Investing vs. Splurging: Ways to Save and Try Before you Buy!

Source: "Camera Collection Art Print." Jim Golden Studio. Jim Golden, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

You invest a great deal in your education, from books and tuition to software and new gear. The prices add up SO quickly. I know it’s hard. I know you want to skimp. The truth is, though, that to get the most out of your classes and subsequent career, it is vital to work with quality gear. Some people may tell you “it’s worth the cost, you’ll use it again…” but if you’re not interested in studio portrait work you probably don’t want to purchase a brand new set of lights and an expensive backdrop that will end up collecting dust in the back of a closet. This week, I hope to help you navigate the world of used and rented gear! Renting will allow you to test out higher-quality equipment without committing to it, and finding refurbished or like-new used gear can save you money on what you need to run your business.

In a perfect world, you'd have a dear friend with a fully-stocked photo studio who lets you borrow anything you like. If you do, read no further - you're the luckiest student in the program! In reality, though, the class lists of required equipment probably give you a little (or a lot of) anxiety. With so many local photographic suppliers going out of business, you may not have any stores near you that allow for rentals. Following are online options for renting gear and buying used equipment.

Online Rental Companies

Renting makes sense when you have one or two projects you can shoot within a short time. Renting for a full class will be much more expensive. However, say you want to make a bigger impact on one big portrait project. Renting an 85mm f/1.4 Nikon lens will run you around $58 for four days on LensRentals.com, and an AlienBees ring flash through BorrowLenses will cost about the same for three days. This arrangement will give you just enough time to play around with the equipment and have a shoot or two before you have to send it all back.

One of the most well known companies to rent from is BorrowLenses (BL). Check them out for everything from lenses to lighting! If you find that renting with BL works for you, they have a membership program that comes with benefits like discounts and free cancellations.

LensRentals.com (LR) works in a similar fashion to BL and seems to have slightly lower prices, including their membership program. LR has everything from backdrops to light meters at competitive rental prices.

The rental branch of Adorama, mentioned below for its used and refurbished stock, has a rent to buy program that allows you to try a piece of equipment before you commit to it forever. The company will refund a week's rental cost if you buy the same item from them within 30 days. 

Used Gear Suppliers

Companies like Nikon and Canon sell refurbished items on their respective sites, but there are other fantastic companies that offer wider selections. You'll have to do a little more legwork, as many online listings lack photographs. That makes it all the more important to buy from a reputable company, like the following:

Adorama has great customer service and fast shipping. Their stock of used items is impressive, and just type "refurbished" into the search bar if that's what you're looking for. My experience buying new equipment from them has been great, but I've yet to buy anything used here. 

B&H Photo Video is legendary in the photographic industry, and it has a used section and a refurbished section on its website. While it is important to be aware that the business closes for Jewish holidays (meaning no shipping, no sales accepted, etc.), as long as they are open they really take good care of you (and offer student discounts!). If you have the chance to visit the flagship store in New York City, DO IT! It's quite the experience. 

Cameta Camera also has a used section and a refurbished section. It seems to lack images more than other sites, so do your homework and make sure you're getting exactly what you want. 

With so many options for renting and used equipment, try comparing prices to get the best possible deal. It will (I hope) make your class requirement lists a bit less daunting! If you have experience with the companies listed or have other resources, please leave a comment and let us know!

Happy Friday!

-Friday Ambassador

Works Cited:

Adorama. "Used & Open Box Camera & Photographic Gear." Used & Open Box Gear at Adorama.com. Adorama, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

AdoramaRentals Ltd. "Adorama Rental Co." Adorama Rental Co. - Rent Online. AdoramaRentals Ltd., 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

B&H Photo Video. "Used Cameras/Photo Gear." B&H Photo Video. B&H Photo Video, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014

"BorrowLenses Home." BorrowLenses.com. BorrowLenses.com, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

Cade, D. L. "Calumet Photo in the US Officially Declares Bankruptcy, Gave Employees Zero Notice." PetaPixel Blog. PetaPixel, 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

"Camera Collection Art Print." Jim Golden Studio. Jim Golden, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

Cameta Camera. "Used Cameras & Photography Equipment." Used Photography Equipment. Cameta Camera Digital Camera Store, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.

"LensRentals.com." LensRentals.com Home. LensRentals.com, 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.