Lens hire

Drollic · 29 Jun 2018 at 17:54

Any online recommendations for lens hire? Anything to watch out for? Can firmware be upgraded? Looking for a fuji 35mm 1.4 for a week.

Jase · 30 Jun 2018 at 12:48

lensesforhire are pretty good.

Schizo · 30 Jun 2018 at 19:53

Jase said:
lensesforhire are pretty good.

I was just looking at them, deposit is high but they have to cover themselves.

Was looking at hiring a canon L 16-35 for my holiday.

Jase · 30 Jun 2018 at 23:45

Schizo said:
I was just looking at them, deposit is high but they have to cover themselves.

Was looking at hiring a canon L 16-35 for my holiday.

I don't think they usually charge a deposit unless you look dodgy

From their FAQS:

Do you charge a deposit?
Generally no. We trust you to look after our gear. Please help us to maintain this policy by repaying our trust. If we can't satisfy ourselves that a customer is genuine, or if the transaction looks unusually risky for other reasons, then we may ask for a deposit. (That's why we ask so many questions.) There are a number of situations in which we will routinely ask for a deposit though:

If you live outside the UK.
If you’re a foreign visitor to the UK.
If you want us to deliver a lens outside the UK.
If you want us to deliver the lens to an insecure location such as a hotel where you’re staying.

Schizo · 1 Jul 2018 at 06:29

I was on the site yesterday but couldn't check out because of the deposit.

I'll try it again

Steeps · 1 Jul 2018 at 09:58

I've never had to pay a deposit for LFH, only used them for really short hires. If I'm planning to use something for more than a week I found it easier to buy the lens second hand then sell on again... then forget to sell it on.

Schizo · 1 Jul 2018 at 10:07

Steeps said:
I've never had to pay a deposit for LFH, only used them for really short hires. If I'm planning to use something for more than a week I found it easier to buy the lens second hand then sell on again... then forget to sell it on.

I was thinking this as well,the money you pay out for the hire can be used for a used lens,might have to sit down and have a think about the 16-35 as I'm 99% sure I want this lens.

robfosters · 1 Jul 2018 at 10:28

Schizo said:
I was thinking this as well,the money you pay out for the hire can be used for a used lens,might have to sit down and have a think about the 16-35 as I'm 99% sure I want this lens.

The II or III?

Schizo · 1 Jul 2018 at 14:29

robfosters said:
The II or III?

Probably the 2.

D.P. · 2 Jul 2018 at 07:46

That has been my experience, bu the lens second hand and sell it on again, i.e. keep it.

divuk83 · 2 Jul 2018 at 22:11

Has anyone had any experience with Fat Llama? Looks interesting and is cheap, though there isn't much near me worth having. If I lived in London it would be a different story...

Dave

Steeps · 3 Jul 2018 at 10:34

Fat Llama is p2p so it's as good as the people you're borrowing from. I have been tempted to list some items but as I don't live in a large town/city it all looks a bit inconvenient trying to arrange meetups.

413x · 13 Jul 2018 at 12:23

I looked at lens hire once and once only.
Also figured it was better to buy and sell on. (you might even gain)

Then, didn't sell on!

Schizo · 14 Jul 2018 at 01:00

413x said:
I looked at lens hire once and once only.
Also figured it was better to buy and sell on. (you might even gain)

Then, didn't sell on!

This is my worry

And · 14 Jul 2018 at 17:01

Never paid a deposit before at lensesforhire. Good quick service and lenses were perfect working order. Would use again. Seem to remember I got some criticism on here for hiring a lens.

Troezar · 14 Jul 2018 at 17:59

And said:
Never paid a deposit before at lensesforhire. Good quick service and lenses were perfect working order. Would use again. Seem to remember I got some criticism on here for hiring a lens.

Makes sense to hire for very occasional use or to try before spending a large amount on a new lens.