Lens and gear rentals

Searcy

I have been shooting fashion runway for years here in Nashville but I have never used a Nikor 70-200 f/2.8. I was thinking about buying one but decided that I will rent one instead to if and how much it improves my style of shooting.

After looking at a few rental options I went with a place out of Michigan called LensGiant.com. that will ship me the lens and let me use it for a week for the same price that my local shop wants for two days rental.

This will allow me to shoot with a $2000+ lens for less than $200.

Do any of you ever rent expensive gear to decide if it worth the cost?

Rx4Photo

Hey Searcy. Firstly, your runway photos are really good in my opinion. I see that you're using the 18-200mm on a D7200 so just be prepared for the crop factor closeness even at 70mm. That said, you're gonna love the faster focus from that lens. The only time I rented anything (Lens Rentals) was for a Nikon fisheye lens. I enjoyed it but wound up not buying one because I know that I'd rarely use it - so I considered it money well spent because it saved me hundreds on a lens that would likely grow roots in my bag. Portraiture with that 70-200 at f/2.8 is pretty amazing from the 100-200 range. Enjoy it!!

dissent

I rented both the Nikkor 70-200G and the Nikkor 200-500 prior to purchase. I've had good service with both LensRentals and Borrowlenses.

Searcy

Yea, the crop factor with using the 70-200 f/2.8 on the d7200 is one reason I want to rent before I buy. It may put me farther down the runway that I want to be. I do alright with the d7200. It's good for the low light I usually do but I'm thinking the fast 2.8 will help me out. I'm hauling my 50mm f/1.8 and my new Tamron 24-70 2.8 as back up this time. Typically I only carry two lenses. My beat up old 18-200 f/3.5 which has been my go too lens for years. Then my 35mm f/1.8 that I use for candid party shots.

Using new gear at an event always makes me panic a bit.

I'm trying to not buy any more DX gear as my next camera will be a full frame body but that won't be for a year or two still.

Any way, the Nikor 70-200mm f/2.8 will not get here until the start of next month. I'll report back then.

Rx4Photo

I don't know if you do anything in these circles or on Instagram, but the sister of one of my coworkers recently relocated from West Palm Beach to Nashville. She's a hair and makeup artist and has done a few things in the celebrity spectrum. Her IG is @britthmua. I wanted to do a portrait session with her before she left but never got the chance.

proudgeek

I was going to say, Lens Rentals is right there in Tennessee and I've had nothing but good luck with them. I've even bought used gear from them.

Searcy

Rx4Photo,
I added her to my instagram. I do need HMUA from time to time. My wife runs a non profit that puts on a very high end fashion show every year. We are always looking for more MUA then.

ProudGeek,

When I ran the numbers the Nikon 70-200mm AF-S f/2.8G ED from Lens Rental was going to cost a bit more and was not available on the date I needed it in the VRII format.