[stevegreen]

I have seen the question asked before if there was anywhere that you could hire lenses from. Well, now there is.

I have just seen this place is due to open soon. Invaluable for those stuck between which lens to buy and for those wanting to hire a lens for track days etc.

[dfrear]

Very decent prices, as long as the service is good I may have to give them a go sometime in the future. Thanks Steve.

[Brammers]

It appears that that company only services Canon.

Try here:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?ac.u...rentaldest.jsp

For Canon and Nikon and here:

http://www.photostore-uk.com/

For Sony/Minolta. It says coming soon but if you register as a member hire is actually already available.

[Radiohead]

Try Fixation as well

http://www.fixationuk.com/Fixation/Rental.html

[salubrious_k]

I've hired a flash from Calumet before and could recommend them. They certainly offer a great range of lenses.

[richard plumb]

hmm. interesting.

Anyone know if any sites offer a rebate if you rent a lense then buy one from them?

I'm thinking that a service like that would be useful for deciding eg if I need the IS version of the 70-200f4, or will the normal one do? rent both, then buy the one you prefer and get the cost of the rental refunded.

[StewartR]

Since stevegreen was kind enough to give us a name check, I thought it might be polite to introduce myself and provide a quick update.

LensesForHire is now up and running. We've got off the ground with just Canon lenses, whilst we prove the busness model and get our systems and processes bedded in. We intend to offer Nikon lenses as well, as soon as we can justify and afford it.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or at the address shown on our web site.

[Radiohead]

Thanks Stewart, look forward to you getting Nikon kit in

[richard plumb]

do you allow pickup from your 'shop' unit? If so I might be in trouble as you're only over in Maidenhead.

[Tobers]

Hiring lenses can be a risky business

[ush flynn]

Aye Stewart! welcome, let us know when you get some nikon stuff in. the AF-S 70-200 f2.8G VR would be lovely!

[jonnypb]

£30 for a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM for the week seems very good compared to other sites although delivery adds a bit on especially the extra supplement you get charged if the courier returns the lens

Would definately get the extra insurance as it could turn out to be an expensive weeks hire!!

If insurance allows from e&l or photoguard do you allow a lens to be taken to Ireland? Very tempting for holidays

[jont]

Stewart - Vote of support for Nikon lenses should you get them in ... good luck - have rented lenses is US before and been v useful - to my mind Calumet charge too much for lens hire in UK so some competition will be good ...

Having read your comments on the website about the long lenses 500mm/600mm have you thought about renting those with something like the Manfrotto long lens monopod support cradle 393 - friend of mine has it for his 500/f4 and it feels much safer hooked in there than on a conventional head ...

Jon

[StewartR]

Originally Posted by richard plumb

do you allow pickup from your 'shop' unit? If so I might be in trouble as you're only over in Maidenhead.

We can certainly organise a local pickup, yes. The place in Maidenhead High Street is only a mailbox for returning lenses, but I'm happy to meet people to deliver and collect lenses. It's always nicer dealing with real people.

[StewartR]

Originally Posted by Tobers

Hiring lenses can be a risky business

Wow. Thanks for sharing that, Tobers. I know Mark and Max from BorrowLenses.com quite well, but I haven't spoken to them for a few days and I hadn't heard this story. It is pretty horrifying, isn't it! And of all the lenses they have, it had to happen to the 600mm...

[StewartR]

Originally Posted by bubble502

do you allow a lens to be taken to Ireland? Very tempting for holidays

We don't have a problem with that. We like to know when our lenses are going overseas, and we appreciate confirmation that you have adequate insurance (or another asset like a car ) in case something goes wrong. And we'd like some reassurance that you're coming back!

[StewartR]

Originally Posted by jont

Having read your comments on the website about the long lenses 500mm/600mm have you thought about renting those with something like the Manfrotto long lens monopod support cradle 393 - friend of mine has it for his 500/f4 and it feels much safer hooked in there than on a conventional head ...

Thanks Jon. We'd thought about it but hadn't reached any definite conclusions. The issue we had is that those Wimberly gimbal things are so expensive. This looks much more reasonably affordable.

[StewartR]

Thought it might be worth letting the Nikon users here know that at www.LensesForHire.co.uk we've just placed a large order for Nikon lenses. They should be available to hire within about 3 weeks, though we'll put them on the web site ahead of that to allow forward reservations.

There have been some other improvements too, since I last posted here:

• Canon users can now play with some exotic hardware including the legendary Canon 200mm f/1.8L (we are the only internet hire shop in the world to have this!); Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8; Canon EF-S 10-22mm; and Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS.
• We have arranged a deal for comprehensive damage insurance which you can buy from the LensesForHire web site at the same time as hiring a lens.
• We've extended our future reservations window to 6 months ahead if you're hiring for a week or more, and 3 weeks ahead if you're hiring for less than a week.

[BananaTiger]

Originally Posted by StewartR

[*]Canon users can now play with some exotic hardware including the legendary Canon 200mm f/1.8L (we are the only internet hire shop in the world to have this!);

Wowza!!