How to get companies to loan you gear?

I have a blog that gets a good amount of readers and I've started doing book reviews. I want to expand my "services" so to speak and would like to review equipment/gear but I certainly don't have the cache of a well-known photographer. The only advantage that I think I have is that all of the lens makers are HQ'd on Long Island which is where I live.

I know that Nikon/Canon would likely not bother listening to my requests as they have pros who test/review all of their equipment but I was thinking companies like Sigma/Tokina/Tamron would be willing to lend me some gear in exchange for a review.

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm wondering who to contact and exactly how to go about it. I don't have super high expectations and am not afraid of getting my requests rejected but I figure you get no where without asking. Any advice is good advice. Thanks in advance.

When you say a good amount of readers, what kind of numbers are you talking about, per/month for example.

I don't know about Canon, but Nikon has (or had- I haven't used it in a while) a gear loan program through their pro program. I've had good luck in getting acquainted with reps at shows, and over the span of years and friendship the gear starts to flow. I'm using the stuff rather than testing it and writing about it, but I'd think they'd be even more willing in your case.

Have you tried simply writing to them, directing them to your site and some representative gear test write-ups, then making your request for the short term loan of specific gear? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I have between 1200 and 1500 unique visits/month.

Hank,

I'm familiar with Nikon's pro progam but I was under the impression that in order to "qualify" so to speak you have to have a certain amount of their pro equipment. My plan was to simply write these companies but I was wondering if anyone knew who specifically to write or any key words to use. I had a contact at Nikon who was friends with my relative but they have proved too busy to aid me in any way. I know somoene who works for online marketing for Canon but not sure how much sway they have. Any ideas are welcome! Thanks for your repsonses.

One other avenue to explore is your principle source of gear, hopefully a regional pro shop where you are known. They probably deal with a particular rep in each company or a "jobber" representing many companies, who in turn could direct you to a specific contact in the marketing departments of each company. I use that "chain of command" in a venue other than photography, and it works quite well.

As for Nikon's pro program, it's more about proving you're a working pro than owning any assembly of their pro gear. As I said, I'm out of touch now, but at one time you could find qualification details and the application process at the Nikon site. Come to think of it, I'd be surprised if most sites didn't ID at least the first contact in such a route into marketing or PR.

Come to think of it, there's another venue for you to check. I'm a member of Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), a national association of writers in diverse media, and through my membership I get lots of contacts for gear. I can get deep discounts (e.g., I just bought 4 latest-model fly rods and matching reels at 60% off retail) as well as gear loans from participating companies, though none of it cameras and lenses. You might check their site and what type of writing qualifies for membership. Among the participating companies there's quite a variety of other gear that would be useful for reviews on your site. A track record there will help your case with the major camera companies, I'm sure. Membership and production on your site will also help your case with the smaller, privately-held companies making camera accessories, even if they're not participating with OWAA. OWAA has been around a long time (it was started early in the last century by Teddy Roosevelt) and membership is highly regarded in the outdoor field.

Overall it's a building process, assembling the pieces that lead you toward a long-term goal.

EDIT-

I just double-checked the OWAA site, and it looks like you qualify in at least one category:

"Digital Media Journalist (engaged in producing blog/vlog or other online-only media submission and content creation) – Submit proof of at least 500 AUVs (average unique views) per month over a 12-month period and meet three of four of the following: 1) Maintained a digital media site on outdoor-related activities in any format that allows response feedback for a minimum of one year; 2) Proof of income from communicating about outdoor-related subjects; 3)Average at least two editorial postings per month over a 12-month period; redistribution of press releases does not qualify; 4) Must reveal source for all outside support contributing to content of postings."

Don't know what gear your using but Canon does have a professional program. One of its benefits that I enjoy is the loaner program. if your a Canon shooter you can go on their website and review the qualifications for the professional program.