A Huge Favour

[Jaedon]

I am having a bit of a panic attack at the moment.

I am shooting at the Toronto Indy this weekend and as I was packing my gear and getting everything ready my 4 year old decided to try and help daddy. In the process he dropped my 14-42mm lens and the front element got severely scratched when the UV filter broke on the front of it and glass on glass scraping ensued. This has left me with only zoom lenses for the weekend and without my only wide angle lens. I have priced out a new one but none of the local camera shops have or can get the lens in stock and even if they could I cannot afford to replace it before the races.

Is there any kind hearted soul out there who would considering lending/renting me their wide angle lens for a few days (I would return ship it the Monday following the race weekend which would be one week from today) I will even pay shipping both ways so that it is of no cost to you if you can help me out.

I know this is a bizzare request but I figured if the only answers were no I am still in the same situation as I am now so there's no harm in asking.

Please if anyone can help me out send me a PM and we can work out the details.

Thanks in advance and thanks for taking the time to read all of this rambling message.

Jay

[SmartWombat]

I know a UK company doing Olympus lens rental.
Not sure if they can ship it quick enough.
http://e-group.uk.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=44

If you used Canon I'd have flown out with my spare 10-22 and 50mm and shot the race with you

[Jaedon]

Thanks for the offer Paul. I did find a local guy with a 14 - 35 F2 rental available but I have heard mixed reviews on the service and the lens conditions on these guys. I do not want to put my reputation in the hands of a stranger..... but it may just have to do in a pinch.

I wish you could come and shoot the race with me. It would be great to rub shoulders with you and learn from your experience. Heck I'd even through in some of our Canadian beer on me =)

[mjs1973]

Have you tried shooting with the lens since it was scratched? By focusing past the scratch you may not notice it.

Check this out.
http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008...ment-scratches

[Greg McCary]

Could you use a 14-42mm? I could let you borrow my wife's 14-42mm or my 70-300mm.

[Atomic2]

You can try renting the 12-60 from these guys
http://www.lensrentals.com/for-olympus

They dont have 14-42.

[Jaedon]

@MJS I have tried using it... it leaves a streak across the image every time ... right through the middle. I was hoping for better but that part sucks.

@Greg I could definitely use the 14-42. I have everything past that covered. I need a wider lens for group shots of the models and such and for the winners circle. I did manage to set up my old Pentax 55mm 1.8 with a converter to 4/3 but it just is not wide enough. Great shots out of it though =)

@Atomic. Thank you for the link. I have been checking these guys out all morning. Their reputation is excellent. Now I just need to find out if they will ship and rent to Canadians =)

[Greg McCary]

I checked shipping today and it would be $80.00 to get there by Friday and that is only to get it to customs where they tell me it will probably set until Monday. You may be better off just buying a 14-42mm and getting it sent priority.

[Jaedon]

I had a moment of brilliance today and remembered a friend of mine purchased a 2 lens kit with his E620 that lives only an hour from me. He is lending me his 14-42 for the weekend as long as I promise to shoot Danica Patrick for him.... for that I tried to convince him to lend me his .22 =)