Broncolor or Profoto hire in Bangalore, India anyone?

[E_Edwards]

Going to Bangalore in a couple of weeks for a long shoot. Does anyone know of a reputable rental house in Bangalore, India? I'm after either renting Broncolor or Profoto 3K power packs as well as 1k monoblocks. Last time I flew all my lighting there, a lot of hassle!

Many thanks in advance.

Edward

[paul_jones]

Going to Bangalore in a couple of weeks for a long shoot. Does anyone know of a reputable rental house in Bangalore, India? I'm after either renting Broncolor or Profoto 3K power packs as well as 1k monoblocks. Last time I flew all my lighting there, a lot of hassle!

Many thanks in advance.

Edward

last year i shot in a remote part of india, and its a tricky place to bring gear into. a lot of paper work and bureaucracy.
after a bit of research we decided to hire from mumbai and fly an assist with the equipment locally. we got a pile of quotes, and a lot were a ridiculous price- more expensive than paris to rent.
But we found a very reasonably priced place, if you email me ill look it up, its not on this computer (it will be my office- i can check tomorrow). info at paulrossjones dot com
if they cant get gear to you, they were very friendly and maybe they know other contacts.

cheers paul

[Neil Folberg]

I have no idea where to rent lighting in India, but I have flown lighting and photographic equipment into some 18 countries using a carnet (including India), obtained from your local chamber of commerce. It is essentially a binding guarantee that imported equipment will be exported.  Out of those 18 countries, I might add, Uzbekistan and Jamaica were among the most difficult, but Italy takes the prize: a beautifully suited italian customs official on the Swiss border politely informed me that " you have fallen into the worst bureaucracy in the world, Italian customs". His words ring true in my ears today.

best of luck to you -
Neil

[Joelio]

Going to Bangalore in a couple of weeks for a long shoot. Does anyone know of a reputable rental house in Bangalore, India? I'm after either renting Broncolor or Profoto 3K power packs as well as 1k monoblocks. Last time I flew all my lighting there, a lot of hassle!

Many thanks in advance.

Edward

As mentioned earlier, India is a bit of a pain to cart gear around locally and onto flights.  While I understand that the OP is curious of renting lighting gear, keep in mind that all photographic gear - including film, unfortunately - is up for massive security checking, examination and, in my case, short detention.

Across the country film is sent through the x-ray machine, and requesting a hand check will probably be met with aggression.  Even at three a.m. in a completely empty airport.  Be prepared for government security demanding bribes without an ounce of shame. 

Good luck with finding a real rental house.  All of the photo shops that I sought out in Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad and Visag were geared towards amateur shooters.  If anybody has any ideas or references for India, please post them.  Thank you!

[E_Edwards]

Thank you all for your help.

I've actually been to shoot in Bangalore before. We took 12 Pelican cases with lights and equipment plus other cases for poles, tripods and the like, all the way from England. The Customs routine wasn't too bad actually, even at 3am when we arrived, there was a lot of activity...and then the mosquitos! I even had a nice chat with the chief customs officer on the way back, he very politely asked me for tips for better photography. I only had one small item break on my return, a UV glass dome on one of the flash lights that in retrospect I should've taken apart.

But although it was three of us, it was still risky, should anything go wrong and fail to work, as I've seen how baggage handlers deal with cases...

I have managed to source 3 Profoto 2400 there so far but I still need to source a further 6 smaller lights, shouldn't be a problem, as photographers there are only to willing to help out and hire their lights. We also have contacts in Mumbay, but we are trying to avoid this unless we absolutely must. The cameras will travel with us though.

Edward

[Joelio]

Thank you all for your help.

I've actually been to shoot in Bangalore before. We took 12 Pelican cases with lights and equipment plus other cases for poles, tripods and the like, all the way from England. The Customs routine wasn't too bad actually, even at 3am when we arrived, there was a lot of activity...and then the mosquitos! I even had a nice chat with the chief customs officer on the way back, he very politely asked me for tips for better photography. I only had one small item break on my return, a UV glass dome on one of the flash lights that in retrospect I should've taken apart.

But although it was three of us, it was still risky, should anything go wrong and fail to work, as I've seen how baggage handlers deal with cases...

I have managed to source 3 Profoto 2400 there so far but I still need to source a further 6 smaller lights, shouldn't be a problem, as photographers there are only to willing to help out and hire their lights. We also have contacts in Mumbay, but we are trying to avoid this unless we absolutely must. The cameras will travel with us though.

Edward

Edward -

Glad to hear that you had a positive experience - I've certainly had my nightmares in country!  Demanding bribes, refusing entry to temples and stores, people grabbing cameras (while they're around my neck!), though I can't wait to go back.

-Joel

[Ajoy Roy]

Read this just today.

Please contact the Broncolor Dealer [email protected], in Mumbai. They will arrange rental for you.

Please note that there is a stiff customs duty in India, hence the rentals may be on a higher side compared to other places. Instead of rental, you can also negociate purchase & buyback, which is a better option for a longer retention period.

[E_Edwards]

Thank you for the contact, I may need it!