Memphis-based Lens Warehouse Lets You Try Before You Buy

Memphis-based Lens Warehouse Lets You Try Before You Buy

Here's the situation: you want to try out a fancy new camera lens before you buy it. Or, you're shooting a one-time event and need a lens that can shoot long distances / underwater / super close up, but don't want to commit to buying a lens that you'll rarely use.

That's where Memphis-based photo supply company LensRentals.com comes in. They've got a warehouse full of lenses for digital SLR cameras and video cameras that are available for rental.

Here's how it works - you check the LensRentals.com website to find the lens that you need. You rent it for a minimum of four days. The lens is shipped to you via second-day air. You use the lens to take awesome pictures, then return it via second-day air. After a lens is retired (usually when it's two years old or rents for a certain number of weeks), LensRentals.com sells it at a discounted price.

Lens Rentals warehouse, Memphis, Tenn.

According to Drew Cicala, the vice president of operations, Memphis is the perfect location because the geography, weather and shipping options (read, FedEx) are all ideal. Though they're based in Memphis, 99 percent of their business comes from outside of the city.

The 5 year-old company has grown 50 to 100 percent every year that they've been open. Last month, they rented more than 4300 lenses to commercial and private customers.

Though they have a warehouse, LensRentals.com is an entirely web-based company. They don't have a retail shop, and you can't go test out the lenses before you rent them. And while they allow locals to pick up their lenses to save on shipping, all orders have to be placed online.

To order a lens from LensRentals, visit their website.

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Amanda
Yay, LensRentals.com!! Such a great company, and customer service is so helpful. On a recent 2 week trip to Spain, I rented a super wide angle lens for around $100 that would have cost me around $800 to buy. Awesome Memphis company!
June 13, 2011 10:13pm
Chase
Have used them for a few years now. Love them. Incredible customer service.
June 14, 2011 8:57am
BILL AVERY
HI,  I AM TAKING A TRIP BEGINNING OCT 2, FOR ABOUT 8 TO 10 DAYS TO SAVANNAH G, FOR THEIR OCT. FEST.  I AM INTERESTED IN AN 85MM F-1.4  (G OR D) LENS FOR THE TRIP.  INTERESTED IN CHECKING-OUT THE BOKEN THAT THIS LENS IS RECOMMENDED TO GIVE.  DO YOU HAVE AND WHAT WOULD THE RENTAL BE FOR THAT TIMEFRAME.  I LIVE IN CORINTH, MS.  I SHOOT WITH A NIKON D-200.  IF THIS LENS DOES THE JOB I AM TOLD I WILL BE A CANIDATE TO BUY.  THANKS BILL
September 15, 2012 2:27pm