Renting a Lens

[Ryan]

I’m planning a trip to Japan in mid-March and I’m thinking about renting a telephoto lens to take along. I’ve rented before for a trip to Yellowstone and found the service greatly valuable, but I’m not sure what to get.

I have a Canon 350D and currently own the 50mm/1.4 and 28mm/1.8. Of the following lenses, which would you pick, taking into consideration size and weight? These are in order from cheapest to most expensive for two weeks ($100-150):

200mm/2.8L
135mm/2L
70-200mm/4L
70-300mm/4-5.6L
70-300mm/4.5-5.6 DO IS

I’m currently leaning towards either the 200mm or the 135mm for their 1) super-fast aperture, 2) size and 3) price. I do worry about leaving open the entire range of 70-200, but I don’t have the covered now anyways and I manage to get alone.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Mac+]

If you rent the 135, I can practically guarantee you'll want to buy it after the rental period. Beautiful piece of glass: fast, rich colours and bokeh to die for - awesome for outdoor portraits.

That said, almost all of your choices are L series, which will be a step up from what you currently own.

The other factor to consider, of course, is the focal lengths you have covered. You touch upon this and I agree - I think the 200 prime is a big gap from your 50 - there might be times where you find the step between focal lengths frustrating.

If you're comfortable zooming with your feet, go 135. If you want some versatility the 70-200 f/4 isn't bad value. Try and see if you can get the IS version.

One more thing: with your 1.6 crop and the 28 you're really getting a 44.8 fov. Maybe a wide angle EF-S zoom is the ticket?

[Ryan]

Hmm, I didn't think about going the other direction. Perhaps the 10-22 or the Tokina 11-16?

Now, which would I find more useful, wide or telephoto?

[sunrain]

I'd go with the 135. It's an awesome lens and much less of a hassle to carry around while traveling than one of the 70-200 lenses. I had a 70-200 2.8L IS and I sold it to get the 135. I loved the zoom, but it was such a pain in the neck to take along that I often left it at home.

[Mac+]

Haha - iPhone thinks the 70-200 2.8L IS lens description is a phone number - dashes, dots and adjoining L ignored. :D

[Ryan]

I'm considering renting both the 135 and the 10-22, I'm just not sure carrying two unfamiliar lenses is a good idea. Right now I think I'll take Mac+'s advice and go with a superwide zoom.

Anyone want to argue for telephoto?

[Mac+]

The wide angle will be great when capturing gardens and temples. I only had the 50 on my film camera and found myself squeezing back into walls just to wring every ounce of width from the shot that I could.

A wide angle prime (or L series zoom) is next on my lens list - as too a full frame DSLR; not in a rush presently though.

[Ryan]

Well, I just reserved the 10-22mm at lensrentals.com. I think that’s the right choice for this situation.

[Ryan]

Well, I just reserved the 10-22mm at lensrentals.com. I think that’s the right choice for this situation.

Heh, just stumbled back upon this thread while I was searching Purchasing Advice for past discussions on wireless mice.

Anyways, the 10-22mm worked beautifully. Didn’t take it off for my entire trip, even though it was cut short by the earthquake so I was only there for four days. Photos of the trip can be viewed here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryan_tanner/sets/72157626295971882/).

[onlyafterdark]

Awesome! I just purchased a used 10-22mm as I am moving to Ontario from BC. Everyone I have talked to said a wide angle was a must for that kind of trip and so far the lens hasn't disappointed!