Lens Rentals

[dburg30]

I have used http://www.cameralensrentals.com a few times, and have been VERY happy. They ship the lenses in very sturdy cases. Barry is the fellow that runs that place and he's a good guy to work with. He's even bought brand new items, and shipped them to me so I would have a rental (he had it shipped from B&H to me then I returned it to him). He based out of Indiana.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I have rented from lensrentals.com and have been very happy with the service. It was flawless in every way.


Uh..... I just noticed something ... take a look at our trip tickers

How funny! Where are you staying? We're an extended family of 8 this time, so we are renting a house offsite.

I'm so torn b/c I want a walk around, but I really really want the 35mm too for night pics. I can only afford one, so I'll have to choose!

 

[spinetnglr]

How funny! Where are you staying? We're an extended family of 8 this time, so we are renting a house offsite.

I'm so torn b/c I want a walk around, but I really really want the 35mm too for night pics. I can only afford one, so I'll have to choose!

I am staying offsite also. I had a timeshare week that needed to be used before the end of the year. The name of the place is Westgate and its located about 5 minutes from Disney. I have always wanted to go for MNSSHP.

I have a 50mm 1.4 but I am afraid it wont be wide enough for the dark rides and some other shots I want to get so I was looking into getting the 35mm and letting the 50mm at home. Everyone seems to be out of stock on them all the time. Its not an easy lens to find to buy. I guess the best bet is to pick a seller place the order and hope for the best if you want to buy one. I did notice that Amazon.com states they do have them in stock for a price of $350 shipped from another retailer. Thats about $150 more than Adorama. No wonder they have them in stock.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yep, it's unfortunate, I have noticed a couple places that are jacking up the price b/c they know that it is hard to find. I believe that Adorama is the place to order it, I think they do get them in and send them out, but are immediately out of stock again at that point!

I wanted to buy one, but I won't be able to rent a walkaround too. Choices, choices!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Has anyone used: http://www.rentglass.com/

 

[sanschag]

I have used lensrentals.com for a Canon 10-22 (trip to Italy a couple years back; loved the lens) and was very happy with them. I had no problems (aside from them "not" getting the lens back - the UPS driver had dropped it off at their back door and not told them - once I gave them the tracking number all was well). They seemed like a very "personable" company to deal with. One thing to watch out for is that many rental places don't accept reservations. This may work in some circumstances, but obviously not for a trip. Lensrentals used to do it for 2 week+ rentals and now seems to do it for all. rentglass.com doesn't take them at all.

 

[rtphokie]

I've rented a long lens from lensrentals.com and was very happy. Communication is good, easy to track the shipment and the price was reasonable. Quality of the lens was excellent.

One tip I'd give is that if you are traveling with the lens, take the prepaid return label they provide with you. If your plans change, you can send it back from there.

 

[mtdewlarissa]

i have also rented from lensrental.com and will use them again. if you want a specific lens i would put in for it early. i rented for 2 weeks just to give myself a few days on both sides time wise. it was not much more money for two weeks. plus i got to play with the lens a little more.

 

[handicap18]

i used lensrentals.com with excellent success. Highly recommended. I would also recommend cameralensrentals.com. I almost rented with them, but they didn't have lens I wanted when I needed it. However, their customer service was EXCELLENT. Very helpful both via email and on the phone. I'll be using them for my next rental. They also have a 10% offer on your first rental with them.

 

[ngineer]

I've used LensRentals, TheLensDepot, and LensProToGo -- all with perfect success with multiple rentals.

Customer service at all three has been nothing but excellent. The Lens Depot wins for me because they're in Florida, so I get lenses the next day.

As an anecdote; a couple of years ago, when Lens Rentals was smaller and didn't have the lens I needed in stock; I called them up. The owner gave me the cell phone number of his competitor over at LensProToGo, who had the lens available, and took great care of me. Top notch, classy folks at all of them.

 

[Golf4food]

I have used http://www.cameralensrentals.com a few times, and have been VERY happy. They ship the lenses in very sturdy cases. Barry is the fellow that runs that place and he's a good guy to work with. He's even bought brand new items, and shipped them to me so I would have a rental (he had it shipped from B&H to me then I returned it to him). He based out of Indiana.

I'll second this. Very good experience with them this month. You just need access to a FedEx shipping facility (FedexKinkos, FedEx shipping center, OfficeMax, etc.) to return it.

 

[Shutterbug]

I want to add in another for http://www.lensrentals.com/

I have rented a few times from them. One time I needed to have the lens in the morning as opposed to waiting around at the house all day for it arrive by FedEx. They set it up so that it would stay at the FedEx facility so I could pick it up there first thing in the morning

Also I believe they will also ship to a hotel that way you wouldnt have to lug it on the plane with you.

 

[tlhbdm]

I am renting a lens from focus lens rentals right now and couldn't be more happy with my experience. They upgraded me for free(because I booked so far in advance) and they have been so so so nice in email contact with them, I would recommend them in a heat beat and will definitely will be renting from them again in the future.

 

[Suburbanmom]

If you have rented camera lenses, would you share your experience? I know I've read about people renting lenses here. I called a local camera shop and they don't carry the lens I'm interested in as a rental. Have you rented from an online source? I'm weighing my options between buying a used 85mm f/1.8 and renting the 85mm f/1.4. As much as I'd love having a new lens in my bag, I'm not sure I really NEED it on a daily basis and might be better off renting the faster one.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have rented from lensrentals.com several times.
I would again. One time I needed the rental to be left at the local fedex place instead of my home. Fed ex doesnt get out to my house till late in the afternoon and I needed the lens in the morning. I called lensrentals and told them what I needed and they set it up so I could pick it up at the fedex facility.

Each lens arrived in good condition with lens covers included.

The 100-400 I rented once was a lil soft but nothing I couldnt work with.

 

[annnewjerz]

I used ziplens.com for the rental of an 80-200 f/2.8 to use during our Disney trip in December and it worked out great. I put in the order online, they confirmed that it was available a few days later and then I received a FedEx number the day it shipped out to me. When the lens arrived, it was packed extremely well with a case, foam, bubble wrap---the whole nine yards. I used it for the duration of my rental and on the last day, packaged it back up and attached the pre-paid FedEx label and sent it on its way.

The whole process was extremely easy, affordable and I feel well worth it. The only thing I will say it to make sure you start the rental two days before you actually need the lens. My lens arrived two days earlier than I expected it to, but I would hate to select the rental period to start the day before I needed it and have there be a service delay that keeps me from getting it in time.

Good luck, Amy!

 

[Todd_H]

I've used lensrentals.com several times and have had great and consistent dealings every time. My experiences with them have mirrored what Ann said about ziplens.com. Shipping charges are a little expensive ($25), but you're paying for UPS 2nd day air both ways.

 

[rtphokie]

I like lensrentals.com as well. Easy to deal with, good selection, equipment was excellent quality.

If nothing else it can cure lens envy. I rented a 200-400mm canon lens with L glass last year. Really enjoyed using it, it performed really well. But putting photos taken with my 100-300mm I bought used years ago, I didn't see $1200 difference in the photos.

 

[Golf4food]

cameralensrentals.com is also great. One of the few that also carry Pentax lenses, which is why I use them.

 

[pozey]

I rented a couple of lenses from www.lensgiant.com last month.

I could not have had a better experience. The lenses were packed in a foam container inside the box that is cut precisely for that particular lens.

The lenses themselves were in perfect condition. And both were inside zippered cases.

Everything to ship the lenses back was also included, including pre-paid shipping label AND wet and stick tape.