Grrr Need Rentals for a weekend but where?

[quazimoto]

So it seems there is a serious lack of rentals available in Calgary and it's really beginning to annoy. I have a horse show that I am being paid to work in July and I want to get some longer lenses. I was hoping to find a Nikon 300mm F2.8 available but alas there is nothing.

I do have a 200-400mm F4 available but part of this entire renting the big lenses idea is so that I can test them in the field prior to paying the huge sums of money for them. I don't suppose anybody knows where or knows somebody that is willing to lend them for a weekend?

I can pay a heft security deposit which is no problem. I am specifically wanting to field test the

200-400mm F4
300mm F2.8
400mm F2.8

I've already got some help from some board members in borrowing some telephoto extenders. I just really can't justify paying the costs for these lenses without knowing just how good they will perform. Vistek apparently no longer have the 300mm or 400mm for rent in Calgary.

[core_upt]

we have rented a 200-400 f4 from the Camera Store before
http://www.thecamerastore.com/resources/rental

its around 150/day

[quazimoto]

Yep the 200-400 was the only one I could source out. I'm trying to get my hands on all 3 to see which is going to suit my needs the best.

[Go4Long]

I could loan you my 300 2.8.

the 400 2.8 is a BEAST...it's roughly the same size as the 600 F4. don't get me wrong, it's an amazing piece of glass, but realistically, to lug it around is a pain in the ass.

Vistek also rents the 200-400 and the 300 2.8 last time I checked(although that was a while ago now)

[quazimoto]

When I was in there grabbing my D3s they told me they no longer had the 300 F2.8 or 200-400 F4. Apparently the Toronto location took them as they were in higher demand in Toronto which sucks. I'm highly leaning towards either the 300mm F2.8 or 200-400 F4 anyways. The 400mm seems like a near perfect telephoto lens which is why I am curious. I don't mind the size of it for carrying it around but yet at the same time my thinking is the 300 and 200-400 would be somewhat practical for other applications.

I'll need to send you a PM here to find out which dates I would need to borrow said lens. I'd be more than willing to pay you a rental fee on top of a deposit on said lens.

[Mitsu3000gt]

There is a 200-400VR II out, so if you are considering spending $6,000 or whatever it is for that lens, make sure you get the latest version.

The 300 2.8 VR II takes TC's VERY well (including the new 2X III).

The 200-400 will take the 1.4 TC pretty well, and there is just nothing else like it out there. I read about lots of Canon guys owning Nikon bodies specifically for this lens.

The 200-400 II is pretty much my dream lens but it will be a long time until I can afford to buy one :D .

TCS rents the 200-400 but not the 300 2.8 for some reason:

http://www.thecamerastore.com/files/Rental_List_05_14_10.pdf

[Go4Long]

something to keep in mind if you're using the lens for shooting horse shows is that during the off season there's actually a very active indoor series as well, and while it may not make a difference shooting outdoors, a 2.8 lens vs an F4 lens when focusing indoors does make a big difference. Focusing is always done wide open, the F4 lenses will hunt significantly more, especially at RMSJ(spruce's indoor arena is quite well lit).

The optics of the 300 2.8 VRII are identical, the graphs are literally indistinguishable, the only difference is 1m closer close focus distance, and the extra stops of VR.

The 300 2.8 is honestly an AMAZING piece of glass, lightning quick focusing, razor sharp even wide open, good VR(even on the "old" VR1). Pretty hard to justify spending double the price on the 400 2.8 in my opinion...but that's just me...

[quazimoto]

Hmmm from what information I've gathered the 200-400 VRI is the better of the two choices as optically the VRI and VRII are apparently identical and the only main difference is that the new VR motor provides one extra stop advantage and one stop for $1,000 is a hard sell I think.

I was leaning heavily to either the 300mm 2.8 or the 200-400mm. The 400mm was really just to gauge it for a comparison. I've got some other sporting events that I'll be doing part time in winter months and one big telephoto is a necessity. I love my 70-200mm VRII to death but I feel the reach is just not there.

The 300 and 200-400 are the two I most want to try out to say the least. The 200-400 is awfully interesting to say the least and all the samples I see online from that lens seem rather amazing especially for an F4 that isn't exactly all that big of a lens weight wise.