I have to say, most of my experience to date with “hiring” cameras consists of cranking the centre column of my tripod until the camera is at my eye…  However I’m pleased to see that Fuji is going gangbusters into the business of making their equipment available to rent.  

This seems to be an initiative which, if not worldwide, is certainly not restricted to the UK, since I have had similar notifications in recent days from Fuji in Australia and the US. It’s a big step in the right direction to providing a true Pro-level service to those that need it as well as giving a risk-free opportunity to try before you buy – a clever marketing manoeuvre to broaden Fuji’s appeal and provide an additional channel to market.

The GFX is a natural for hire due to the initial cost, but it’s interesting to see that the programme covers the X-Series too, at least in the UK.  I wonder how long it will be before we see Fuji with a fully equipped, fast-turnaround Pro-support facility at major sporting events? 

We are already seeing a number of pros and semi-pros — myself included — who have embraced the Fuji X-System and now the new GFX due to the combination of exceptional quality in a compact package. Fuji has been known for some time for its “photographer-friendliness” in terms of service turnaround and the frequency of free firmware upgrades, unlike some other “Protenders” (I’m looking at you, Sony…) and it was interesting to see, thanks to Spanish photo site Photolari, that at least three of the 45 winning shots in this year’s World Press Photo were taken on Fuji X-kit (two X-T1s and an X100) so I think that things are headed in a promising direction.

Watch this space…

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FUJI RELEASE

25% discount on all Fujifilm rentals at hireacamera.com

Hireacamera.com is excited to announce a new exclusive offer on their range of Fujifilm cameras and lenses. From today, a 25% discount* will be applied to all Fujifilm camera and lens hires. 

This exclusive offer is the result of a new partnership between Hireacamera.com and Fujifilm and is part of a drive to get Fujifilm’s multi-award winning X-Series cameras and XF lenses into the hands of more photographers. The offer also includes Fujifilm’s new medium format camera, the highly anticipated GFX 50S, and the new GF lens series.

Andreas Georghiades, Fujifilm UK’s Marketing Manager said ‘The real joy of Fujifilm cameras is the combination of traditional styling with cutting edge technology. They are designed with the photographer in mind to make you fall in love with taking pictures and we want to get our cameras and lenses into more people’s hands.  

Our partnership with Hireacamera will give more people the opportunity to use Fujifilm cameras and lenses for short, medium or long-term hires at a fraction of the price, and might just be the incentive they need to see for themselves what the fuss is all about.

Whether you want to test some of our latest cameras, or need a backup to your existing kit for a shoot, Hireacamera offers the perfect solution.”

Guy Thatcher, Managing Director at Hireacamera was equally delighted, he commented, ‘The growing levels of excitement about Fujifilm’s cameras grew consistently throughout 2016 and the surge of interest we received when the GFX release dates were announced, earlier this year, was unprecedented. To that end, we’ve worked collaboratively with Fujifilm to deliver this very attractive offering to everyone who is interested in Fujifilm cameras.’

Hireacamera.com stock the widest range of Fujifilm X-Series cameras, including the award-winning X-T2 and X-Pro2 and the entire XF lens family, as well as the new medium format GF lens range. And when new lenses are released, Hireacamera.com will be one of the first places you can get your hands on them.

The promotion will launch on Sat 18th March, the first day at The Photography Show.

For more information about Hireacamera.com please email: pr@hireacamera.com 

Details for Fujifilm: fujifilmpr_uk@fujifilm.com

*The 25% discount will be automatically applied to existing rental prices from 18/03/2017