Try before you buy: Rent glass!
Oh will you look at that. How very Web 2.0!
A good way to get to grips with camera equipment is to go out and rent some. Here in the UK, I’ve found Calumet Photo to be an invaluable source of expensive glass on a temporary basis (they also have a presence in Germany, Holland, and the US), but I just stumbled across a brand new concept: On-line lens rental!
It is such an obvious thing to do, but I guess it’s like Columbus’ egg – you have to think about it first. Of course, you can’t keep a good idea to yourself for very long, so when I started to look for it, I actually found two companies that do on-line camera equipment rental – One of them is Ziplens, and the other is the unimaginatively named RentGlass.
As far as I can tell, they both only cater for the US market, but hey – it’s a brilliant idea, and I bet it’s only a matter of time before the concept goes around the planet.
My day job, if it can be called that, is being a writer. I've got one book out there so far and it's awesome, so go ahead and buy a copy! It's available from 
In front of you, five hyperactive men with guitars, drums, and microphones. Behind you, five thousand fans. In your hands, a camera... You're going to need more than just a little bit of good luck to pull this one off. That's where this book comes in.
Take a Canon EOS 450D. Attach a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Hit the streets of London. See what happens.
Insights, suggestions and comments
I used RentGlass to rent a stupid expensive lens before I purchased it. I would recommend them.
Hahaha, it seems that we’re of the same mind.
I was about 1/4 done an article on the same thing with my own experiences renting equipment locally mixed in :P
Idea thief! :P
Both Andrew and my self have discussed this topic in detail before. I am so sad that there is nothing like this out here on the east coast of Canada.
Unfortunately renting stuff over here just isn’t worth the money you pay. May as well buy the bloody things outright for what they ask you in rental costs.
The only place that rented lenses in Ottawa, Canada discontinued their rental program last fall. Stupid.
I used photolensrental.com…
Excellent service, quick ship, quality lenses. I rented the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM for a week…awesome lens. I just switched over from Olympus to a Canon 350D just because of the availability of rental glass!
Pardon the shameless plug, but we rent Canon and Nikon lenses, camera bodies, accessories, filters, etc. as well. Please check us out at http://www.BorrowLenses.com.
Thanks!
Hello.
Here is the best New England’s online photo lens rental company! :)
Please visit our site. Low prices and excellent service!
http://www.TryAndBuyLens.com
We’re one of the newer rental sites on the block, having opened late last summer but we provide low prices and excellent service. We ship all of our gear in Pelican cases to ensure its safe arrival. You can visit us at http://www.glassandgear.com.
Canadian photographers will be interested in Lens Lenders for camera lens rentals.
http://www.lenslenders.com/
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