Loaning equipment

Thecageyone

Surprised there's not a trade/loan thread here, if it's not allowed, lock away. But I doubt there's a harm in it.

I think it'd be cool for those of us on very limited budgets to request gear on a loan basis, it would be very handy if you have an upcoming job that requires some specific weaponry.

I have my sister's wedding to do in June for example, and I'd love to have the opportunity to borrow a good Portrait/macro lens for it. Also an f/1.8/1.4 prime, just for the few days around it.

Obviously there would be a lot of trust involved, you're not going to lend a completely new member with 1 post your beloved 70-200 f/2.8! But that will be completely up to yourself. Should be more a request and await offers thread, so there's no refusal, only offers.

What do you lot think? Arrangments for swaps would be up to the loaner and loanee.

For a start, i'd love to borrow a Nikon macro lens for a couple of weeks. I am intending to buy one when I can scrape enough together, I just want to be certain. In return to whoever was willing, I would hand over some of my gear as insurance.

It'll be great to see results from the loaned gear also.

kevinhalvey

you can rent from several different stores which are set up for this

http://www.connscameras.ie/equipment-rental-243749cm2.html

http://www.dml.ie/rental.asp

Thecageyone

Renting isn't cheap, and they ask for a security payment on top. Hence the idea to temp-trade for free. But that is something I probably will do when the time comes. i won't be getting paid for my sister's wedding, it's my gift to her. Don't want to spend a small fortune renting used gear.

Hugh_C

In principle I think it's a good idea, but how would you handle a situation whereby a piece of kit gets lost or damaged? That's why Conn's take a hefty deposit and look for id. My insurance wouldn't cover my equipment under someone else's control.

Say I gave you my 50mm f/1.8 for a loaner and you went off to shoot your sister's wedding and your father and her father-in-law had too much to drink and started a scrap, say you dove in to get some, eh, action shots of a perfect uppercut but got a little too close and the camera connected with a 27 tier layer cake and submerged into 6 inches of cream. What then? 'Sorry dude, your lens went into 6 inches of cream' wouldn't cut the mustard as it were.

There'd have to be some class of contract to cover misadventure like that.

PCPhoto

Hugh_C wrote: »

My insurance wouldn't cover my equipment under someone else's control.

There'd have to be some class of contract to cover misadventure like that.

My insurance only allows me to loan gear to other professionals....I specifically asked for to be allowed to loan out gear as I always get asked can I borrow this ...or borrow that.

Fajitas!

There is some lending going on here, but it's kept to PM, there doesn't need to be a thread saying "I'm turning up here with my €2,400 lens". And it's generally only between people who know and/or trust each other (I guess that's the clique the OP always gives out about :pac:).

If anyone I lent gear to broke something, and it wasn't covered by insurance, I would expect the repair/replacement to be covered.

sineadw

Do you have a medium format with a metered viewfinder I could borrow al? I have that 120 colour infrared film coming and need something I'm not fiddling about with external metering to make my life a bit easier. Dakar's bronica has one that controls the lens shutter too, but he smells (and is in Sligo).

Fajitas!

I've a Mamiya 645Pro if that's any good to you Sinead? Waist level viewfinder and metered prism, 110mm and 80mm. PM when & where suits!

Might have a roll or two of Col. neg with it

sineadw

Grand so:) I have that 4 lens polaroid here if you want to swap. Snarah's taking custody tonight for a bit though.

DaireQuinlan

sineadw wrote: »

blah blah blah except for the bit about dakar, which is probably true

Speaking of which, I want my go on the four-eyed instantocular wonder, damnit ! Also, must get that stuff from MB, moar PMs are in order methinks.

Fajitas!

Oh, Daire, will send you a PM about that SX70. I have some 35mm B&W slide film too if you wanna try!

sineadw

Just give me a shout Daire. I'm keeping Snarah on a tight leash. She could run off to belgium with it and all.

kensutz

Al, can I loan some of your Hassy gear? Been dying to try it out lately.

Fajitas!

No probs K. Will be in Waterford next week. Give me a PM.

AnimalRights

Ken your 400 2.8L I would'nt mind having a go at to try my hand at an upcoming game, hell can you even throw in ur Accreditation and ur little chair?

Cagey as someone said earlier U just post when u need a loan of something, I've loaned to a fair few here but ofc I only loaned if they were people I knew here for at least 13 months.

sineadw

Actually, would anyone have a loan of a 5x4 fuji back by any chance?

sineadw

Peel apart that is..

ihastakephoto

Hey Al, did I see that you had a sweet canon portrait lens, I think I saw it on one of your posts... Anyway, I borrowed a canon body, not sure which number it is, just to see if wanted to swap systems, would love a borrow if you're feeling generous, I can give you some of my film stuff as security (if needed)

Cheers,
Keith
Ps love your recent stuff

stabo

sineadw wrote: »

Actually, would anyone have a loan of a 5x4 fuji back by any chance?

Whats that Sinead?

Paulw

PCPhoto wrote: »

My insurance only allows me to loan gear to other professionals.

I've the same clause. To other professionals is fine, but a very large percentage of posters here are not professionals, so gear would not be insured when loaning to them.

I have, on many occasions, loaned out gear to people on boards. But, I would only do it to people I knew, and someone I feel I could trust. I have been burned on boards before, but nothing too serious.

It's a case of being cautious and knowing who you are dealing with.

sineadw

stabo wrote: »

Whats that Sinead?

It's an instant film back for a large format camera. I use them to take test shots for lf film portraits. The one I have use of is polaroid, but I'm almost out of film and it's impossible to get. Fuji sell 5x4 peel apart film, but the back is different and expensive..

Thecageyone

It's very simple lads. Why the confusion? Someone asks for a loan of something and you only offer if you want to. You don't have to explain why you can't or won't. I'm sure swaps do go on, and pm would be the way to set up after request. Thought that should go without saying. As for this pro thing, well only lend to another pro in that case. Again, the idea is you don't have to say no, only yes or nothing.

stabo

I think if you put up what you have and are willing to lend and let someone else make the offer of ok ill swap you this X lens and so on. Also have a clear agreement of how much lens cost if anything should happen,and how quickly you can pay them back.

Thecageyone

Thecageyone wrote: »

Obviously there would be a lot of trust involved, you're not going to lend a completely new member with 1 post your beloved 70-200 f/2.8! But that will be completely up to yourself. Should be more a request and await offers thread, so there's no refusal, only offers.

What do you lot think? Arrangments for swaps would be up to the loaner and loanee.

For a start, i'd love to borrow a Nikon macro lens for a couple of weeks. I am intending to buy one when I can scrape enough together, I just want to be certain. In return to whoever was willing, I would hand over some of my gear as insurance.

It'll be great to see results from the loaned gear also.

The idea is you hand over some gear as close to the value of the loaned gear, if you break something, you pay for replacement (or be shamed on here) - that's part of the reason for the requests and confirms open, not via pm. of course you make arrangements by pm, but it's there for all to see who has what belonging to whom. Again, it's a Trust thing. Not everyone will want high end stuff either. I borrowed a kit lens through here before, because I was going to view a Nikon and I was using Sony at the time. It was sent back in one piece, just so you know

I don't get people saying why they wont loan stuff, just don't say anything at all, don't offer.

Also listing stuff you can offer is leaving yourself open to refusing someone, say you don't like them, and you're bitter like that ...

Best just say you are willing to loan out when someone asks. Then make the conditions clear.

stabo

Thecageyone wrote: »

The idea is you hand over some gear as close to the value of the loaned gear, if you break something, you pay for replacement (or be shamed on here) - that's part of the reason for the requests and confirms open, not via pm. of course you make arrangements by pm, but it's there for all to see who has what belonging to whom. Again, it's a Trust thing. Not everyone will want high end stuff either. I borrowed a kit lens through here before, because I was going to view a Nikon and I was using Sony at the time. It was sent back in one piece, just so you know

I don't get people saying why they wont loan stuff, just don't say anything at all, don't offer.

Also listing stuff you can offer is leaving yourself open to refusing someone, say you don't like them, and you're bitter like that ...

Best just say you are willing to loan out when someone asks. Then make the conditions clear.

What im saying is stick up what you have and see if anyone wants to swap with you.

Thecageyone

Problem is though, if someone asks for a loan of something on your list then, you might have to say no, if they're fairly new, live too far away ... or some other reason. I like the idea of no refusals, just offers, to keep it all positive.

spinandscribble

Thecageyone wrote: »

Problem is though, if someone asks for a loan of something on your list then, you might have to say no, if they're fairly new, live too far away ... or some other reason. I like the idea of no refusals, just offers, to keep it all positive.

then within all reason, do likewise. pop up what you're willing to trade with and what for.


I'm gonna have to wait until I'm back in ireland for this but i'd be hella interested in the polaroid four lens and i've a polaroid land 110b but its fuji peel apart film ready.

The only issue I see with this thread, is that it has the potential to start bugging some of the users a lot.

The thread sorta seperates people into two groups. I mean, when is PCPhoto ever going to need a lend of something? The guy is more than well equipped. On the other hand, when am I ever going to have something worth lending?

I think this helps create a bit of a moocher syndrome where most boardsies who aren't very well equipped, might start taking jobs or doing other bits and pieces once they get comfortable getting lends of other people's equipment.

If I were in PCPhoto's shoes, I'd be fairly quickly pissed off with the amount of requests (and no doubt PMs) that will be sure to follow when people see he helps out a lot early on. I think that could possibly lead to some users getting annoyed and not visiting the forum as much?



I'm covering a football game today. Only found out yesterday afternoon. First time I'll ever be covering any kind of sport. Was going to go looking for a place to rent a lens, as the only telephoto I have is most likely not gonna be much use, but I wouldn't feel too comfortable asking for a lend of it for nothing.

Plus it only takes a poorly kicked football in the wrong direction, and I'm in serious amounts of debt to another photographer.


Just a thought. (Though saying that, If i were planning to buy a fairly expensive lens, I'd probably muster up the courage to ask for a guide of it by a user who has one, as I'd like to get a hands-on before dropping hundreds of euro on something like that).

Thecageyone

the guys with the best gear do not have to participate, nobody does. You're depending on trust and generosity, but nobody is expected to offer up just because. I would completely understand why people wont want to hand over high end gear, that's why you don't ask someone specific. Just leave the request open. It's not about asking certain people for what you know they have. That would get messy. Just say what you'd like to try out, and either someone offers ... or not. No hard feelings involved.

ThOnda

I can see that you become a bit lazy to meter manually now, sineadw
But in fairness, with the quirkiest hardware and materials you are using, I am not surprised

AnCatDubh

It has happened many times before around the forum. Usually what happens is for a request to be posted - on the forum ie. i'm looking for a 35mm pentax prime f2.8 or better on 28th Feb and would anyone have a loan (simple as that), and then whomever wants to or feels that way inclined may offer a loan - if they don't, it's no big deal and avoids people potentially being bugged for loans if they don't feel constantly feel like being generous/adventurous. Plus because some people will have met up and established a trusting relationship with others, some may be more inclined to loan to certain forum members and not to others - again, that's no big deal - no different than most real life scenarios.

Thecageyone

Not everyone will be brave enough to shout out for a loan of a lens , say, in a new thread. But basically, what you said there is the idea behind this. And keeps it in one place. Nobody is to ask specific members for anything, just say what they would like, and wait. if they get no response, then nobody has it for loan, simple.

PCPhoto

Deleted User wrote: »

The only issue I see with this thread, is that it has the potential to start bugging some of the users a lot.

The thread sorta seperates people into two groups. I mean, when is PCPhoto ever going to need a lend of something? The guy is more than well equipped. On the other hand, when am I ever going to have something worth lending?

I think this helps create a bit of a moocher syndrome where most boardsies who aren't very well equipped, might start taking jobs or doing other bits and pieces once they get comfortable getting lends of other people's equipment.

If I were in PCPhoto's shoes, I'd be fairly quickly pissed off with the amount of requests (and no doubt PMs) that will be sure to follow when people see he helps out a lot early on. I think that could possibly lead to some users getting annoyed and not visiting the forum as much?



I'm covering a football game today. Only found out yesterday afternoon. First time I'll ever be covering any kind of sport. Was going to go looking for a place to rent a lens, as the only telephoto I have is most likely not gonna be much use, but I wouldn't feel too comfortable asking for a lend of it for nothing.

Plus it only takes a poorly kicked football in the wrong direction, and I'm in serious amounts of debt to another photographer.


Just a thought. (Though saying that, If i were planning to buy a fairly expensive lens, I'd probably muster up the courage to ask for a guide of it by a user who has one, as I'd like to get a hands-on before dropping hundreds of euro on something like that).

Most of the time I've no problem in loaning out gear - infact at the moment about 15-20K worth is with other people.....I had a list of stuff on my computer and dunno where some of it is.

If I'm not using a lens and its convenient for me to give and get it back from someone then no problem - if its not too late you can borrow some gear to cover the football game - I'm usually happy enough that the person is able to do what they need to do ... sometimes I try to hang around and offer assistance (as back up) .

might need to check it out for definate but have been told that since star sunday is gone the star staffers are getting the schoolboy soccer ...so that means I should have Saturdays free (which means some of my gear will be available) .... also means I'm gonna be down about 15K a year but can try make the money elsewhere.

magicbastarder

i don't know any of you, so all i am offering to loan out is my impeccable sense of taste.

humberklog

magicbastarder wrote: »

i don't know any of you, so all i am offering to loan out is my impeccable sense of taste.

Bugger, I was gonna borrow that funny looking wooden shoe box off ye:pac:.

Methinks that system's not broke. Like any community you gain some provenance and trust and riches will follow in bountiful supply. But for tyhe serious blagger I recommend moving next door to PC.

artyeva

i only loan to those who don't have a history of breaking stuff, and if you have kids, you will need to provide a written & legally binding contract that yer offspring will be within a radius of no smaller than 4 miles from the gear at any time. oh, and people i actually like.

so - who wants some 35mm film slrs and lo-fi digital crap? :rolleyes:

dinneenp

AnCatDubh wrote: »

It has happened many times before around the forum. Usually what happens is for a request to be posted - on the forum ie. i'm looking for a 35mm pentax prime f2.8 or better on 28th Feb and would anyone have a loan (simple as that), and then whomever wants to or feels that way inclined may offer a loan - if they don't, it's no big deal and avoids people potentially being bugged for loans if they don't feel constantly feel like being generous/adventurous. Plus because some people will have met up and established a trusting relationship with others, some may be more inclined to loan to certain forum members and not to others - again, that's no big deal - no different than most real life scenarios.

I'm have a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (pentax fit) but I'm in Galway. I'd be willing but need to know for long etc.
PM me with details and we'll see. what Pentax lenses do you have, could work out good for both if we have some that each is interested in. I'm going to buy a prime 1.8 or quicker lens at some stage and would be happy if I could borrow one...and a macro, wide angle......

In relation to the general idea I think it could be good. The first guideline would be 'if it doesn't come back in same condition it left it'd be up to the borrower to fix/replace it'.
Others I'd imagine- a lender and a borrower be. As in if you're going to borrow offer to return the favor.
a suggestion could be start with a 'sharing walk', you get to try my lens, I get to try yours but you don't have to let it to someone else when you're not around.
Cheers,
Pa.
Cheers,
Pa.

dinneenp

Paulw wrote: »

I have, on many occasions, loaned out gear to people on boards. But, I would only do it to people I knew, and someone I feel I could trust. I have been burned on boards before, but nothing too serious.

out of curiosity can you say how without naming names?

Kintarō Hattori

dinneenp wrote: »

I'm have a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (pentax fit) but I'm in Galway. I'd be willing but need to know for long etc.
PM me with details and we'll see. what Pentax lenses do you have, could work out good for both if we have some that each is interested in. I'm going to buy a prime 1.8 or quicker lens at some stage and would be happy if I could borrow one...and a macro, wide angle......

I think ACD was giving that as an example and isn't actually looking for the lend of a lens, though fair play to you.

dinneenp

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I think ACD was giving that as an example and isn't actually looking for the lend of a lens, though fair play to you.

True; cheers.
I just read the first post or two and then did a search for (the uncommon amongst users) Pentax lens.

PCPhoto

PCPhoto wrote: »

Most of the time I've no problem in loaning out gear - infact at the moment about 15-20K worth is with other people.....I had a list of stuff on my computer and dunno where some of it is.

If I'm not using a lens and its convenient for me to give and get it back from someone then no problem - if its not too late you can borrow some gear to cover the football game - I'm usually happy enough that the person is able to do what they need to do ... sometimes I try to hang around and offer assistance (as back up) .

might need to check it out for definate but have been told that since star sunday is gone the star staffers are getting the schoolboy soccer ...so that means I should have Saturdays free (which means some of my gear will be available) .... also means I'm gonna be down about 15K a year but can try make the money elsewhere.

... And it's that attitude that has made you one of my favourite boards posters.

I genuinely appreciate that you would offer me anything at all. It's a terribly nice thing to do. But with all things, we have to consider worst case scenarios.

If I get a lend of your Canon 100-1,000 1.4 L lens, that cost you €2,500, and a football is aimed wrong, and all I can give you back is some broken glass, how happy are you going to be?

Firstly, you'll hate me. Secondly, the reason I asked for a lend of the lens is because I couldn't afford it: Are you gonna be happy taking €20 per week off me for three years to cover the cost of it? So you either have to make another dent in your wallet, or wait three years to replace it.


Don't get me wrong, Cagey, I'm not trying to knock this thread at all. I think the general idea is a good one. I do think there should be some etiquette involved though. I think a contract should be signed. If anything goes wrong, the lendee pays for, or suitably replaces, the broken gear in X amount of time. Just anything at all that can help reassure the lender that they won't be dropping hundreds of euro because they were being selfless.


I would love to feel comfortable asking for lends of stuff on here. And who knows, maybe someday I'll build up such courage (though I do like working with my current gear. It can be frustrating due to its downfalls, but it's a great way to appreciate better kit, in my opinion).


At the same time, as aspiring photographers, I don't understand the point in getting loans of gear.

I'd love to have had an L quality telephoto lens today for the football game. I was using a 40-150 f/3.5-4.5 on my Olympus E-420. The photos aren't abysmal, but they're nothing you'll drop your jaw looking at, either. I needed a better reach on my telephoto and I needed a faster lens in general. The E-420 is a lovely camera in my opinion, but it's not good with high ISO. Had I got a decent Canon telephoto, the photos today would no doubt have been a million times better.

But what use would it really do me? If someone sees those shots and says "wow, they're great, will you photograph at my game, next week?", how do you react? You either show up with your own gear and let the person down because the shots aren't as good as the ones he seen, or you go looking for a lend of the lens again. Neither of which are good options, in my opinion.


Like I say, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to kill the thread, or the general generosity on this forum. I do just think that there are a few things that people should run through their head before they lend or request gear.



... That said, PCPhoto, you wouldn't have a 7D and 70-200 f/2.8 L IS you're not using?

:pac:

dinneenp

I'd imagine that most people wouldn't borrow something that they couldn't afford to replace. As much as I'd love yo have a telezoom f2,8 for a week to play with if it's costing >€1,000 I dint think I'd take it.
No pictures would come out in focus anyway as I'd be shaking with nerves to much....

Thecageyone

The thread isn't about Pcphoto's gear, it's only for anyone willing. But 3 pages of concern about loaning gear suggests it's a bad idea in general. I was just checking. No big deal really.

Thecageyone

Thecageyone wrote: »

The thread isn't about Pcphoto's gear

I know, his username is just one that came to mind when i was writing my first reply. I didn't intend to single him out

Thecageyone

I know; but he seems to be getting targeted I wouldn't expect the guys with very valuable gear to loan to just anyone. Without knowing them pretty well it'd be very brave indeed.

stcstc

I will quite often loan gear, particularly to my clients, in fact one as a bunch of my stuff at the moment.

It isn't generally a boards thing more people on boards may loan equipment to other boards members, but the only reason boards is involved is as a way to communicate. These people generally do know each other to some degree, or know via other people

I don't see us having a gear loan thread gaining anyone gear. As its happening already and between people behind the scenes or like I said known and trusted members talking here

Thecageyone

Yeah, think we've gathered that it's already ongoing with those who know each other.

That wasn't the point of the thread, nothing to do with what goes on already. Sure, why have any meet up threads? When ther are some who meet on the side anyhow?

it was to encourage helping people out who might be afraid to ask, those who have their eye on what might be expensive gear to them, so they'd like to try before they buy. For people starting out who really don't know what type of lenses they might want down the road etc ...

It's not really for those who only loan to buddies. But, it's fail anyhow.

DK32

I would be more inclined to loan equipment to someone I have met in person or have known for a while rather than a simple username on the forum thread.

I'm a huge advocate of photowalks, it helped me grow as a photographer & I have had the opportunity to both give & receive valuable advice as well as try out new & different equipment. I've also made some really good friends along the way. I highly recommend getting into a scenario where you can meet people with lots of gear and knowledge, get yourself out on photowalks, meet & talk to as many as you can, you will soon see that it's a good bunch of people who share a common passion. Regardless if they are amateur or pro.

At the last photowalk I was standing in Grand canal dock talking to boarderfox and a few others friends I have made from previous photowalks, I happened to mention a need to try out some wider lenses on my full frame camera, hey presto, Keith/Borderfox gives me a loan of a 15mm fisheye lens.

It's that simple, trust is earned and not something you earn easily in a virtual environment IMO.

First ever fisheye lens shot as a result:



I would have not had the opportunity to use a lens like that without buying it or hiring it otherwise.

humberklog

Thecageyone wrote: »

It's not really for those who only loan to buddies.

See it's not about buddies but about provenance. I've loaned loads to people I trust on here (on line, but had never met). They certainly weren't "buddies" to begin with. I'd loan to you Beverly but would I'd be fairly non commital to someone with less posts.

If you really want/need something then this community's there to help.

It's not a buddy thing...just trust.

Thecageyone

I have loaned from people on here. I've been offered loans I didn't take up on too. I've no worries about anyone who wouldn't loan to me. This is only for positive responses to requests nothing more or less. The buddy thing as in members who only loan behind the scenes to those they like/know/trust whatever, does go on, that's nothing to do with this at all. The idea of it being public is so everyone is aware of who has what. It's a kind of insurance.