It’s no secret that some camera gear can be expensive, and some of it can be REALLY expensive. Investing in a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (which is at the top of my wish list!) would set someone back about $1900. Before spending that much money on a lens, it sure would be nice to take it for a test drive, so to speak.
How do you test drive camera equipment?
Rent it!
I’m aware of 3 companies that specialize in renting camera gear- Borrow Lenses, LensRentals, and LensProToGo. Despite their names, in addition to lenses all 3 rent cameras, lighting equipment and other accessories. I haven’t used Borrow Lenses (no particular reason, just haven’t), but I’ve used both LensRentals and LensProToGo on several occasions. In addition to the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, I’ve also rented the Nikon and the Sigma versions of the 70-200mm f/2.8 (here and here) and the Nikon 105mm macro lens, back in late 2010 (here and here). If anyone knows of other places to rent camera equipment, feel free to tell us in the comments section!
How about this treat? For the month of February, rent any piece of equipment from LensProToGo for 1 week, get a 2nd week FOR FREE! I couldn’t find it on the website, but if you enter “7daysfree” in the coupon code field, it will apply the discount.
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Knowing that I like to experiment with different camera gear, my mom got me a gift certificate from LensProToGo for Christmas. Once I saw the email announcing their February special, I figured I could splurge a little bit.
Never mind a lens, I went big, to a full-frame camera, the Nikon D700 
taken with my iPhone
On the left, my Nikon D90, on the right, the full-frame sensor, $2700 D700. (I never wrote about sensor sizes and why they can matter, have I? Might have to do that sooner or later.) This is basically the same imaging system in the pro-level D3, D3s and (I think) the new D4, but in a smaller, slightly less feature-laden package.
Honestly, I have no need for a camera like this, and even if I had that much spare change to spend on camera equipment, I’d upgrade some of my lenses first.
But, for the next 2 weeks I’m going to have fun playing with it!
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Whether you’re a pro who needs a certain lens for an assignment, a semi-pro looking to test some gear before making the investment or an amateur looking to “test drive” your first digital SLR, I highly recommend considering rental the gear first.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some photos to take this weekend….
