Buying v. Renting??

[annnewjerz]

For all of you who have rented lenses, I wanted to get some advice.

Ideally, for our trip to WDW I'd like to have the Sigma 30 1.4 and either a fisheye or wide angle lens to play with. Since I can't afford both this year, I'm considering renting them both for two weeks.

Would you A. buy the Sigma and skip out on renting the others or B. rent them and buy none.

Unless you're renting a pro grade super expensive lens that I can't afford to buy anytime soon...I guess I'm just having trouble seeing the advantage of renting a lens. Chances are I'll love whatever ones I rent and have to return them and then if I want to buy them later---I'll already be down $100 from the rental.

KWIM??

 

[Quicklabs]

I vote for buying the Sigma.
Next trip, buy the wide angle.
Always happy to help you spend your $$. LOL!

 

[bnorm27]

What if you bought it, and didn't like it? It's nice to be able to try the lenses out prior to purchasing IMO. In some cases, you can buy the used lens from the rental company, and they would deduct a portion of your rental fee from the price.

 

[YesDear]

Hey now you are sounding like me. I am the one that keeps telling her to spend her money!!!!!

My suggestion is between now and then rent the ones you want for the weekend and play with them. I have had lenses that I thought I just had to have then when I got them, I really did not use or like. Play then pay if it is really what you want.

 

[wenrob]

This was my first thought...

I vote for buying the Sigma.
Next trip, buy the wide angle.
Always happy to help you spend your $$. LOL!

and this was my second.

Hey now you are sounding like me. I am the one that keeps telling her to spend her money!!!!!

My suggestion is between now and then rent the ones you want for the weekend and play with them. I have had lenses that I thought I just had to have then when I got them, I really did not use or like. Play then pay if it is really what you want.

As much as I'm for buying new toys I think renting each for a day or two to get a feel for them and then making your decision is the smartest choice.

 

[boBQuincy]

I would rent them for a week or two. Yes, it's money kind of wasted but as mentioned, it can show that you really don't use one that you thought you would use a lot.

I use my 50 only rarely and want a 30 but doubt I would get much use from it. My 10-22 gets a *lot* of use although I thought it wouldn't. DW and I share it, one of the joys of being a two Canon (actually a 6 Canon) family!

 

[annnewjerz]

Very good tips from all. John...you'd better watch your back, it looks like Laura is going to give you a run for your money as my go-to person when I need someone to convince me to buy something.

Wen, I hate to say it...but that didn't help at all. First you think to buy it, then you say to rent it...you remind me of me, completely indecisive

Bob, I know what you mean...I bought the Nikon 60mm micro lens and have used it some, but not as much as I expected. Hopefully that'll change with the weather and I'll really be able to put it to good use.

I guess I'll have to suck up the shipping and rent first. That's really the only thing stopping me at this point. If there is one thing in life I really hate---it's paying for shipping. I do see how it will probably end up being the best idea though. If I get it for a week and only spend $60 on it, at least I won't be wasting $500 in the long run on a lens I purchase and end up taking out once every two years.

As usual, thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks guys.

 

[jann1033]

yeah the renting is a good idea but it would kill me to do it since i would then think..."i could have added $$ and had the lens".."cheap cheap cheap", & that's not a bird singing either
i did feel that way about my fisheye, love the look it gives but just didn't use it much but now i am using it more and it's a really good lens so i figure i am still glad i bought it , just probably would have bought something else at the time

 

[bnorm27]

One of the rental places is right down the road from WDW in Celebration. I believe you can pick up from them. Now I just have to remember which one it was!

UPDATE: rentglass.com is located in Celebration, FL, and has local pick up. That should solve your shipping $$$$ dilemma.

 

[dragonstarr]

I guess it also depends where you are financially. Of course it makes sense to rent a 70-200 2.8, as $100 is better than laying out $1700 for a lens you may not get to use everyday. I think that if you don't need it specifically for a trip, rent it for a few days just to make sure that you like it. Sure you can buy it and return it but renting is so much less of a hassle.

 

[annnewjerz]

One of the rental places is right down the road from WDW in Celebration. I believe you can pick up from them. Now I just have to remember which one it was!

UPDATE: rentglass.com is located in Celebration, FL, and has local pick up. That should solve your shipping $$$$ dilemma.

Unfortunately, it doesn't solve my cheapness dilemma. We don't rent a car while we're in the world, and I would also like to have the lenses ahead of time to test them our and learn how to use them before going to WDW. I'll definitely keep that in mind though because rentglass.com is one of the ones I have been looking at.

 

[kaffinito]

Unfortunately, it doesn't solve my cheapness dilemma. We don't rent a car while we're in the world, and I would also like to have the lenses ahead of time to test them our and learn how to use them before going to WDW. I'll definitely keep that in mind though because rentglass.com is one of the ones I have been looking at.

But if you use a towncar service instead of Magical Express then they can take you to the rental place before going to WDW. Instead of groceries you'll get glass!

 

[fitzperry]

You could buy both and then sell the one you find you use less. Or if you love both, find a way to rationalize keeping them.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Just go ahead and buy the Sigma, we all know that you really want this lens! You won't be satisified until you do.

For me, I would buy the lens that I would use the most. While the fisheye lens is neat, would you really use it that much when you're not at Disney.

I want that lens also, but I can't buy everything at once. My next purchase is a new camera bag, then a new lens, the who knows what. I'll have to think about this for a minute.

 

[Quicklabs]

All I can say is that I was really glad I had my dirty thirty with me at Disney. Great for rides, parade shots, nighttime pix.
Like Oogieboogieman says, we know you want that lens bad! LOL There's no way you're not going to like it.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Whatever you do don't look at the KEH website under Nikon Digital. There's a 30mm for $349.00. Don't even look! Don't even think about it! Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[annnewjerz]

Whatever you do don't look at the KEH website under Nikon Digital. There's a 30mm for $349.00. Don't even look! Don't even think about it! Sorry, couldn't resist.

That's just mean. I only see the Sigma 30's pop up every few months on there used and with the price having recently increased...that is SO TEMPTING. I will not look---I will NOT.


And Laura---you're right. I know I'll love it. Maybe I can work soooooomething out where I buy the Sigma and rent a fun lens for WDW---I mean it would only be an extra $75 or so, right??