SonyStyle Japan is partnering with a T.I.S Corporation to provide a new DSLR lens rental service available exclusively online. With twenty eight Sony lenses offered, this is an interesting direction for Sony that we’d honestly love to see at other SonyStyle locations across the world. I’ve read similar programs that Sony has offered, including rental of camcorders at SonyStyle Japan stores, but not on this scale. The allowed rental periods are 2 nights and 3 days, or 7 nights 8 days (at a higher cost). SonyStyle Japan customers who have purchased a new α330/α380 will receive a voucher for a free rental (2 nights, 3 days) for select lens models. Prices are pretty conservative, except the enormous 300mm F2.8 G will run you a stunning cost at Y19,800 ($207USD) for a 3 day rental, or Y49,800 ($522USD) for 8 days.
Here’s the pricing (Y2,980 = $31USD; Y15,980 = $167USD, see xe.com for more currency conversions):
Guest lens (model name) | レンタル料金 Rental Rates | 延滞料金 Late fees |
|
---|---|---|---|
2 nights 3 days | 7 nights 8 days | ||
DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
28mm F2.8 (SAL28F28) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
50mm F1.4 (SAL50F14) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
50mm F2.8 Macro (SAL50M28) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL1855) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 (SAL1870) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM (SAL55200-2) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 (SAL55200) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
75-300mm F4.5-5.6 (SAL75300) |
2,980 yen | 7,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 11-18mm F4.5-5.6 (SAL1118) |
3,480 yen | 8,480 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 (SAL18250) |
3,480 yen | 8,480 yen | 1,000 yen |
16mm F2.8 Fisheye (SAL16F28) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
20mm F2.8 (SAL20F28) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
100mm F2.8 Macro (SAL100M28) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
500mm F8 Reflex (SAL500F80) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
Vario-Sonnar T * DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 ZA (SAL1680Z) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 (SAL16105) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
DT 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (SAL18200) |
3,980 yen | 8,980 yen | 1,000 yen |
70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM (SAL70300G) |
4,480 yen | 9,480 yen | 1,000 yen |
Planar T * 85mm F1.4 ZA (SAL85F14Z) |
4,980 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,200 yen |
35mm F1.4 G (SAL35F14G) |
5,480 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,100 yen |
135mm F2.8 [T4.5] STF (SAL135F28) |
5,480 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,100 yen |
Sonnar T * 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z) |
5,480 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,100 yen |
Vario-Sonnar T * 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (SAL1635Z) |
5,980 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,000 yen |
Vario-Sonnar T * 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (SAL2470Z) |
5,980 yen | 15,980 yen | 2,000 yen |
70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM (SAL70400G) |
8,480 yen | 15,980 yen | 1,500 yen |
70-200mm F2.8 G (SAL70200G) |
8,480 yen | 15,980 yen | 1,500 yen |
300mm F2.8 G (SAL300F28G) |
19,800 yen | 49,800 yen | 6,000 yen |
Wouldn’t it be great if Sony offered this service at their SonyStyle website and stores in the USA? I think that this would bring more consumers by the store and possibly check out other products.