Upgrading from a phone to a “real camera” is a dream for many, but with the price of camera bodies and the lenses to go with them, it’s out of the realm of the possible for many. To address this, Fujifilm South Africa has launched a rent-to-own programme, which is available to customers online or in bricks-and-mortar stores.
As it says on the box, you pay a monthly rental fee for Fujifilm kit, and after a set number of payments it becomes yours. The programme applies to Fujifilm’s X-Series of mirrorless cameras, including the new entry-level X-T100 and the flagship X-H1, as well as the Fujinon range of accompanying lenses.
“The Fujifilm Rent-to-Own system is designed to provide photographers with options to suit their pocket,” says Eslie Basson, National Sales Manager at Fujifilm South Africa. “Now they can pay as little as R350 a month on select products and get exactly what they want, without the high upfront cost.”
You can head over to the Fujifilm rental website where you’ll be presented with the option to rent selected cameras and lenses over a six-, 12-, 18- or 24-month period.
At the end of the period, you can choose to return the equipment to Fujifilm, continue to rent it at a reduced rate, or pay a once-off fee of R600, after which the gear is all yours.
A number of camera shops are participating in the programme, so if you’d rather head into a physical store to handle the goods you’re in luck. Outlets offering the programme include select Foto First branches, Atphoto (Tshwane), Cameraland (Sandton and Cape Town), Photo Freedom (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Kameraz (Johannesburg), Katz Tech Lab (PE), The Kloppers Group, Orms (Western Cape), Outdoorphoto (Tshwane) and Photoquip (East London).
If, however, you already know what you want, the easiest way is to sign up online by filling out some digital forms and sending the appropriate documentation through. As with all things financial, there’s an approval process in place, but Fujifilm promises to try and get back to you as soon as they can manage. Another advantage of visiting the website it it allows you to compare various kit combinations and calculate the exact rental price per month.
