Strobe Rental in Tulsa?

[Vince Lupo]

I have a potential shoot in Tulsa, Oklahoma later next month, and I'm trying to find a place that rents strobe lighting, stands, sandbags and a tripod. The only one I've found so far is Apertures Camera, but their selection is a bit limited. Does anyone know of any other places in Tulsa?

Thanks!

 

[alienmeatsack]

Have you tried Camera Gallery? They are the only other major camera shop here that I know of. They tend to be a bit larger and more "big store" vs Apertures which is a Mom and Pop kind of place with a smaller shop. So they might have more selection or be able to point you towards someone who does.

http://www.cameragallery.com

 

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for the referral. I did just give them a call, and they don't do any rentals. Actually, they were surprised to know that Apertures rented lighting equipment. What they offer on their website is a single Novatron kit (1 pack, 3 lights, stands, 2 umbrellas). Very limited in terms of what they have, but one of the guys there is going to call me back and we can talk about it in more detail.

 

[alienmeatsack]

Aside from finding a person who has the gear and would loan it out, I can't think of any other places off the top of my head.

I don't own any major lighting myself or I'd loan it to you. All I really have is my flashes and a small softbox for shooting my camera collection.

Is the job one that pays well enough to justify the cost of some of the gear you need?

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yes, for the few interiors that I have to do, I need something (I usually use Dynalites, but really any strobe/pack set with extension cables will do). It's a two-day shoot, and usually when I fly somewhere to shoot something like this, I've been able to rent lighting, stands, big tripod, even sandbags. I think I can survive with three strobes, and perhaps the Novatron kit would even suffice (though admittedly it's not the most 'robust' system). I would bring my camera stuff, plus a couple of portable flashes, gels, and even an extra umbrella or two. Don't know that I could fit a strobe kit in my bags though!

Even thought about driving out, but it's about 1300 miles one way, so it's not in their budget. Flying plus lighting rental is though.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just got off the phone with Jeff at Apertures (very helpful, btw!). I'm going to have to give this some thought, as the stands they have are the typical Novatron stands (spindly little things), and I'd feel real itchy about using them in situations with a bunch of people around. Plus, I'd have to buy sandbags (he doesn't have any for rental), and perhaps those light stand adapters if I wanted to somehow use my Manfrotto stands (and if they'd even fit in my suitcase). Oh and no tripods available for rental.

Sounding almost better for me to drive out!

 

[alienmeatsack]

Jeff is good. He's old school film. Actually everyone there at Apertures is nice and knowledgable.

Would you be driving from MD? That's a long drive to bring your gear for sure. But you've got to do what you have to do.

Maybe you can pack and ship some of your gear here and make due with what you can find locally for the rest?

 

[Vince Lupo]

I'm considering the drive, and am also seeing about another possible job out there to make that option more worthwhile. But, if I only have the Tulsa shoot, I'm still thinking that his Novatron kit might work for the types of (basic) interior shots I'd be doing.

There is another place in Yukon that rents equipment, but that's a two-hour drive each way from Tulsa, so that likely wouldn't work.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just got off the phone with my client, and we've both made the decision -- I'm driving!

YIppee!