If you’re a photographer in London, finding the right place to rent camera lenses can make a big difference in your work. Renting allows you to use high-quality equipment without the cost of buying it. Whether you’re new to photography or have been doing it for years, London has many great options for renting lenses.
In 2024, renting a lens in London is simple and fast. Many shops allow you to book lenses online to pick up what you need when you’re ready. This is perfect for a special project like a wedding or outdoor photoshoot.
This guide will help you discover the 15 best places to rent camera lenses in London. Each spot has something special, affordable pricing, or a wide selection of lenses. No matter what kind of photos you’re taking, you’ll find the right lens to capture the perfect image.
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Places to Rent Camera Lenses in London (2024)
If you are a photographer in London and need to rent camera lenses, you will be quite spoilt for choices. When you rent lenses, you can borrow and test a certain type of gear, which benefits both amateurs and experts. Below are the 15 places to rent camera lenses in London.
1. Wex Rental (Whitechapel, London)
Wex Rental is a popular place to rent lenses. They offer a wide range of options for photographers. You can book online and choose Canon, Nikon, Sony, and more lenses. You can pick up your rental in-store or have it delivered.
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2. Hireacamera ( Nationwide)
Hireacamera makes renting lenses simple. They have lots of choices for all types of cameras. You can book online and have the lenses delivered anywhere in London or the UK.
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3. Fat Llama (Various locations across London)
Fat Llama is different because it’s a peer-to-peer rental site. This means you can rent lenses from other photographers nearby. It’s often cheaper and more flexible than traditional stores.
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4. Fixation (Vauxhall, London)
Fixation is for photographers who need professional equipment. They offer high-quality lenses and are great for both photography and video projects. They also have repair services if something breaks.
5. Pro Centre ( Hoxton, London)
Pro Centre specializes in renting lenses for professionals. Its brands include Hasselblad and Leica, which are often used for commercial shoots. The company also offers other equipment, such as lighting.
6. Shoot Blue ( Kentish Town, London)
Shoot Blue is best for people working on films or TV projects. They offer cinema lenses and a large selection of video production gear.
7. Camera Trax ( Shoreditch, London)
Camera Trax is a smaller rental shop with affordable lens rentals for photographers. It offers good options for people who don’t want to spend too much.
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8. London Camera Exchange ( Strand, London)
London Camera Exchange (LCE) has been around for a long time and is trusted by many photographers. They have multiple stores in London where you can rent lenses and get expert advice.
9. Lenses For Hire ( Delivers to London)
Lenses For Hire delivers lenses straight to your door. Their pricing structure is simple, and the cost includes insurance, so you don’t have to worry about extra fees.
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10. Calumet Photographic
Calumet Photographic, now part of Wex Photo Video, offers many camera lenses. It is well-known and provides reliable service with flexible rental terms.
11. KitMapper (Various places in London)
KitMapper is another peer-to-peer service where you can rent lenses from other photographers. It’s a great way to find unique gear and save money.
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12. The Flash Centre (Bloomsbury, London)
The Flash Centre is known for its lighting and offers lenses for rent. Its solid gear range makes it a good option for photographers and videographers.
13. Photolease ( Nationwide in London)
Photolease offers financing and rental options for photographers who need lenses for longer projects. They provide flexible terms and are known for good customer service.
14. Direct Photographic (West London)
Direct Photographic has been a trusted name in the photography world for years. They offer high-quality lenses for professional photographers and filmmakers.
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15. Gearbox Rental (Kennington, London)
Gearbox Rental is aimed at filmmakers, offering lenses and camera gear for high-end cinema projects. They have a wide selection of lenses for video production.
These 15 places offer a wide range of lenses for rent, so whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can find what you need to improve your photography or videography.
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5 Best Places to Rent Drones in London
1. Wex Rental ( Whitechapel, London)
One of the best places to hire drones in London is Wex Rental. They have drones, such as the DJI Mavic and DJI Phantom, suitable for beginners and professionals. You can order a drone with a click of a button and then pick it up from the store or have it delivered to your doorstep. This means Wex Rental is always ready to serve its clients for a day, week, or month.
2. Fat Llama ( Various places in London)
Fat Llama is an internet service that allows people to rent out drones from people in their neighborhood. This makes it cheaper, and you get a variety of drones because it depends on whoever is renting the place. You can contact the drone’s owner and conveniently make the necessary plans and meetings.
3. Hireacamera ( Delivers to London)
Hireacamera is famous for renting out cameras and drones. They stock standard drones for sale, including the DJI range, and can deliver the items to your doorstep in London. They offer opportunities for the short term or the long term and have insurance for your needs.
4. The Lens Depot ( Southwark, London)
The Lens Depot offers for hire drones primarily for professional photographers and videographers. They have other better drones, such as the DJI Inspire. It means that they can arrange the rental of the drone for a short term, for example, if you have a couple of projects that you would like to complete in a brief period or if you need to use a drone for an extended amount of time, which is more convenient because there will be no need to keep returning to the company’s rental centre to extend the time you have borrowed it for.
5. London Camera Exchange
LCE rents drones to anyone for any purpose; therefore, the type of user is not restricted. They are DJI ranges such as the Phantom or Mavic. Since you can access flying field stores in London, you can buy your drone and start flying.
These are some of the best places in London to rent drones for the aspiring amateur, the working photographer, and everyone else.
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Faqs about Rent Camera Lenses in London
- What types of lenses can I rent in London?
In London, you can rent a wide range of lenses, including prime, zoom, macro, wide-angle, telephoto, and specialty lenses like fisheye or tilt-shift lenses. Most rental services offer Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Sigma lenses.
- How much does it cost to rent camera lenses in London?
The cost of renting camera lenses in London depends on the lens type and the rental period. Standard lenses usually range from £15 to £50 per day, while high-end or specialty lenses might cost more. Many rental services offer discounts for longer rental periods.
- Is insurance included when renting camera lenses?
Some companies include basic insurance in the rental price, while others offer it as an add-on. Services like Hireacamera and Wex Rental provide optional insurance to cover accidental damage, so it’s a good idea to ask about coverage when renting.
- Can I have camera lenses delivered to my location in London?
Many rental companies, including Hireacamera and Lenses For Hire, offer delivery services across London. You can have the lenses delivered directly to your home or studio for added convenience.
- What should I do if the lens gets damaged during the rental period?
If the lens is damaged, contact the rental company immediately. If you opt for insurance, it may cover the repair or replacement costs. Depending on the rental agreement, you may be liable for repair costs without insurance.
- Do I need to clean the lens before returning it?
Handling rented gear carefully is always a good idea, but you don’t need to deep clean the lens before returning it. Most rental companies take care of cleaning. Just make sure the lens is free from major dirt or damage when returning it.
Final Thought
Renting camera lenses in London is a great way to get the lenses you need for photography. It allows you to try different types of lenses without spending much money, and whether you’re a beginner or a pro, renting is easy and flexible.
There are many places in London where you can rent lenses; some even deliver them right to your door. Just make sure to check the prices and any rules they have, like whether you need to pay for insurance. You can take better photographs with the help of rental lenses while keeping your budget in mind.
