Camera & Lens Hire companies ?

Jase · 18 Oct 2014 at 10:17

I'm in the process of planning for an Iceland trip but I know that I need to have 2 cameras with me and at the moment I only have one Nikon D800.. I'm considering my options or buying a 2nd Camera or renting one for the trip.

Can anyone recommend a good rental company with reasonable prices for a week hire ?

Amp34 · 18 Oct 2014 at 12:54

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk

Run by a guy called StewartR on Talkphotography. I haven't used the but they get a lot of good comments over there. It would be my first port of call.

Alternatively have you looked in to buying one used? If you can get one in a private sale (such as forum classifieds) you should be able to sell it when you get back for about the same price. Rental for the price of postage...

Jase · 18 Oct 2014 at 13:41

Amp34 said:
http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk

Run by a guy called StewartR on Talkphotography. I haven't used the but they get a lot of good comments over there. It would be my first port of call.

Alternatively have you looked in to buying one used? If you can get one in a private sale (such as forum classifieds) you should be able to sell it when you get back for about the same price. Rental for the price of postage...

Thanks the prices look good, I had considered the buying and selling option but it's probably too much hastle, saying that I have some time to spare so I'll keep a look out for a bargain

Their lens hire prices seem OK to so I'll give them with that first.

I'm going to buy another camera at some stage anyway but it will either be a D810 or a D4S if I can justify it to myself

Bones · 23 Oct 2014 at 12:34

I used Lensesforhire recently, rented a 17-55 2.8 and was really happy with the service. Went and collected it and had a good chat with one of the chaps who dropped it off to me.

Above&Beyond · 23 Oct 2014 at 13:08

Lenspimp is worth a look.

D.P. · 23 Oct 2014 at 14:06

For longer rentals (more than a few days really) it definitely works out cheaper to buy and sell second hand, this comes at the cost of time, effort and a small amount of risk (e.g. you buy a camera that has a fault but you don't have time to fix).

Vertigo · 23 Oct 2014 at 14:19

Can recommend LensForHire too, have used them twice with no issues at all.

One thing I would say is that renting bodies seems to be very expensive. If it's for a longer period such as a holiday, you might be better off buying one and then selling it on afterward.

DBT85 · 23 Oct 2014 at 14:20

D.P. said:
For longer rentals (more than a few days really) it definitely works out cheaper to buy and sell second hand, this comes at the cost of time, effort and a small amount of risk (e.g. you buy a camera that has a fault but you don't have time to fix).

Many many years ago my parents bought an airbed from Argos at the last minute before they went camping. A week later they took it back for a full refund.

Danthus · 23 Oct 2014 at 15:36

Another vote for Lenses For Hire, exceptional service.

Vertigo · 23 Oct 2014 at 15:36

DBT85 said:
Many many years ago my parents bought an airbed from Argos at the last minute before they went camping. A week later they took it back for a full refund.

Above&Beyond · 23 Oct 2014 at 16:14

Why do you need 2 bodies?

ReCoN1989 · 23 Oct 2014 at 17:02

I have used lenses for hire a few times, as someone pointed out they receive a lot of praise over on talk photography. However depending on the length of your trip and the likeliness off you renting the same body again I would look into buying a second hand body. You can then sell this upon your return.

I was going to rent a lens to take to Kenya with me to shoot some wildlife, As I was out there for over a month I ended up buying one second hand lens. Even if I sold it now (3 years on and used countless times) I doubt it would have cost me more than £250 in terms of lost value. I expect total rental costs over this time would have exceeded the cost of the lens.

Lord-Jaffa · 23 Oct 2014 at 17:15

I used Lensesforhire and the day before I was due for delivery (24-70 Canon) they called to say it was unavailable.

Not great, but seems i'm in the minority with a bad experience.

D.P. · 23 Oct 2014 at 18:14

Above&Beyond said:
Why do you need 2 bodies?

If you are a nature photographer and you don't mind the weight then it is great to have you big telephoto on 1 camera and a wider lens for landscape work on the other. When you go out hiking you are always ready with the telephoto lens just in case but with minimal fuss you can shoot landscape.

Personally the cost and weight is off-putting. I go out with my biggest lens on and a ultra wide + 70-700 in the bag for landscape work. Constantly swapping is a pain but it does make you think much more about the landscape shot before swapping over.

Above&Beyond · 23 Oct 2014 at 18:50

The landscape isn't going anywhere and you can change lenses in seconds if need be. Seems like a waste of money and effort to me lugging about 2 bodies when you could spend that money on better glass. What glass are you taking into the field?

D.P. · 23 Oct 2014 at 18:56

Above&Beyond said:
The landscape isn't going anywhere and you can change lenses in seconds if need be. Seems like a waste of money and effort to me lugging about 2 bodies when you could spend that money on better glass. What glass are you taking into the field?

That is why I only have 1 camera and find the D800 a great single camera solution. With a 24MP FF sensor I would likely want to take a D7100 or so with me so i don't loose subject detail.

Mattewes · 23 Oct 2014 at 19:59

I've used lenses for hire a few times and they are great, really easy to get the lens to you and back to them.

Even had a phone call from them to confirm the order, not strictly necessary in the days of email confirmations, but still a nice touch.

Would definitely use them again. Just wish they had the Sigma 35mm 1.4 instead of the Canon....