Anyone ever rent an SLR?

[glen]

I dont have an SLR, but I am going to Jackson Hole in a few weeks to ski.
I was thinking about renting one.
Experience?

 

[Gintaras]

Do you have any experience with DSLR?

 

[glen]

Do you have any experience with DSLR?

nope
I really should say *some* experience.

 

[Paladin3]

Considering the cost of a rental DSLR and lens, I would just buy a decent point and shoot camera for the same money. You're not going to get much more from a DSLR on program than you will from a good P&S.

A used DSLR and kit lens might be a good idea if you want to continue with photography after your trip.

 

[RampantAndroid]

A used DSLR and kit lens might be a good idea if you want to continue with photography after your trip.

Agreed - I used an old Canon film SLR as a kid and only recently got into DSLRs and bought a used D70 off a coworker with some lenses, then upgraded to my current D7000 once I got a bit better.

 

[Syborg1211]

Using an SLR in auto mode won't get you much better results than a good quality point and shoot in auto mode. To really unlock the potential in an SLR over a P&S, you need to take the camera off of full auto mode. First step is to use the other modes like aperture priority mode or shutter priority mode then make the jump into full manual.

However, this all takes tons and tons of practice and time. You won't figure those things out during a trip. I'd say get a more portable compact for your trip and get a dslr afterwards if you really get into the hobby. A good quality P&S is still a tool every dslr owner should have because you can't always bring your dslr with you everywhere.

I don't know what your budget is, but for the cost of renting an SLR for a week with a lens you could probably pick up a new Canon S100. For higher budgets check out the Sony RX100, it gets rave reviews as one of the best point and shoots out there.

 

[iGas]

I agree with the above poster that shooting in Auto mode with an DSLR is almost the same as shooting in Auto mode with a P&S. However, the OP can ask someone to set up the camera for him.

Rent a camera that give as many frames in burst mode as the OP wallet can handle. Set the Camera to continuous shots with tracking, ISO speed to Auto select, shutter speed at 1/1000s, and exposure compensation to +1.5 stops for snow scenery.

Shoot in RAW mode, and edit later.

 

[glen]

I know how to use basic features on a DSLR. I just don't own one.
I also disagree - the sheer lens size and chip will give you more light, clarity, and sheer information than PS. The main thing I hate about PS cameras is they almost never give anything close to tack sharp focus.

 

[Syborg1211]

If you know what you're doing with an SLR and know why you should get one over a P&S, then why are you asking about renting? Are you just asking if the whole rental process is easy/worth it?

Also, the bigger lenses and sensors are only going to work better than a P&S if they're configured properly. Unfortunately, cameras can't full read your mind on what you're trying to capture. If the camera is in auto mode and it sets the shutter speed too slow to capture action, then neither an SLR or P&S will yield anything worth keeping.

 

[glen]

If you know what you're doing with an SLR and know why you should get one over a P&S, then why are you asking about renting? Are you just asking if the whole rental process is easy/worth it?

yes

 

[glen]

I tend to over expose snow or fix it in post processing. Another reason not to use a PS is grey snow - I hate it.

 

[RampantAndroid]

yes

Generally they're well cared for and cleaned often (dunno if the D600 is any good these days due to dust problems...) but it'll cost you. If you just don't want to buy a camera, sure - rent. I've used borrow lenses myself.

 

[gevorg]

One way to "cheat" hard exposures like snow is to use a bracketing mode (if available). This way you'll have more choice in post-processing.

 

[Railgun]

Using an SLR in auto mode won't get you much better results than a good quality point and shoot in auto mode. To really unlock the potential in an SLR over a P&S, you need to take the camera off of full auto mode. First step is to use the other modes like aperture priority mode or shutter priority mode then make the jump into full manual.

This is so unbelievably far from reality...

 

[randomrogue]

Back in the day when I bought my first DSLR I took it straight overseas for a trip without reading the manual or anything. Straying from full auto gave me practically no results since I didn't know what I was doing and full auto gave me worse results than my 3MP point and shoot I'd had previously. Apparently the JPEG engine of that Canon Rebel was worse than my Olympus P/S.

Anecdotal of course but I would recommend bringing a point and shoot OR renting it a bit before your trip so you get some time to learn how to use it. If you don't understand A, S, P, M don't bother renting it. If there's snow in Jackson Hole make sure you understand how to use exposure compensation or full manual mode. Post processing every image just for the snow would be kinda a pain in the ass when you can get it right from the get go.

 

[Syborg1211]

This is so unbelievably far from reality...

Please back up your statements with some reasoning. I already explained that having the camera in full auto mode puts the responsibility on the camera to predict what you're trying to accomplish in a photograph. Sure, you can luck upon some good shots, but the only way to make sure you get good results is to take control of the camera yourself.

If your reasoning is that the larger sensor and lens can collect more light and capture better low light pictures, then I cannot disagree with you. However, the OP specified outdoor pictures where there will be ample light. With a lot of ambient light, you'd be hard pressed to even tell the difference between an SLR and iPhone picture (somewhat of an exaggeration, but you get my point).

I have first hand experience with this. I had a Canon S90 years ago and was blown away by picture quality over low end p&s cams. Then I got a D5100 with kit lens and expected to see a similar jump in quality. I was mostly disappointed by the performance of the D5100 until I learned how to use the other program modes and eventually manual modes.

One of my best friends just last week bought an entry level DSLR and was complaining to me that the picture quality was not what he expected over his pretty good P&S. Knowing what I know now, I'm positive I could use his camera in manual mode and take better pictures than what he has shown me in auto mode.

It sounds like randomrogue had a similar experience.

So, Railgun, please explain how these three accounts from three different people are so unbelievably far from reality?

 

[FrankSchwab]

Purely my opinions here, of course.

Having just purchased my first DSLR, I will see that there are huge differences in usability between a P&S and a DSLR.

From a pro-DSLR perspective, the focus speed is amazing. I went out on a Scouting sledding trip, and on Auto I didn't have to think - I simply pointed and shot, and the camera focused and exposed instantaneously. Every time I've taken a P&S out waterskiing or skiing or sledding, half of my shots end up out of focus, or poorly framed because the P&S focusing was so slow that my subject was moving out of frame. With the DSLR, every shot was framed as well as I hoped, and every one was in focus (although a couple of them focused on the wrong person). My wife stopped taking photos with the S90 because she got frustrated with the number of out-of-focus pictures she ended up taking - with the DSLR every single one has turned out in-focus.

Picture quality was much, much better than the P&S's I've had in the past (except, perhaps, my old Olympus C3000). The focus was noticeably crisper. I'd never complained about the quality of my P&S cameras before, until I saw the pictures coming out of the DSLR.

Also, 5 fps is really fun to play with.

Con-DSLR: Carrying it around is a pain. It's heavy, awkward, and expensive enough that I have to constantly know exactly where it was and whether it's sufficiently protected.

 

[blastingcap]

DSLR is not like a point and shoot.

AF speed and tracking
Much faster shot-to-shot time, larger buffer and write speeds to cards
Manual focus, exposure controls, ISO, aperture, etc.
Much better low light performance
Much narrower DoF even with relatively slow lenses like f/3.5-5.6 kit lenses
Better dynamic range, color depth
Per pixel quality higher so you have more leeway to crop and yet retain enough megapixels to print with

I got fed up with my D90 and went micro four thirds for a while, but eventually I ditched m43 too because even m43 is not pocketable and I have concerns over the long-term support for the standard (Oly ditches standards all the time and the camera division loses money every year; Pany's camera division also loses money and Panasonic as a whole lost incredible amounts of money the last few years.)

I wound up getting a Sony RX100 which is about the largest camera you can have and still be jeans-pocketable. I wish it went wider and had a hotshoe, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with it.

Then I re-bought into DSLRs with a D5100 which I use for occasions when weight matters less, or when I need PDAF for fast-action sports and such. Aside from the Nikon 1 series, no mirrorless camera's AF-C (continuous tracking) mode is effective, and Nikon 1 doesn't have the high ISO ability or lens selection that DSLRs have.

OP, for the long run (not your upcoming trip), I would see about getting a RX100 if you can justify it. Other very competent cameras include the LX7, but it's bigger and heavier than the RX100 making it not as easily pocketable, and unless you get an aftermarket lenscap, it's also clumsier because it requires a lenscap. But it's also half the price.

 

[Gintaras]

Back in the day when I bought my first DSLR I took it straight overseas for a trip without reading the manual or anything. Straying from full auto gave me practically no results since I didn't know what I was doing and full auto gave me worse results than my 3MP point and shoot I'd had previously. Apparently the JPEG engine of that Canon Rebel was worse than my Olympus P/S.

Anecdotal of course but I would recommend bringing a point and shoot OR renting it a bit before your trip so you get some time to learn how to use it. If you don't understand A, S, P, M don't bother renting it. If there's snow in Jackson Hole make sure you understand how to use exposure compensation or full manual mode. Post processing every image just for the snow would be kinda a pain in the ass when you can get it right from the get go.

Post - that OP should consider reading....

 

[Gintaras]

nope
I really should say *some* experience.

Don't rent, buy P&S instead...Even DSLR entry level is way different than P&S...
Advanced P&S will do better for you than entry level DSLR...

 

[RampantAndroid]

Don't rent, buy P&S instead...Even DSLR entry level is way different than P&S...
Advanced P&S will do better for you than entry level DSLR...

Did you read this?

If you know what you're doing with an SLR and know why you should get one over a P&S, then why are you asking about renting? Are you just asking if the whole rental process is easy/worth it?

Also, the bigger lenses and sensors are only going to work better than a P&S if they're configured properly. Unfortunately, cameras can't full read your mind on what you're trying to capture. If the camera is in auto mode and it sets the shutter speed too slow to capture action, then neither an SLR or P&S will yield anything worth keeping.

yes

 

[glen]

Does anyone have experience renting a camera? Not using it, or did you like PS better or worse, but rather how was the rental experience itself?

 

[RampantAndroid]

Does anyone have experience renting a camera? Not using it, or did you like PS better or worse, but rather how was the rental experience itself?

Generally they're well cared for and cleaned often (dunno if the D600 is any good these days due to dust problems...) but it'll cost you. If you just don't want to buy a camera, sure - rent. I've used borrow lenses myself.

Do it if you want an SLR and can benefit from it, and are cool with the cost.

 

[Railgun]

Does anyone have experience renting a camera? Not using it, or did you like PS better or worse, but rather how was the rental experience itself?

Guess this went on a tangent a bit.

I've rented lots of gear from Calumet Photo. Not a body per se, but there is no difference really other than cost with them between a body and lens.

That said, it's a pretty painless process. You do need a deposit which is generally the cost of the part. Some companies may do something differently, eg require rental insurance from your provider (along with a letter proving it).

No idea whether you're near one...they do courier (your cost) and they may even ship, but I'm not sure about the latter.

If you do rent, from where?

 

[DarkRogue]

I don't really know why everyone jumped in with comments about getting a P&S, since the OP doesn't seem to want to go that route.

OP, if you are going on vacation or something though, their suggestion does have merit - a P&S is a lot easier to carry around and whip out than an SLR.

That said, what exactly is your goal?
If you want to take some pretty pictures first and foremost, but are simply unsure about getting an SLR, it would be the perfect candidate for a rental, in my opinion.

Personally, when I first started, I had a cheap P&S like everyone else, but I was curious about an SLR. I had no idea if I'd even like it, so I couldn't justify putting down $900+ for a starter kit.

I went to lensrentals.com instead, and rented my first SLR, a Canon T1i, for about a week to take to an event and shot with it. I had a great time with it, since I already knew about manual exposure modes and shooting in RAW from the Canon G9.
After that, I decided it would be worthwhile to buy one.

As far as the rental experience itself goes, it varies from place to place.
I would highly recommend LensRentals.com as they are very good at what they do.
The owner is a guy named Roger who's very active on various photo forums such as FredMiranda. Their inventory is checked at all stages, even before going out to you, and they retire all equipment after something like 20 rentals, so you know you are getting good/clean gear every time.

I've also emailed them a few times with random questions and their staff is always quite friendly, and responded in a timely manner.

On the other hand, my friend has rented from Adorama for a last minute event. Adorama is a great place for buying new gear, but the lens he received for his rental, although worked, felt very heavily used.

Just my experience.

Good luck!