Hire of Lens

[Jeff]

Hi I.m unsure of what lens to purchase and I have heard that you can hire lens on a daily basis.Do you guys know if this correct and if so from whom in Sydney.
Jeff

[Glen]

What sort of lens do you want to rent?

[Jeff]

Hi Glen,Iwas thinking of trying 70-200VR and 80-400 VR. Try before you buy idea.
Jeff

[Glen]

Haven't seen anyone with stock that new. Ten years back you could hire the latest, now it seems only very limited range. Someone else may know where you can hire one or the other. Why don't you come to a minimeet and try both? Or have you already done that? Minimeets are on most Saturdays.

[birddog114]

I don't think Sydney has many places for rental lens, if there are then only the big lens.
Mini meets and meets are only the place to provide members with free access into the freedom of evaluation of lenses and other gears and mostly more than the available stocks in any other photography stores.

[gstark]

Jeff,

The best answer for you is to come along to our minimeets. You'll be able to sample a smorgasboard of lenses, at your liesure, and take your time in making a decision.

[Wocka]

Jeff,

Who supplies the lenses at the minimeet? Are they new or is it just common to share with other photographers?

I take it there aren't many Canon lenses available?

[rjlhughes]

David Tucker in Redfern is a friendly very helpful person:

http://www.rentacamera.com.au/html/price_f.html

but it looks like his stock is almost exclusively Nikon, though.

[gstark]

Wocka,

Birddog has an amazing collection of glass, and generously makes it freely avaiable to those at the minimeets to play with and sample. And if you want to play with a high-end body, such as a D2x, that too can be arranged.

Other members bring their gear too, and it's not uncommon for person A to want to sample lens X from person C, and the atmosphere and cameraderie is such that this sort of behaviour is encouraged.

The array of glass is simply amazing, and I daresay that there is no other place in Australia - and most certainly not any retail or pro store - where you would be free to try, at your liesure, anything that's just lying on the table.

Unfortunately, yes, the equipment is predominantly Nikon, but we're certainly hoping that our Canon members will be joining us and bringing their gear along too, so that they too, can benefit from what we have established.

[Glen]

Wocka, Jeff probably wont know the answer to your question so I will answer it. The minimeets are held at Birddog's base and his very, very extensive collection of lenses is available. Also others bring their lenses. There is also good company, snacks, sensor cleaning demos and talk about photography. Probably the only place you could see a Markins, RRS, Acratech and other high end ballheads or a good range of carbon fibre Gitzo tripods.

Yes, it is common for photographers to try each others lenses, much the same as tradesmen may try anothers new tools or as a teenage boy you try each others girlfriends - sorry, I digress for a moment.

At the moment the lenses are predominantly Nikon, but hopefully more Canon will appear and there are lots of non brand specific items such as the Epson P2000 PSD, tripods, ballheads, L brackets, etc. Hope to see you at one

[jdear]

Hi all,

I doubt you will find someone who will rent you a telephoto VR lens.

Ive found the following other lenses available in the sydney area for rent...

Might be helpful to someone...

Baltronics.com.au

* Nikon AF-S 80-200 f2.8D - $121.11 weekend, $80.74 day
* Nikon AF-S 17-35 f2.8D - $121.11 weekend, $80.74 day
* Nikon AF-S 28-70 f2.8D - $121.11 weekend, $80.74 day

L & P Photo [lapfoto.com.au]

* Nikon AF 80-200 f2.8 - $120 weekend, $72 day
* Nikon AF 28-70 f2.8 - $120 weekend, $72 day
* Nikon AF 17-35 f2.8 - $120 weekend, $72 day
* Nikon F100 w/ MB15 grip - $150 weekend, $96 day

* Hasselblad Xpan w/ 45 &90mm lens - $298 weekend, $180 day

I will add the Photo Rental Centre prices when they email me back.

If anyone knows of others please add them in, Im looking to hire in October.

Cheers,

JD

[birddog114]

As you've seen the money you pay for rental, is better to bring it with you and use it as a deposit sum on the lens(es) you like to have at the mini meets.

[daniel_r]

Hi all,


* Hasselblad Xpan w/ 45 &90mm lens - $298 weekend, $180 day

JD

crazy unjustified lusting.... oh...

I think hiring an Xpan is about the closest I'm going to get to a Hasselblad

Upside: I can pay the rental fee and return it a couple of days later (lusting satisfied and walking away with thousands in change to go buy some new Nikon glass )

[Jeff]

Gary And Birddog thank you for the invitation to the minimeet,I thought these were a closed shop affair. I would love to come one Saturday,what is the format and what would I need to bring apart from camera gear?
Jeff

[birddog114]

Check-in by signing the book and join the gang
Apart from the camera gear, nothing you have to bring with you, ecept the wallet with full of cash

[Jeff]

Dumb question, check in sign the book, I do not follow.
Jeff

[gstark]

Bring your camera gear, and anything else that you feel is relevant.

If you've made arrangements to buy something, your wallet will be required.

We have a sign-in book, hence the remark about signing in.

Coffee, cake, and often lunch is provided through the good graces of Birddog and his delightful wife.

Please note that there's no minimeet this Saturday; just keep you eyes on our calendar for details of when the next one will be held.

[Heath Bennett]

Does any 'meet participating' member have a 7.5mm f5.6 180' Fisheye?

[birddog114]

Dumb question, check in sign the book, I do not follow.
Jeff

We have the rules at the mini meet:
- Introduce yourself to other present members as you walk-in the gate: Check-ins.
- Sign the diary of the mini-meet as you're attended the mini-meet.
Then you can:
- Make yourself a cuppa, enjoying piece of cake from joet and Chryssine
- Talk to other fellow members.
- Touch and play all the lenses displayed on the table.
- Asking questions or CCD cleaning or using the printer Epson 2100.

By lunch:
- Pick-up your plate and cutlery.
- Pick up the foods for your lunch.
- Pick up a glass and choose your wine (If available) or soft drink or drinking water, or beers.
Sorry no Cooper

[Jeff]

Thank you. You guys are very generous and special,I look forward to meeting you and probably ask some dumb questions.See you at the next meet.
Jeff