Anyone have recommendations for renting big glass? I currently own a Sigma 50-500, but it has serious limitations shooting open on the wide end.
As you may have seen from a previous post, I won a lottery to McNeil to photograph coastal brown bears. I went and looked at the pricing of some serious big glass and my jaw dropped.
Rental might be an option I would consider as I am not a wildlife guy first and foremost.
I'm curious if anyone has any comments on the idea to begin with, or recent use of a rental service.
Renting a big glass long lens is a good option. It really depends on where you are located. We are lucky in that we have 2 sources here in Dallas, one a photo/video rental company and the other our local camera dealer.
Besides renting a big glass long lens, you may also need to either rent or buy a sturdy tripod. For the first two or so years, we rented one of the big old heavy aluminum Gitzo tripods with either a 400mm or 600mm lens. We also rented a lighter weight tripod at the camera dealer. The photo/video rental company has everything including all sorts of lighting equipment, mostly for video filming for shoots of commercials. But, that Gitzo aluminum tripd had a center column which was a pain in the neck while carrying. And, its head was less than desirable though it was designed to support 25+ pound cameras.
Finally, about 4 years ago we got smart and purchased a Gitzo 1548 from our local camera dealer. (Yes, they had them in stock.). We also got the full Wimberley head. Now, the 600mm is as easy to use as the 500mm lens from the rental company's Houstong store.
As far as rental companies, you might tri Prophoto in Seattle. However, be prepared to pay shipping charges which might be as much fas a short term rental.
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 25, 2006 at 1:24 PM
I am going to McNeil this year in 2007. Where did you end up renting a larger lens? I have an 80/400vr but since I will be shooting with 2 bodies I want to rent a large lens for my other body as well. I was looking at a 300/2.8 Adorama had for rent but I see that Rent Glass.com
is much cheaper for the 300/f4. What kind of lens did you rent and did you find it satisfactory to get you close up shots?
Discussion
5 repliesAs you may have seen from a previous post, I won a lottery to McNeil to photograph coastal brown bears. I went and looked at the pricing of some serious big glass and my jaw dropped.
Rental might be an option I would consider as I am not a wildlife guy first and foremost.
I'm curious if anyone has any comments on the idea to begin with, or recent use of a rental service.
Renting a big glass long lens is a good option. It really depends on where you are located. We are lucky in that we have 2 sources here in Dallas, one a photo/video rental company and the other our local camera dealer.
Besides renting a big glass long lens, you may also need to either rent or buy a sturdy tripod. For the first two or so years, we rented one of the big old heavy aluminum Gitzo tripods with either a 400mm or 600mm lens. We also rented a lighter weight tripod at the camera dealer. The photo/video rental company has everything including all sorts of lighting equipment, mostly for video filming for shoots of commercials. But, that Gitzo aluminum tripd had a center column which was a pain in the neck while carrying. And, its head was less than desirable though it was designed to support 25+ pound cameras.
Finally, about 4 years ago we got smart and purchased a Gitzo 1548 from our local camera dealer. (Yes, they had them in stock.). We also got the full Wimberley head. Now, the 600mm is as easy to use as the 500mm lens from the rental company's Houstong store.
As far as rental companies, you might tri Prophoto in Seattle. However, be prepared to pay shipping charges which might be as much fas a short term rental.
I have a better idea. Email me. Two23@aol.com
Kent in SD
You've got mail...
Take a look here...
Rent Glass.Com
I have no experience with them and don't know if they yet have a lens big enough for your needs but have read several good reports about them.
Good luck,
Bill
I am going to McNeil this year in 2007. Where did you end up renting a larger lens? I have an 80/400vr but since I will be shooting with 2 bodies I want to rent a large lens for my other body as well. I was looking at a 300/2.8 Adorama had for rent but I see that Rent Glass.com
is much cheaper for the 300/f4. What kind of lens did you rent and did you find it satisfactory to get you close up shots?