'L' Lenses... why rent?

[Adam Hicks]

I thought about renting a 135mm f2 for a few events, but then realized that we have the luxury of being able to purchase and use items with amazing resale value! How many things retain value like this almost-regardless of age? BH Sells the US 135mm L for $899.00, but people pay almost that for a used version of unknown age...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=38351750 31&rd=1

So seeing this with many of the L Lenses, I'm going to buy new from B&H, and sell it when I'm done with it. My cost per use will be far less than renting a few times!

Just an observation (although a pleasing one to me that helps me justify the expense to the wife!)

Adam

[kufel]

how much is renting anyway?

[robertwgross]

In my neck of the woods, the rental cost for a big lens is anywhere from 5% to 10% of the new cost, per rental day.

---Bob Gross---

[who10]

how much is renting anyway?

I have rented the 70-200f2.8 IS for $25 per weekend (fri rentals at my local dealer can be kept until 7:30am Mon for the price of one day). After a couple times I was completely sold on the lens and bought one of my own.
For those near Portland Or (US) here's a link
http://www.prophotosupply.com/Pro%20Photo/rental.html

Note: It's on a "you break it, you buy it" disclaimer...

[CoolToolGuy]

I rented the 100-400 L to see how I liked it. It is a great lens, but I found out I want something longer than 400mm, so I'm glad I didn't buy it. Even if I got a 90% return on a resale, that is a lot of cash to shell out.

Have Fun,

[Koontsa]

Around here it's $10 a day, $15 a weekend, and $40 for a week. I thought that was pretty reasonable.

You are right though, the resale value is so high that you shouldn't notice much loss if you go through the right outlets.