Welcome to our ultimate guide on renting camera lenses! If you’re on the hunt for the perfect lens but hesitant to invest in expensive camera equipment, you’re in the right place. With so many options available online, choosing the best lens rental site can feel overwhelming. But fear not, we’re here to help!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top lens rental recommendations and share valuable insights on how to make the right choice. Whether you need a lens for a one-time event or occasional use, renting can be a cost-effective solution. We’ll discuss the pros and cons, and provide expert ratings for our favorite rental options.
So, let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of lens rentals, and discover how to avoid any potential disappointments along the way. Let’s get started on your photography journey!
Key Takeaways
- When renting camera lenses, it’s important to consider hidden fees, returns policy, insurance coverage, and the compatibility of the lens with your gear.
- Shopping around and comparing different rental options, such as daily cost vs memberships vs subscriptions, can help you find the best deal for your needs.
- BorrowLenses.com is a popular lens rental option in the USA, offering a wide selection of brands, free shipping for orders over $149, and a flexible “risk-free” rentals policy.
- BorrowLenses.com is backed by a team of experts who are familiar with camera equipment, providing added peace of mind when renting.
- Conducting due diligence and knowing exactly what you need can help you avoid disappointment and make the most out of your lens rental experience.
- Lensrentals is a reliable and established option for renting camera equipment with a wide selection of lenses from popular brands such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Leica, Pentax, and more.
- Lensrentals offers curated packages for specific needs, making it convenient for photographers with different requirements.
- ShareGrid is a community-driven camera-sharing platform with a sizeable selection of equipment, but availability may vary depending on your location.
- Community-driven platforms like ShareGrid can be more effective in big cities compared to rural areas.
- It’s worth exploring both Lensrentals and ShareGrid to find the best option for your camera equipment rental needs, considering factors like location, convenience, and insurance options.
- Parachut offers three subscription tiers, ranging from $250 to $500 per month, with access to different levels of equipment.
- Shipping is included in the subscription cost, which can save money for those who rent a lot of equipment.
- Optional insurance is available for an additional cost, starting at $50, and is recommended for renters to consider.
- FatLama is a community-driven camera equipment rental platform, primarily for customers in the UK, especially in London.
- Renters should consider their specific needs and location when choosing between different camera equipment rental services.
Best Lens Rental – Things to Consider
We make some pretty good suggestions lower down. That said, it’s still worth knowing what you should keep in mind when shopping. The more prepared you are when renting, the easier it will be to avoid the sharks. Read on to learn more.
Check for Hidden Fees
Unfortunately, the hourly rate you’ll be paying isn’t the only cost you’ll have to consider. It’s worth checking what other hidden fees you might have to deal with. Checking which party covers insurance, for example, is a big one that some people overlook.
Most sites offer insurance as part of the experience, but it’s definitely worth double-checking this before pulling the trigger. Shipping and subscription costs are also part of the experience on some sites. A little due diligence can go a long way here.
Look at the Returns Policy
No one enters into a rental agreement expecting to be late when returning things, but sometimes life happens. Be sure to double-check the late fees that each seller or site uses when you’re browsing online.
It’s best to know how much you’d be burnt before actually having to deal with it in real life.
Daily Cost VS Memberships VS Subscriptions
Most people will go with a small daily or hourly payment when renting. This often works out as the best deal, but it can sometimes be more cost-effective to choose other means to pay.
For example, some sites offer membership schemes that significantly reduce the cost of renting over time. Other owners offer subscription models that unlock different perks and savings.
Shop around a little and see what works best for your circumstances.
Insurance Coverage
If you break or damage the equipment you’re renting, will you be personally liable? This is the first question you should ask yourself before renting. To be honest, the answer is usually no, but it’s definitely worth making sure.
Is insurance covered by the rental site, the lender, or by you? This is another big one. Most sites advertise their insurance coverage pretty clearly. Read it closely before pulling the trigger.
Know Exactly What You Need
The world of camera accessories is chock full of different brand names, lens mounts, and proprietary connection systems. Renting a lens that isn’t actually compatible with your gear can be very frustrating.
Some inexperienced lenders can even mistake which product they’re offering (check previous reviews to work against this problem). Your best bet is to know exactly which lens model you’re looking for to reduce confusion as much as possible.
Best Lens Rental Company – Our Top Picks
Right – let’s get into it. The list below contains some of the best camera lens rental sites available in 2021. We’ve considered availability, price, and convenience when curating the list below.
Read on to find the best option for you!
BorrowLenses.com
BorrowLenses.come is probably the most popular option for renters in the USA. It offers a sizable collection, easy-to-understand renting options, and a level of availability that some other sites just can’t match.
If you’ve ever rented lenses online before, chances are you used this site.
Selection
In terms of brand coverage, BorrowLenses does a pretty great job here. Options are available from the following:
- Canon
- Sony
- Nikon
- DJI
- Panasonic
- Others
This coverage may vary from month to month, but it seems pretty decent. If you’re not near a local seller, there are shipping packages available. In fact, if your rental comes to more than $149, you’ll get free standard UPS shipping thrown in for good measure.
‘Risk-Free Rentals’
One thing we like about this option is their ‘risk-free’ rentals policy. It’s possible to cancel or completely change your order at any time as long as it hasn’t shipped yet. This kind of flexibility can add a great deal of peace of mind when renting.
Backed by Experts
The BorrowLenses team is a little different from some other rental sites out there. Their staff is intimately familiar with camera equipment and how to use it. They regularly make video and visual content themselves.
This means you’re renting from a company that actually values the products that you’re looking for. When renting from an independent lender, this can be tough to find.
Verdict
The selection, free shipping, and expert backing that come with BorrowLenses all seem great. If you’re going to cancel or change your order, just make sure you do it before it’s actually shipped.
Lensrentals
Next up is another fantastic site called Lensrentals. These guys feature an impressive selection of camera equipment that can all be rented for way less than you might expect. If you’re new to lens renting, they might just be worth checking out.
Selection
As with the other sites featured on this page, Lensrentals has a ton of choice when it comes to both camera lenses and existing brands. They offer products from the following:
- Canon
- Nikon
- Sony
- Fujifilm
- Leica
- Micro 4/3 lenses
- Pentax
- More
Remember that this collection is changing all the time and your mileage may vary slightly. Shipping with this site is reasonable, but a little more expensive than some other options. Prices start at $25 and increase in increments of $5 per extra item.
Smart Packages
One thing that stood out to us when reviewing Lensrentals is the site’s ‘packages’ feature. In short, this makes it possible to rent curated bundles of useful equipment. Let’s say you’re a wedding photographer who needs to rent all the necessary gear – there’s a package for that.
Doing an underwater shoot? There’s a package for that. You get the idea.
Buying Options
If you rent something through Lensrentals and decide you love it enough to buy, we’ve got some good news for you. Their sister site, Lensauthority.com, makes it super easy to make things official.
Verdict
These guys have been operating since 2006 and their experience really shows. The size of their catalogue and the breadth of their offerings make this site one of the best places to rent lenses in 2021.
ShareGrid
Now for something a little different. ShareGrid is community-driven. Lenders can create a profile on their site and offer their products to prospective renters. ShareGrid claims to be the “largest, most trusted camera sharing community” in the world.
While the selection here is sizable, your specific location may impact what’s available to you.
Selection
The strength of a community-driven service can also be its downfall. Your area and its local sellers will determine what you’re able to rent through this platform. Usually, it’s possible to find options from the following brands:
- Canon
- Sony
- Fujifilm
- Pentax
- Leica
- More
If you’re somewhere like New York, you’ll probably be fine. Living somewhere more rural? Don’t hold your breath.
Insurance Options
As you’ll be renting from individuals rather than a big company, the insurance options here are worth a little scrutiny. Luckily, ShareGrid provides access to a range of coverage options to suit a variety of different needs.
Be sure to check out this support page before renting if you’re unsure.
Used by Industry Titans
The ShareGrid service is trusted by some pretty huge names in the content creation industry. The likes of Disney, AmazonStudios, HBO, and Facebook have all used the site to source equipment or other services.
This kind of trust from big names usually indicates a consistent track record and at least a decent level of quality.
Verdict
It all comes down to your location with this one. Community-driven sites are often amazing, but they definitely work better if you’re in a big city. At any rate, it’s worth checking out what’s available no matter where you are – you may just strike gold.
Parachut
This is an excellent option for working professionals who need access to a constantly changing array of camera equipment. As a subscription-based service, things work a little differently here. It’s likely too expensive for more casual users, but might be just what the pros are looking for.
Subscription Tiers
Three subscription tiers are available at this rental site. Tier 1 costs around $250 a month and gives basic access to some equipment. If you’re just after lenses, this option might be ok.
The good news is that your gear can be kept without any return dates, just keep paying your subscription for as long as you need the gear. Tier 2 unlocks some more advanced gear and costs $399.
For around $500 a month, you’ll have access to the complete Parachut catalogue. If you need the latest and best equipment, this might be the only subscription level that makes sense.
Shipping Included
While the monthly cost associated with this option is certainly expensive, you won’t have to pay a penny more for shipping. If you plan on renting a ton of equipment every month, you can save a fair bit of money with a service like this.
Optional Insurance
Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t come as standard with Parachut. However, it can be purchased as an optional extra that starts at $50. We recommend at least considering this option as renting without coverage can be very risky.
Verdict
The monthly cost of this site will put a lot of more casual users off, and that’s ok. Parachut is designed for pros who need access to a huge catalogue of cutting-edge equipment. If this sounds like you, we recommend giving it a go.
FatLama (UK Customers)
Last, but certainly not least, is FatLama. If you’re based in the UK – especially in London – this will probably be the best site to check out when looking for camera lenses. This is another community-driven platform.
This means that the selection could be phenomenal, but it could also let you down. It all depends on where you live.
Selection
If you’re based in London, the selection on FatLama seems to be pretty great. Expect to find lenses from the following brands:
- Canon
- Sony
- Leica
- Red
- Fujifilm
- Much more
Just remember that if you’re in a smaller town or city, a community-driven page might not be what you’re looking for.
Lender Guarantee
In terms of insurance coverage, you shouldn’t have much to worry about here. The site’s ‘lender guarantee’ covers each individual rented item up to the value of £25,000. This means that in the unlikely event that you damage what you’ve rented, you won’t have to fork out hundreds in damages.
Best Camera Lens Rental Site – Our Verdict
In conclusion, we hope our tips and recommendations have been helpful in guiding you towards the best lens rental option for your needs. Your location, budget, and equipment requirements are important factors to consider. If you’re in a bustling city, a community-driven site may offer great deals, while those in quieter areas could benefit from free shipping options on sites like BorrowLenses.com. Professionals needing a wide range of equipment may find Parachut to be an excellent choice.
Remember to thoroughly review important details such as hidden fees, insurance coverage, and return policies before making your final decision. Knowledge is power, and being well-informed will help you avoid any potential disappointments. So, whether you’re capturing memories or creating art, renting lenses can be a practical and cost-effective solution.
Now, armed with the right knowledge, you’re ready to embark on your photography journey with confidence. Don’t hesitate to explore your options, make informed choices, and capture stunning shots with the perfect lens. Happy shooting!
