LensRentals.com Introduces Keeper

[Canon Rumors Guy]

<p>Saying goodbye can be the hardest part of any rental. With our new Keeper program, you can try it, then buy it!</p>
<p>Just rent an eligible item, and then we’ll give you a starting purchase price based on the age of the copy we send you. We’ll even give you a credit for a portion of the rental fees. Even better, you can handle the entire transaction with just a few clicks on our website (although we’d be more than happy to handle it over the phone if you are just dying to talk to one of our friendly customer service agents).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/10/introducing-lensrentals-keeper"><img class="alignnone wp-image-17517 size-full" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/keeper-FB-Ad.jpg" alt="keeper-FB-Ad" width="488" height="288" /></a></p>
<p><strong>What equipment is eligible?</strong>

Almost all of our equipment is eligible. If it is impossible for us to get a quick replacement for a particular piece of gear, either because it is backordered or because our suppliers are slow to get us new copies, it may not be offered for sale. If you see a piece of equipment not offered for sale, just send us an email. In many cases, we just haven’t gotten around to updating the product to be eligible for sale.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/10/introducing-lensrentals-keeper" target="_blank">Read more at LensRentals.com</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[x-vision]

Fantastic news! It has always made sense that they do that.

And what a catchy marketing name.
Great job, LensRentals.

 

[c.d.embrey]

I often see, on forums, that people are waiting to see the online tests before they buy. Why not conduct your own tests ???

Many so-called Real World tests don't cover anything that I do. I don't shoot cereal boxes in my kitchen, nor do I shoot pet pictures in my back yard.

Waiting six months, then renting to do your own tests is a good ides. If it passes your test than buy it.

 

[dstppy]

Excellent. Totally awesome.

Every lens I've bought from them was "perfect" (as graded).

This is even better since they test the stuff constantly!

 

[bereninga]

I've always wondered why this hasn't happened already!

 

[Mitch.Conner]

I was hoping this was a testing service they were offering, to test if something you just bought is a "keeper".

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

they would do that a day after i place a rental order...lol

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

Meh.

If the numbers they used in the article are any indication why would I pay $3,015 for a used 5D3 when I could go to B&H and get it BRAND NEW for $3,199 PLUS the following goodies:

INCLUDES FREE ▪ SanDisk 32GB Ultra UHS-I SDHC Memory Card (Class 10) ▪ Watson LP-E6 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4V, 1750mAh) ▪ Canon 200DG Deluxe Gadget Bag ▪ Oben ACM-2400 4-Section Aluminum Monopod
Total Value $153.85

Even if I don't need the goodies I could re-sell them and make back most, if not all, of the difference.

They better offer better prices than the example or anyone with a brain will avoid the deal.

 

[NancyP]

I have done a similar thing, bought refurbished from Canon. I could see doing this, if I wanted to try out some Big Whites and found that I liked one that happened to be about a day away from being sent to "Lens Authority" used lens/equipment outlet, where the Lens Rentals 2+ year old lenses go when retired from rentals service.

 

[Drizzt321]

Meh.

If the numbers they used in the article are any indication why would I pay $3,015 for a used 5D3 when I could go to B&H and get it BRAND NEW for $3,199 PLUS the following goodies:

INCLUDES FREE ▪ SanDisk 32GB Ultra UHS-I SDHC Memory Card (Class 10) ▪ Watson LP-E6 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4V, 1750mAh) ▪ Canon 200DG Deluxe Gadget Bag ▪ Oben ACM-2400 4-Section Aluminum Monopod
Total Value $153.85

Even if I don't need the goodies I could re-sell them and make back most, if not all, of the difference.

They better offer better prices than the example or anyone with a brain will avoid the deal.

Well, you really want to use a UDMA7 CF card for the 5d3 to really get the most out of it, not an SD card (which you can't run at UHS-I speeds due to hardware). The 3rd party battery is nice. The gadget back, cool, that's nice, but cheap. And do you really need the monopod? Generally a tripod is much better except it specific cases. Plus, it's going to be fairly cheap. I'd rather invest more money into a good monopod with a quality head (or one I switch off onto my tripod).

Plus, that's probably only for the newest 5d3's. If you were to buy one that's, say, a year or so into it's life at LensRentals, it's likely a lot less.

Generally, I'd potentially use this for a lens, but that's me personally.

 

[miejoe]

If you were to buy one that's, say, a year or so into it's life at LensRentals, it's likely a lot less.

They explain in the blog post that you can see an expected price range right on the website before rental. So for instance, on the 5dIII page, you can click "Get Estimate" to see that the expected range is $3,319 - $2,513 depending on the age of the particular copy you get.

I would expect them to price these a little higher than a straight linear interpolation between purchase price and Lens Authority price, because they're losing out on potential rental revenue for the rest of its lifetime, and they need to recoup their costs to procure a new lens and process, test, and tag it. But I still think for many it'll be worth the extra money to get a lens that's been tested, possibly optically adjusted, and that they already know they're happy with.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

And do you really need the monopod?

I find those cheap monopods good for holding flashes if you want to get them higher. With some modifications, they work great for holding gobos or reflectors too.

I would not use them for my camera though.

 

[Chuck Alaimo]

If you were to buy one that's, say, a year or so into it's life at LensRentals, it's likely a lot less.

They explain in the blog post that you can see an expected price range right on the website before rental. So for instance, on the 5dIII page, you can click "Get Estimate" to see that the expected range is $3,319 - $2,513 depending on the age of the particular copy you get.

I would expect them to price these a little higher than a straight linear interpolation between purchase price and Lens Authority price, because they're losing out on potential rental revenue for the rest of its lifetime, and they need to recoup their costs to procure a new lens and process, test, and tag it. But I still think for many it'll be worth the extra money to get a lens that's been tested, possibly optically adjusted, and that they already know they're happy with.

I am 95% sure I will be a test case for this...LOL...I like the 35 ART a lot and yeah, I am seriously thinking of making it part of my kit...and if the copy I have from them is as spot on as it seems....why risk it....