The question of renting vs owning gear is always a matter of personal preference, the type of work you do, and simple economics. But this consideration becomes especially relevant when you’re starting and getting into anamorphic shooting. In the “Anamorphic Cookbook” course on MZed, Tito Ferradans makes the case for both renting or buying anamorphic lenses. Tito has guided many filmmakers on their path to choosing anamorphic lenses, adapters, DIY solutions as well as readymade options, so he has a good grasp on this conundrum. Image source: Tito Ferradans Renting vs Owning Anamorphic Lenses For many DPs, renting lenses provides the most flexibility to choose gear that fit the project. It’s usually cheaper than owning a set of expensive lenses that only get used a handful of times per year. And as a bonus, rental houses will take care of lens servicing and maintenance. But when it comes to small budget productions, sometimes having your own lenses gives you a leg up, not only in making you a more attractive hire but also in giving you the time and flexibility to use your own equipment when a schedule isn’t set in stone. Image source: Tito Ferradans And as Tito has found out with his own work, there aren’t many owner-operators using anamorphics, so having your own anamorphic kit helps you stand out in the low or no-budget crowd. Most importantly, anamorphic lenses can take a considerable amount of time to set up and rig, with a high learning curve, especially...
Published By: CineD - Friday, 8 July, 2022