The woes of a lens rental program
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 09:43AM For a number of years I had a lens rental business on the side for my safari customers. I would transport either a 400mm f/4 or a 500mm f/4 to and from Africa for my customers, and then would deliver the lens at the beginning of a safari and then I would collect it at the end. Pretty slick deal if you ask me. The challenge was that I found that people were rarely interested in renting my 400mm f/4 DO lens, and always wanted my 500mm f/4. That put me in a bind, as I would often prefer to shoot with my 500mm on my Tanzania safaris. For my Botswana, South Africa and Namibia wildlife safaris I would prefer my 400mm DO, however most of my time spent in Africa until 2008 was done in Tanzania.
At the end of one of my rentals in 2007, I collected my 500mm f/4 lens to take back home with me. As you can see in the photo, there was some major damage to the lens. This is the sticky part, as I didn't inspect the lens until I got back home. After numerous emails with the traveler about the status of the lens, it was apparent to me that she had no interest in either coming clean or taking any responsibility for the damage of the lens. Contractually I was in a bind, as I didn't inspect the lens when I took it back from her. It was a crazy morning, as we were all boarding a bush plane flight and I didn't have the opportunity or time to do it on the spot. GRRRRRRR. Major GRRRRRRRR.
This is the main reason why I discontinued my lens rental program. Yes, I fixed the lens and sold the lens shortly after getting it back from Canon. I then bought another copy of the lens for good mental health.
If you are traveling with me to Africa, I have teamed up with a lens rental provider here in the USA, as well as one in South Africa. Please let me know if you would like this service available to you, and I can get you in touch with the appropriate party.
Reader Comments (5)
Andy,
For what it's worth, I can't recommend Paul at lensprotogo.com highly enough. He runs a first class operation over there and I'm sure would love to work with you on taking care of your customers.
Hi, I am heading to the Serengeti and can't seem to find any place to rent a Canon lens in Tanzania (ideally Arusha). If you are able to provide me with recommendations / rental partners, that would be great. Thanks.
Unfortunately, I don't know of any lens rental outfits that are based in Tanzania. I would try to find somebody locally.
I am travelling to Botswana in November via J'burg and wish to hire a long nikon lens (200-400 2.8) for a planned safari inthe Okovango Delta. Can anyone advise any companies i can use.
Matthew
Matthew-
I have a relationship with Borrowlenses.com, and they do a great job for all of my safari customers. Here is my own link to them, which often gives a better-than-advertised price:
http://www.borrowlenses.com/?blpid=andybiggsphoto
Andy