Been eyeing a new camera/lens lately? Are you a prosumer and looking to upgrade to the next best thing but not sure which model you want? Or are you just a hobbyist and looking to test the power of the top-of-the-line gear for fun?

The never-ending debate in photography when you want new gear is whether to rent or to purchase, and I am here to share with you my opinion and experiences, that renting with ATSRentals is way to go.

Photography is a very expensive hobby. From cameras and lenses to all the accessories, batteries, and add-ons they all have it adds up quickly when you want to get more serious about your hobby/profession.

I searched the internet last year before the Indy 500 for a place I might be able to rent some more expensive Canon gear because at the time, I only had a Canon Rebel and the two kit lenses that came with it (18-55mm and 75-300mm). There are many places out there to rent gear from, but like airlines, there are fees–everywhere.

There is only one place I found that charges reasonable prices without all the extra fees and has customer service that is very helpful and easy to work with, making it as easy as they can for you to focus as much of your attention on the shots you want to take and less on the barrier to completion of those shots, the gear. and that place is ATSRentals.

No matter if you’re a professional/prosumer looking to upgrade to the next best thing but not sure which, or just a hobbyist and looking to test the power of some top-of-the-line gear for fun, you can find what you’re looking for on their website.

Note: Now through June 17th, 2016, you can code “SALE20” to save $20 off orders of $100 or more

or code “SALE50” to save $50 off $250 or more!

You can rent:

You name it, they probably have it.

ATS frequently runs sales on their website, but the best part is that their 1-day prices for renting gear, are the same as their weekend (Friday-Monday) rental prices. For the same price that you could have a top-of-the-line Canon 5D Mk III from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, you could have it for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday (returning to UPS by Monday afternoon at 5PM, usually).

Some other great things about renting from ATS include:

  • FREE Accidental insurance

(You are responsible for 10% of the cost of the Equipment if damaged) *

*Unless the equipment is damaged by water. Then the deductible does not apply, and you are responsible for the cost of  repair or the value of the equipment–whichever is less.

ATS has various arrangements of gear in the form of packagets for Wedding, Portrait, Sports, Vacation, and Stage Event type shoots you may require rentals for.

  • Full Refund Policy

Camera gear usually has moving parts,  and though inspected carefully before every rental order, stuff happens. In the case of a service failures, ATSRentals will refund all shipping charges and rental fees relating to rental days that the equipment was missing and/or not working correctly.

  • UPS pickup/return

ATS uses UPS for their shipping purposes and you can even schedule a pickup for returning the gear, so you don’t miss that 5 PM deadline at the UPS Store.

I have said it many times before and will say again, it is not about the gear but about the photographer about the lens that creates the imagery. Put in front of the correct eye,

I have rented 5 times from ATS Rentals over the past year, and even once when they ran into shipping delays due to flooding last summer. I was still able to get the gear on time for the rocket launch I was attending.

Still don’t believe me? Read their reviews page and see for yourself all the positive experiences customers have had with them.

Here are just a few of my favorite shots I was able to capture over the past year thanks to ATS Rentals:

(If you would like to purchase any of the following photos, you can click them and it will take you to to the respective SmugMug photo Lightbox)

Falcon 9 Has Cleared The Tower

Falcon 9 has cleared the tower, from the ground.

Falcon 9 Has Cleared The Tower

Falcon 9 has cleared the tower, from the roof of NASA’s VAB.

Liftoff of the Falcon 9

Liftoff of the Falcon 9

Kickoff

Running down David Blough

Just missed ’em

Markell Jones, Breaking tackles, taking names, and cashing checks

IU’s Yogi Ferrell over Purdue’s PJ Thompson

Purdue PG PJ Thompson noting an open man on a press break

Vincent Edwards, guarding the inbound pass

IU vs Purdue – always a fight

Schmidt-Peterson’s James Hinchcliffe getting a stretch in before the race.

Fueling up

Hinch talking to ESPN’s Jon Beekhuis

Turn 3 cruising by

The story of the Indianapolis 500-people- lots of people.

Team photo with Schmidt-Peterson’s Mikhail Aleshin

Hinchcliffe walking out from the garages before clinching the  Pole later that day.

Hinch getting seated in his machine.

Smiles waving the green flag for Hinchcliffe.

P1 – pole position

Smiles all around.

What a great day – Hinchcliffe clinches the pole position for the 100th Indy 500

I’d be smiling if I had that sitting next to me too.

Post P1 run TV interviews

Schmidt-Peterson team co-owner Sam Schmidt smiling down on Hinchcliffe.

Humbling meet of several Pearl

The best advice comes from Mom.

Out of the shadows, and into the light – a beautiful 25 foot wide American flag

Great pit stops – great reactions

Hinch hugging his Mom after the race.

The start of the 100th Running of the Indy 500, from Turn 1.

3-wide at the start of the Indianapolis 500.

Thank you for reading my review of my experiences with ATS Rentals and I hope you’ll try them out for yourself find it useful in improving your work, I know I will.