Lens Rentals around DFW

[BEphoto]

Hey, i was just checking to see if anyone knows some more places around DFW to rent lenses. More specifically with a Debit Card as a deposit. I was planning on getting one at Arlington Camera today when i get off work since ive had a few people tell me they have used their Bank of America debit to rent. I called a few minutes ago and they said they only take actual credit now, due to them getting burned too many times. Completely understandable, however.

I actually have two things to shoot this weekend and i need something fairly wide. At the moment ive just got my 50 1.8 and my 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Saturday isnt nearly as important to have the lens, but would be nice. Its my moms 50'th B-day surprise party. My other two lenses will be fine for most of the shots, but the party is at my Aunt's house in Maypearl and the landscape around her house is really nice. Thought i could get some nice sunset shots.

Sunday is the main attraction though, since i will be shooting some downhill skateboarding. The 50 or the 70-200 might be okay, but i hear this run is very twisty so im thinking that i wont be able to get enough distance back away from the road to make 50mm work. Im going to have to be in pretty tight to the riders.

I was planning on renting either a 16-35L, 17-40L, or even a 17-55 IS, or anything in that similar focal range. A fisheye would be cool too. Even a 10-22 if needed.

If you guys know of any places that take debits please let me know. I just got to work and dont really have time to do much research today, but i'll check. I really just dont know many places around that rent equipment.

Thanks for any info guys!

Brad

[L Stegall]

LightTec and Competitive Camera are two that rent lenses in Dallas. I don't know if they take debit cards for a deposit or not, but I've certainly paid with a debit card when I was done. I'd call them and ask. Does your bank account have enough in it that they could put a hold on it for the value of the lens? That may be the issue.

[MelanieIvy]

I'm renting one from Dallas Camera today. I know they require a CC for deposit, but not sure if they also take debit card. If your debit card has a visa symbol on it, then it shouldn't make a difference.

[gtakacs]

I have rented lenses from Arlington Camera and Fort Worth Camera before if you're looking on this side of the metroplex. Fort Worth Camera has a weekend special when you pick up a lens after 3:00 or 4:00 on Friday it's only due back 11:00AM on Monday and counts as a one day rental. I think Arlington Camera hs something similar, but maybe picking up Saturday, not Friday. Call both and see what they say.

[BEphoto]

I know most of the rentals have the same policy as far as weekend rentals go.

I always thought the same thing about a visa debit and a credit card being able to be used the same. I guess they have a way to decipher them now though. When I ordered my Uverse last month they wouldn't take my debit card even though it has a visa logo. I ended up having to use my moms CC to place the order. Arlington Camera told me the same thing.

I'm considering buying one of those new Tamron 10-24s if I can find one. I tried one for nikon mount when they first came out a few months back, but they didn't have the canon mount available yet. Seemed like a good lens.

[L Stegall]

If your mom will let you use her CC for the deposit, they should accept the debit for payment when you return it.

My guess is that the don't take a debit because they put a hold on your CC until you return the lens in good working order. Same as renting a car or hotel room - they put a hold on the card higher than the actual charges to make sure there is no damage, which is why, even if I ultimately pay with my debit card, I'll use a cc up front.

[MelanieIvy]

I just picked up my lens through Dallas Camera, and they charge the amount of the lens to the card, and then refund it when you pick it up. They also do the rental fee separately and even asked me if I wanted to use the same card for both. So if other places do it like this, it should work as long as they can charge the full amount to the card while you have the lens for the weekend.

[toverman]

I've only rented from Fort Worth Camera (as Greg mentioned above) and did the weekend thing. This was more than a year ago, but they charged only the deposit to my card (and it's a Visa debit card).

Wherever you go to rent, call ahead to reserve one. Some of the more popular rental items might already be out the door.

[utdbear]

I've only rented from Competitive Cameras. I have yet to be asked for a credit/debit card as a deposit.