Houston Medium Format Camera Rental?

[groovyone]

Is there a good place in the Houston area to rent a digital MF camera? I have had this itch now for some time and I really would like to scratch it by renting rather than buying. Renting would let me try it and get a fix without having to sleep in the garage.

I'd like to rent something along the Mamiya/Phase One line since that would likely be what I'd purchase if not a Pentax 645.

[Daniel W.]

Doesn't look like LightTec has any digital backs (they do have the Hassy 500's in film flavor... Lensrentals.com has the HD40)

[rfortson]

Here's a place that rents the Pentax 645D, but it's $500 per day, with a $10k deposit. Chump change, right?

Ace Photo Inc. | Online Store | Order Pentax 645D From An Authorized Rental Dealer Page 1

If you do rent the Pentax, I'd love to come see it. Not so much that I'd help you pay for it, though.

[groovyone]

In what could be amazing timing, I just got a gift card in that exact amount. Too bad that only covers 1 day!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Really just shoot MF Film and have it drum scanned unlesss you just really need to turn around of Digital or just want to mess with it. You can buy a film set up and then save for the back since they make adaptors to work with the film bodies.

In fact if you go with an older body you may be able to buy a used body with lens and back for the price of the one day rental of the digital.

[venchka]

Word on the street: Used digital backs for the Hasselblad 500 bodies are in the $3,500 range.

[Daniel W.]

The CFV is a beautiful thing (aesthetically). But if you look hard enough, maybe get a Kodak DCS Pro back on the cheap...