Renting Lenses in MD/Shooting in Vegas

[Twist]

I have seen several posts relating to renting lenses. I am wondering if there is anyone in Maryland that knows of places that rent. I dont know of any local camera stores other then Ritz to be honest.

I am going to Vegas in about a week. I have my 28-135IS, I am wondering if there would be another lens worth taking along with me for shooting the strip. I was thinking the 100-400L for some shot of people. They always make for a more interesting topic. Anyone shot Vegas during the day or not and have recommendations? I am guessing I should finally pick up a C Polarizing filter as well.

[Pyromaniac]

Try looking in the yellow pages. I don't think any of the chain stores like Ritz/Wolf do rentals. You need to find a local shop, they will most likely have lenes that are avalilabe for rent.

[Radtech1]

The 100-400 is a big conspicuous beast that might cause more problems with people shooting than it solves. Personally, I would leave it home. Just some observations about shooting / shots I have taken in Vegas:

1) The fountain at the Bellagio is a nice subject anytime, but especially at night. Bring a monopod.

2) Another stunning view of the fountain at the Bellagio is taken from the Paris Tower. The 28-135 just barely fits between the safety bars.

3) Another great view is from the Stratosphere tower. Especially at dusk. Speaking of the Stratosphere, if you are a thrill seeker, there is a roller coaster for God's sake wrapped around the top of it! If that's not your cup of tea, and this is a vacation with spouse/SO, then the Top of the World restaurant is the best, absolute bar none best, by several orders of magnitude best, dining you could ever hope to find. It is expensive, Marcia and I spent about $150 on dinner, dessert and tip - and neither one of us drink! But it is WORTH IT! Reserve a time about a week in advance. We are going to be there at 5:30 on Wednesday.

4) For night photography/people/street scenes then Freemont Street in the old Downtown is the place to be. There is an overhead light show that is amazing.

5) If nature/scenic is more your bag then Red Rock Canyon will offer some fantastic shots. It is not too far away, about 20 miles west of Vegas off Highway 159. It is a State Park and opens at 6:00 - just after dawn just right for nice long shadows! Also, and I have not been there personally, but I know that there is a reproduction old west mining town near by. Ask around.

6) Something that is out of the way but right on the Strip is the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. I have gotten some great flying dolphin shots there. It is not a show so much as it is a research facility. They are not trained (a la Sea World) and there are no performances per se. But, like dogs, dolphins love to interact and play with humans and the do have "interactions" with the trainers. And they are so close you can touch them - literally!

7) Off the subject of photography for a moment, the only MUST SEE that I recommend is Mystère at the Treasure Island. It is one the best iterations of the Cirque du Soleil show I have ever seen. What makes this one a cut above the rest is the fact that there is everything. Acrobatics, Circus Acts, Trapezes - just amazing. (Unlike "O" at the Bellagio - which is a water show. That makes "O" kind of a one trick pony - there is diving, and well, diving, and oh! there is diving. See the older and better Mystère. And again, reserve as early a possible.

Have fun, and if I see someone there next week with a DReb and a monestrous 100-400 stuck on the end of it, I will come up and say, "You just had to bring it, didn't you?"

Rad

[Twist]

Thanks for all the info Rad. This will actually be my third time out in vegas. I agree about the fountains from the paris tower at night. Took us 3 nights to actually be able to get up there though. One thing I havent done in my previous trips was make it down to the Stratosphere. It will be a must this time around. Yeah I have seen the rollercoaster and the vertical ride. Not my cup of tea and CERTAINLY not my wifes. lol

We are staying at the Treasure Island hotel but wont be doing Mystere this time around. We are going with my parents and my brother for his 21st birthday so our plans are kinda limited to what they want to do. The only show I think we are doing is Penn and Teller. I will take one day to myself to go run around and shoot pics so i dont have to lug the beast around. I still have my S40 for standard shots.

So if you are out on the strip around Feb 20th and encounter a strange creature with a 300D glued to face, hat on backwards and a blue tribal tattoo on his neck that will be me. I am easy to spot. lol

[wcstory]

Twist,

Can you rent lenses in Vegas instead of lugging from MD?

Do the Magic show and dinner theatre at Ceasars Palace!!

Go out to Lake Meade at dusk some really neat reflections off the lake. Really wished I had a more advanced camera when we were there last.

Bill

[thomascanty]

I agree with Radtech1, the 100-400 won't be of much use in Vegas. I have literally thousands of pictures all over the town and I've always gone with the wide angle lenses. I think I have maybe three or four pictures that I took with the 70-200. Everything else was using the 17-40.

He also has some excellent suggestions on what to do, but he forgot one: Valley of Fire. It is also a Nevada State Park, about 50 miles northeast of Vegas.

Oh, and Hoover Dam also!

And I'd add one more restraurant recommendation. The Steak House at Circus Circus. Really! It's been voted the best steak house in the city some number of years in a row, and it really is that good. Not very expensive, either. Three of us went there on Christmas Day, 2003 and spent about $100 including tip.

Have fun on your trip! I'm thinking of going back there sometime in March to climb Turtlehead Peak in Red Rock Canyon again before it gets too hot.

[CoolToolGuy]

Penn Camera rents lenses. Look here:

http://www.penncamera.com/services/rentals.asp

You must reserve it ahead of time. This may not be a busy time, but I would get right on it with such a short lead time.

Also, they only rent from the 'E' St. store in D.C. You must go to that store to pick it up and return it.

I have rented a 100-400 from them. The process was smooth.

Good luck.

Have Fun,

[sdommin]

Vegas isn't really the best place for people photography. Shooting people gambling in casinos is a definate no-no, and you'll promptly get thrown out. That leaves you with photographing people on the street, which is no different than photographing people anywhere else (so why bother?).

Night photos of all the bright lights will be your best opportunity, so bring your 28-135 and a tripod. If you have something a little wider, you might want to bring that, too.

[thomascanty]

Shooting people gambling in casinos is a definate no-no, and you'll promptly get thrown out.

Not necessarily.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47650

[Twist]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. We did the Caesars Magical Empire the first time that we were down there. It was a lot of fun. As for the best food I have encountered out there would have to be from the Paris Hotel. Mon Ami Gabbi beneath the effiel tower. Best steak I have ever had. The best breakfast buffet was at the Paris as well. Havent it made it over to the Rio Buffet though.

I think the 100-400 would be a bit much. Maybe I will just rent one locally next time I go down to the inner harbor of baltimore. I just always like how tourists come in all shapes and sizes.

I wish we had more time to be able to venture out into the surrounding areas. Would liked to have been able to get some nice sunset shots around a lake or something. Perhaps the next trip will be longer. Our trip was free so I am not want to complain.

[12345Michael54321]

I have seen several posts relating to renting lenses. I am wondering if there is anyone in Maryland that knows of places that rent. I dont know of any local camera stores other then Ritz to be honest.
Service Photo (http://www.servicephoto.com) rents all sorts of photographic equipment. They're in Baltimore, near Television Hill.

Modern Photo Supply (http://www.theshutterbug.com) is located off Reisterstown Rd., up in the northwestern part of Baltimore County. They're a pretty good store and they might rent gear, but I'm not sure.

Cooper's Camera Mart (http://www.cameramart.com.index.html) has been a family owned and run Baltimore photo institution for about 60 years now. Their Harford Rd. store is better than their newer place in Green Spring Station. I don't think they rent equipment, but they're definitely a step up from Ritz.

Those are my three favorite camera stores in the Baltimore area.

[Twist]

Thanks Michael... Thats exactly what I was looking for. I could find a list all day long of shops but to me they are just a name. I dont know if they are good or not as I dont know any other people into photography in the area. Shutterbug is right down the road from me. But for work I am all over MD. I will have to give those shops a try.

[12345Michael54321]

You're welcome. But I've got to tell you, unless I need something immediately, or it's just a little $5 item, I'm far more likely to mail order from B&H or KEH, or do the eBay thing, than I am to buy from one of the local stores. Because even the best local place doesn't have a fraction of B&H's selection, and what they do carry is usually priced high. I mean, I understand the concept of supporting local businesses, but there are limits, you know?

If you'd like to meet other Baltimore area photographers, the Baltimore Camera Club is the oldest photographic society in the USA, dating back to 1884 (when dinosaurs still roamed the plains of Maryland, and Kodachrome was available only in 25 speed). Details available at http://www.baltimorecameraclub.org . Membership's around $45/year, but non-members are welcome to attend club meetings; they just can't enter club competitions. And I think some area camera stores may offer a 10% discount to club members, so that could offset the expense for some people.

[CoolToolGuy]

Twist,

Modern Photo Supply has a lot of used equipment, but I don't think they rent, and in the last 2 years I have not seen any used EF lenses there, for sale or rent.

Service Photo might have something to rent, but their used EOS inventory is thin as well.

Cooper's (my favorite store) used to deal in used equipment, but they have been out of that for several years.

Check out Penn Camera.

Have Fun,