Lens Rental Online ~ What to get and where

[Crawleyphoto]

OK Just found out I am getting taken to Alaska this summer including an overnight bear watching trip.

First I shoot Canon and I know I will have my 24-105 and my 17-40 lenses, but I want to take a L series telephoto.

I am considering a 100-400 but want to get some input.

Secondly which online rental company have you used? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

Michael
www.mbcrawleyphotography.com

[MyKey]

BY FAR the best I have dealt with is www.LensProToGo.com

Talk to Paul and tell him I sent you, he is out of Boston area which is even more amazing since he is one of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.


I rented several pieces of glass from him in the past and the process was flawless and the glass was sharp and clean!

[renerod]

what would your best all around lens be if you could only take one lens on an expedition.

[venchka]

1 lens and one lens only? 70-200/2.8 IS L and 1.4x TC.
I also traveled all over the place for years with just a 24-70.
If I were going to Alaska on a once in a lifetime trip, I would take:
17-35
28-80
70-200
500/4.0 (rented)
2 bodies
Gitzo GT3530 & RRS BH-55
Nikon P&S for goofing around
I would also figure out if I had time for and room for my 4x5 camera.

[venchka]

Baack on topic: Rent the 500/4.0 and get the best tripod/tripod head you can find.

[bht-kevin]

How serious are you about shooting? The 500 is a BEAST. A 100-400 would serve you VERY well. Might also consider a 300 F2.8 IS w/ a 1.4 and 2.0.

If I had to choose just 2 lenses, I would bring a 17-55 F2.8 and a 100-400L

[mkothare]

I had a great experience renting from "www.lensrentals.com". I rented a 17-40 for a trip to Big Bend. If you book in advance they send it a day or so early to ensure being on time (not guaranteed). You could try out and get familiar with the lens. They seem to have a good collection of lenses and many pieces of the popular ones. Convenient return procedures too.

[digitaldude400d]

I used www.lensrentals.com once (the only time I had rented any gear). I needed a Canon 40D and a 70-200 2.8 IS. The camera came 3 days early which was great. I was shooting something very important but the day before the shoot the cameras auto focus quit working. So, I called and there was no way they could get another camera to me in time they DID refund my rental feee for the camera.

I know that theres always that chance of gear failing so I wasnt overly upset (disappointed yes, but not upset) but I have to say that I was VERY impressed at how concerned the staff was that this had happened and that they rectified the problem as best they could.

[Coelus]

You may want to ask yourself how close to the bear your comfortable with. That may influence your lens choice.
I'd have to vote for the 300 2.8is with a converter. The 500 f/4 is 2.5lbs heavier and around 6in longer. Plus if you bounce it off a rock that's $1500 less you owe the rental company. You might consider some filters for whichever lens you go with too.

[shamrock]

I used lensrentals.com this fall to rent a D700, 200-400 and a 24-70. I was quite happy with them, and the items did arrive a couple of days early. Shipping back was no hassle either.

I liked the 24-70 so much that i purchased one in November, and plan to get the D700 in March. I will either buy a 200-400 or rent a 500 before my trip to Alaska this summer, and i wouldn't hesitate to use lensrentals.com again.

[renerod]

do you know if you can rent, then keep and purchase a lens if you like it.

[ilove2eatcake]

Hi! Just wanted to share my experience with www.LensProToGo.com. Since the Nikon 24-70 2.8 is such an expensive lens, I wanted to rent it first before I made the decision to buy. Response is super quick when you submit your order and service is great. The lens came in a little pelican case with the return shipping label for when it was time to send it back. I rented the lens for about 4 weeks and paid for the equipment insurance. With all the "latest and greatest" glass out there, it becomes so tempting to just go out and buy it - very expensive method! I highly recommend renting before buying if you can. I've bought so many lenses and ended up selling them and losing money because it's not what I thought it would be. Plus renting gave me time to shop around for the best deal when I decided to purchase. I've had a friend rent from www.thelensdepot.com too and she had a good experience as well. Hope this helps!

[MRCPix]

LensRental. com is great and you can do up to 30 day rentals with insurance.

[MT Stringer]

The only lens rental I have had any experience with was BorrowLenses.com. I needed a 135 f/2L and they were the only place that I could find one. The rental was a smooth transaction - no problems at all.
MIke

[digitalpixels]

Both lensrentals.com and borrowlenses.com are beyond excellent.