LF gear for rent

[abhishek@1985]

Hi Friends,

Well so I had the rarest of opportunity to try out a Tachihara 4x5 in the cold temparatures of Northern Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior and needless to say "I AM HOOKED TO IT". Don't have words to thank Joel Truckenbrod of giving me the rarest opportunity to use his.

Now, that I have used it once and taken a couple of pics, I wanted to have one rented over the course of 1 week to try out more before I jumped into buying one field camera.

So, request you guys to let me know if you are aware of a place where I can rent out a Large Format field camera like the Tachihara,Shen Hao , Wista , Zone VI , a normal 135-180mm lens and some holders.

This would greatly help me to decide if i am ready to take the plunge yet or not.

Oh, I am from Minneapolis

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[jp498]

The cost and legwork of renting something might be the same or more as buying something used on ebay and [theoretically] selling it when you are done.

 

[pbromaghin]

West Photo on University rents LF. http://www.westphoto.com/rental.html

But JP498 is right. The cost for a few day's rent will get you some pretty passable equipment. I'm about $500 into it for full kit with a Cambo Legend, which is as good as any. One can easily pay quite a bit less than I did to try it.

Here's the per day prices from their website
SINAR
F1 4x5 Camera $25.00
P2 4x5 Camera $40.00
6" or 12" Extension Rail $5.00
Bellows Lens Hood $10.00
4x5 Bag or Standard Bellows $6.00
4x5 F2 Front Standard w/Bellows $10.00

SCHNEIDER
58mm 5.6 Super Angulon XL $20.00
120mm 5.6 Makro Symmar HM $20.00
150mm 5.6 Apo Symmar $20.00
210mm 5.6 Apo Symmar $20.00

NIKKOR LARGE FORMAT
90mm 4.5 SW $25.00

 

[Trail Images]

Abhishek , nice to hear you've had a chance to break into LF even if just on a trial basis so far. What really drew me to reply was Joel Truckenbroad's name in your comment. I have not spoken to Joel in several years now. Nice to know he is still out and about doing LF work.
Say hello to Joel if you speak with him soon........tell him Paul B. from So Cal says hello.

 

[pbromaghin]

Abhishek, if you were a subscriber you could get in on this deal, right here on apug:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)