Renting Camera Lenses: Best Places To Get Them

There are several online platforms that allow you to rent camera lenses, including Lensrentals, BorrowLenses, Pro Photo Rental, and LensProToGo. These websites offer a wide range of lenses from popular manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fuji. In addition to lenses, some of these platforms also provide camera bodies, tripods, lighting equipment, and other photography gear for rent. For those who prefer an in-person experience, local studios like PhotoSpace in Denver, Colorado, provide camera and lens rentals along with studio space and lighting equipment.

Online vs in-store

There are several options for renting camera lenses, both online and in-store.

Online

When renting online, you can browse an extensive inventory of lenses from the comfort of your home. Websites such as Lensrentals.com, BorrowLenses (now part of Lensrentals), and LensProToGo offer a wide range of camera gear and equipment for rent. These websites often provide detailed descriptions, specifications, and user reviews for each product, making it easier to compare different lenses and find the perfect one for your needs. Online rental services typically offer convenient shipping options, with some, like LensProToGo, including round-trip shipping in their prices and shipping the equipment in hard shell cases to ensure safety during transit.

Another advantage of online rental services is their flexibility. You can rent lenses whenever and wherever you need them, and some websites even allow you to specify the day you want to receive the equipment. This can be especially useful if you have a planned photoshoot or trip and need the gear by a certain date. Additionally, online rental services often have chat or support systems to assist you with any queries you may have about the products or the rental process.

In-store

Renting camera lenses in-store offers a more hands-on experience. You can physically inspect and compare different lenses, and even test them out to get a feel for their performance and ergonomics. This can be especially beneficial if you're particular about the gear you use or if you want to ensure the lens meets your specific requirements. In-store rentals may also offer more immediate access to the equipment, eliminating the need to wait for shipping.

However, the selection of lenses available in-store may be more limited compared to online options. Additionally, you may need to factor in travel time and convenience when choosing to rent in-store, especially if you don't live nearby or have limited access to physical rental stores.

In conclusion, both online and in-store options offer distinct advantages. Online rentals provide convenience, flexibility, and a wide selection, while in-store rentals offer the opportunity to physically inspect and test the lenses before renting. Ultimately, the decision between online and in-store rental depends on your personal preferences, time constraints, and specific needs for your photography endeavours.

Rental prices

There are several options for renting camera lenses, with prices varying according to the type of lens and the rental duration.

Lensrentals

Lensrentals offers an "exhaustive inventory" of products from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, and Leica. The website does not list prices, but it does state that customers can "chat" with a representative during business hours.

BorrowLenses

BorrowLenses has been acquired by Lensrentals, so it is likely that the two companies now share similar pricing models.

Pro Photo Rental

Pro Photo Rental offers a "curated selection" of rental lenses from popular manufacturers, including Canon, Fuji, Sony, Nikon, Sigma, and Schneider. The company's website includes a list of common prices for different rental periods, ranging from one day to 45 days. For example, renting the Schneider Kreuznach 28mm LS f/4.5 Aspherical lens for one day costs $80, while renting it for 45 days costs $1,140.

Glazer's Rentals

Glazer's Rentals offers an "extensive collection" of cameras, lenses, lighting, grip, audio gear, and cinema lenses. The company's website does not list prices, but it does provide a phone number and email address for customers to inquire about reservations. The site also mentions a "featured rental product," the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II, which rents for $150 per day or $600 per week.

Rental periods

When renting camera lenses, it's important to consider the rental period, as different companies offer different rental durations. Some companies offer very specific rental periods, while others provide more flexibility.

For example, Pro Photo Rental offers completely customisable rental periods in 1-day increments, ranging from a single day to 45 days. This gives customers the freedom to choose the exact duration they need the equipment for, ensuring they don't have to pay for time they don't require.

On the other hand, some companies like Photospace in Denver, CO, offer a set number of days for their rentals. For instance, their Canon EOS R5 Kit rental is $195 for an unspecified number of days, while their Nikon Z8 Kit is also $195 but includes a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, batteries, charger, tether cable, and a 256GB SD card.

Lensrentals.com also doesn't specify their rental periods, but they do offer shipping services, stating that they will ship your order to arrive on the day you request it. They also provide a return service, where you return the equipment in the same box on the day your rental ends.

Similarly, LensProToGo includes up to 2-day round-trip shipping in their prices, ensuring your gear arrives safely and on time. They also mention that the rental period can be changed in the cart, giving customers some flexibility in their rental duration.

With these options available, photographers and videographers can choose the rental period that best suits their needs, ensuring they have the necessary equipment for the desired duration without incurring unnecessary costs.

Camera body rental

There are several options available for renting camera bodies and lenses.

Lensrentals.com offers an "exhaustive inventory" of gear, including camera bodies and lenses from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, and Leica. The company ships orders to arrive on your desired date and provides customers with a pre-paid return label for sending the equipment back in the same box. Lensrentals has recently acquired BorrowLenses and ATS Rentals, so you may see those names pop up on their website.

BorrowLenses, now part of Lensrentals, serves photographers and videographers by providing top-quality gear whenever and wherever it's needed.

Pro Photo Rental offers a curated selection of rental lenses and DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema-grade cameras from popular manufacturers, including Canon, Fuji, Sony, Nikon, Sigma, and Schneider. The company also provides a range of accessories, such as filters, clamps, tripods, and recorders.

LensProToGo also offers camera, lens, and video gear rentals, with the added benefit of including shipping costs in the rental price. They ship orders in hard-shell Pelican Cases to ensure the safety of the equipment.

These companies provide a range of options for renting camera bodies and lenses, with some offering additional accessories and convenient shipping options.

Camera lens types

Camera lenses can be divided into two types: zoom lenses and prime lenses. Zoom lenses have variable focal lengths, allowing you to zoom in and out on your subject. They are incredibly versatile and commonly used by wedding photographers. A 70-200mm lens is a popular choice, but you can also find zoom lenses with a much wider range, such as 18-270mm. Zoom lenses are adaptable and perfect for travelling light.

Prime lenses, on the other hand, have a fixed focal length. They are classic lenses that have been around as long as cameras have. The advantage of prime lenses is that they specialise in one specific type of photography, resulting in higher-quality images. The 50mm prime lens, also known as the "Nifty Fifty", is a popular choice for portraits as the focal length matches the human eye. A 35mm prime lens is often used for landscape photography.

In addition to these two main types, there are several other lens categories:

• Telephoto lenses: These are great for wildlife, sports, and portrait photography, as well as close-up photography. They are typically found in the 100-400mm range and are bulky, often requiring a tripod.
• Wide-angle lenses: These lenses offer a wider field of view, making them perfect for landscape and architectural photography. They generally have a focal length between 16 and 35mm.
• Fisheye lenses: These are ultra-wide-angle lenses that create a unique distorted effect, similar to a GoPro image.
• Macro lenses: These lenses are designed for close-up photography, allowing you to capture small details and are often used for photographing flowers, insects, or jewellery.

When choosing a lens, consider your specific needs and budget. While some lenses are versatile and suitable for various scenarios, others are more specialised.

Frequently asked questions