questions. One couple asked if I wanted them to take a photo of us with it. I was like, "NO". There's no way I was going to put that in the hands of someone else. lol

Jennifer,

Glad things worked! Hope you got some great images with that lens!

NEVER hand your camera to anyone that looks like they can run faster than you!!! LOL!

Rich

I rent from Photorentalsource.com

They are local for me here in Houston and they are run by a group of awesome guys. I always buy insurance for that "just in case moment."

If you shot with Canon and join the CPS program at the paid levels you can borrow stuff for free plus shipping.

Calumet has a lot of locations, and they apply rental fees to purchases should you fall in love.

Rich - Yes, I think I did get several great shots. I'm anxious to go through them. So far I've only had time to do this one, but it wasn't from the rented lens since I was too close.
David - that would be nice to have a lens rental store nearby. Nothing near me that I'm aware of.

Adam - I'm a Sony Shooter, but I'm sure that will help out those Canon uses out there.

Nancy - Never heard of them but will have this info for next time if I decide to rent again.

Jennifer,

Great Shot!!! In 1990, I shot the predecessor of that bridge, the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, for the Architect that designed the lighting and it ended up on the cover for the November,1990 issue of Architectural Lighting.

You might contact the firm that designed this bridge and show them this image and in return, they might ask you to do other projects down the road for them,

Rich

I'll try and find my image, if you're interested

Thanks Rich. That sounds awesome. I never would have thought about that. Yes, I'd like to see your photo. I guess I just need to look up who designed it and contact them? Did you just send a low resolution sample, or should I just send them my FAA link?

Jennifer,

I would just send them an email, with the image attached. They will have thousands of images probably, but this one might catch their eye. Maybe more about licensing this image for their web site or mailers for them.

If they ask about cost, just ask them what their budget would be for an image like this and then accept it and it might lead to other opportunities down the road.

I got this bridge job, because I shot a local job, that came out pretty good, for the Construction company that built the Orange County Convention Center and the guy that designed the lighting, saw it and hired me for the bridge! Then the bridge shot, turned into a cover shot for this International magazine, "Architectural Lighting"! which led to other jobs.

I've got the image, but it's the actual cover, so I'll try and copy it and then post it here,

Rich

Jennifer,

Here's my old cover shot. Not great since it's been laminated and scratched up a bit. No idea where the film is,4x5 sheet film.

Here's my old web site and has a bunch of Architecture shots on it, if interested,

http://www.richfrancophotography.com/

Rich

If you decide to contact the builders, ask for a copy of ALL the subcontractor on the job, from the Portapotties to the cement and steel guys. Many of the smaller subs, couldn't afford the "real" photographer and might jump to be able to use this image for their web site!

Rich

The photos on your old website are fantastic! I didn't see the magazine picture.

I did send out emails to the engineer firm, a couple of the designer firms (they used more than one), and the lighting company designer they used. Thanks for the tips!

Jennifer,

Let me try this once more,



Rich