Renting Pentax lenses

I would like people to answer a poll for me. Who would consider renting pentax lenses if they were available in The U.K.

Would be a good way of trying out properly prior to purchase, particularly now that prices have increased so much.

Davex.

I think you need more options in your poll - for instance I would have rented a lens for my sisters recent wedding, but that would have been the only time I would and I can't see myself needing to again. SO I vote "I would rent a lens" but very rarely. I actually looked at renting a lens but there's very little out there.

I asked a similiar question a few weeks back since I could only find Canon or Nikon lenses to rent.

Would definitely make use of such a service if it existed.

Jacobs offer lens rental, but there are no Pentax lenses listed on their hire page. However they say they will handle requests for lenses not listed, I guess on a 'try before you buy' basis it would be worth asking.

I would consider renting before deciding on a particularly expensive purchase.

One thing I’ve thought of often – however – is ‘rent a tripod’ in bigger towns or cities. Often I’ve travelled with the wife to exotic locations by train only to be told before we go ‘we’re not taking that with us!’

Depends on the cost but an ideal way to test a lens out before taking the plung considering how much a lens can sometimes cost.
Ian

I do not believe any Pentax rental business would be viable anywhere in the UK. The only market for returning rental customers in anything like large enough numbers is the pro market. Hence why you only find Nikon & Canon rental facilities.

There might be a slim chance of a London based rental facility being viable...but would I travel from West Mids? of course not.

Pentax were routinely rented in the 1960s and 1970s, the days of the Spotmatic really. Usually you paid the full price of the item and then had that returned, less the rental fee, when you safely returned it.

I never rented a lens then, and I wouldn't now. At maybe £25 or more a day just not worth the hassle.