Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Sunny Alan on February 02, 2012, 01:01:23 am

Title: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Sunny Alan on February 02, 2012, 01:01:23 am
Hi,
Visiting Leicester, UK by mid February with my 5D Mk2.
Only 24-105 kit lens with me.
Where to hire a 70-200 and a light weight Tripod?

Are they very costly?

Thanks in advance....
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on February 02, 2012, 03:28:43 am
A 70-200/2.8L II IS is available for 7 days for £91 from these people (http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/). The price includes VAT and insurance, with an excess of £180 (£150 plus VAT). They don't do tripods.

I've rented from them once, last year. They were friendly and extremely helpful. I'd go back to them like a shot if I needed to hire a lens again.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: graeme on February 02, 2012, 07:41:58 am
A 70-200/2.8L II IS is available for 7 days for £91 from these people (http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/). The price includes VAT and insurance, with an excess of £180 (£150 plus VAT). They don't do tripods.

I've rented from them once, last year. They were friendly and extremely helpful. I'd go back to them like a shot if I needed to hire a lens again.

Jeremy
Yes, I can also recommend these guys.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Sunny Alan on February 02, 2012, 09:01:44 am

thanks.... :)
Are they at Leicester too?
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: DickKenny on February 02, 2012, 10:34:58 am
No, they are in Maidenhead, Berkshire. However, they do a very good courier overnight courier service. You should contact them via email to check out detail about your intended address in Leicester. I know when i visited the US - staying in a hotel - the hire companies did want to know. Best of luck.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: MarkL on February 02, 2012, 01:28:18 pm
lensesforhire.co.uk are very good but be aware that they ship stuff in huge boxes which cost a lot to send back (pushing £30 for a 70-200). Also watch out for the courier service they recommend, these guys subcontract to other services and "between 7am and 7pm" is the best pickup estimate they will give so plan on staying home all day. Not really workable if you are are working pro or anyone with a life for that matter. For security they called my workplace (where I was having it delivered) so be prepared for that.

The total cost of hiring gear in the UK is crazy.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Sunny Alan on February 03, 2012, 01:58:20 am
I think it is quite costly affair in total, in UK. In US it is much cheaper.
At the cost of 30 day's rental, I can buy a lens ! >:(
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Rhossydd on February 03, 2012, 04:19:08 am
At the cost of 30 day's rental, I can buy a lens ! >:(
Wrong.
For the Canon 70-200 f2.8 II IS quoted above;
30 days is charged as 5 weeks. 5 x £91 = £455
Price for a new lens in the UK = £1869
Even B&H sell it for the equivalent of £1310 in the US ($2074)

Even if you paid top UK rental prices from the biggest hire dealer in the UK (Fixationuk.com) @ £140/wk it would still be cheaper than buying.
Lensesforhire.co.uk seem to offer a very good deal.

And yes, lots of things and services cost more in the UK.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: kingscurate on February 03, 2012, 11:30:35 am
Calumet do rentals and they have a base in nottingham, which may take an hour to get to from leicester. If you know your postcodes use aa route planner to find exactly how long a drive.  Ive used calumet in manchester and they are helpful.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: kingscurate on February 03, 2012, 11:33:35 am
Mifsuds do rentals as well, family business on south coast of england so probably too far to pick up but they will deliver. Email them for further advice, Ive also dealt with these people over the phone and are also very helpful.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: AdamW on February 03, 2012, 04:32:30 pm
If, as a visitor, you don't have a UK address and UK credit card you may find the rental firm wants a hefty deposit for the hire. Certainly worth checking before it's too late to hire at home instead.
Title: Re: Camera gear rental in Leicester, UK
Post by: Rhossydd on February 03, 2012, 05:22:20 pm
you may find the rental firm wants a hefty deposit for the hire.
It's in their T&Cs that they expect a 100% deposit for rentals like this.