Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Version 0.6 — September 2026

Hiring

How does hiring from Captis work?

Choose your equipment, select your hire dates and complete your booking online. We check and securely package your equipment and arrange tracked delivery to you.

We normally schedule your equipment to arrive at least one working day before your Hire Period begins. When your hire is finished, repack everything using the original reusable packaging and attach the prepaid return label supplied. We'll arrange courier collection from the original delivery address on the first working day after your Hire Period ends.

Standard UK delivery and return collection are included in your rental price.

What equipment do you hire?

Captis primarily specialises in Sony equipment, with a carefully selected range of lenses, cameras and accessories.

Our collection will adapt according to what photographers actually want to hire and relevant market demand.

I can see a lens that isn't currently available to book. What does that mean?

Some equipment may be listed as Request Availability while we're expanding the Captis collection.

Send us your required dates and we'll let you know if we can help. These requests also directly influence which equipment we add next and help develop the pipeline for expanding our inventory.

Is there a minimum hire period?

Yes. Our standard minimum hire period is 3 days.

Longer hire periods are available and generally offer better value per day.

Do I need to pay a security deposit?

Yes. A £175 refundable security deposit applies to every hire.

The deposit is taken at checkout and refunded once the equipment has been returned and checked, provided no amount is due under the Rental Terms & Conditions.

The £175 deposit matches our standard accidental-damage excess, helping to keep the process simple and transparent.

Do I need to be over 18 to hire from Captis?

Yes. You must be aged 18 or over to place an order with Captis. An adult must also be available to accept the delivery.

Some courier services may require an adult signature or evidence of age before releasing the parcel.

Delivery & returns

How much is delivery?

Standard UK delivery and return collection are included in your rental price.

There is no separate standard delivery charge at checkout and no additional standard return charge at the end of your hire.

Some destinations or circumstances may require additional arrangements or charges. Where an additional charge applies, we'll make this clear before you place your order.

When will my equipment arrive?

We normally schedule your equipment to arrive at least one working day before your Hire Period begins.

For example, if your hire begins on a Friday, we'd normally schedule delivery for Thursday. If your hire begins on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday, we'll account for the weekend when scheduling delivery.

If your equipment arrives early, you won't be charged extra simply because it arrived before your Hire Period begins.

Courier delays can occasionally occur, so an expected delivery date isn't an absolute guarantee of third-party courier performance.

How do I return the equipment?

We arrange the return collection for you.

At the end of your hire, repack the equipment and all supplied accessories in the original reusable protective packaging and attach the prepaid return label supplied.

Unless otherwise agreed, our courier will collect from the original delivery address on the first working day after your Hire Period ends.

Please make sure the parcel is securely packed, labelled and ready for collection and that someone is available to hand it to the courier.

What does “first working day” mean?

For our standard delivery and return arrangements, a working day is Monday to Friday, excluding bank and public holidays in England and Wales.

So, for example, if your hire ends on:

Friday — collection would normally be Monday;
Saturday — collection would normally be Monday;
Sunday — collection would normally be Monday; or
Monday — collection would normally be Tuesday.

If the next working day is affected by a bank or public holiday, collection will normally move to the following working day.

Do I need to be available for the return collection?

Yes.

Someone must be available at the original delivery address to hand the securely packed and labelled parcel to our courier on the arranged collection day.

You'll be reminded of this during checkout before completing your booking.

If you know there may be a problem with the planned collection, please contact us as early as possible so we can discuss the available options.

What happens if I miss the return collection?

We'll work with you to arrange the next appropriate return opportunity.

If a collection is missed because nobody was available, the parcel wasn't ready or the agreed return process wasn't followed, you may be responsible for reasonable additional courier costs and, where the delay continues, a reasonable additional hire charge.

If collection fails for reasons outside your reasonable control, contact us and we'll arrange an appropriate solution.

What happens if the courier loses or damages my return?

Provided you've packed the equipment correctly using the supplied packaging, followed our return instructions and handed the correctly prepared parcel to our nominated courier as arranged, normal courier transit risk sits with Captis after handover.

You won't normally be responsible simply because our nominated courier subsequently loses or damages the parcel.

If inappropriate packaging, failure to follow the return instructions or another action on your part causes or materially contributes to the loss or damage, this may be treated differently under our Rental Terms.

Can I use my own courier or return the equipment myself?

Not normally.

Controlling both journeys allows Captis to track the equipment and manage the associated transit risk.

If you have a problem with the arranged collection, contact us first rather than arranging an alternative return yourself. If another courier or return method is used without our agreement, the normal Captis transit-risk arrangements may not apply.

Damage, loss & protection

Is the equipment insured?

You don't normally need to arrange separate hired-equipment insurance for qualifying accidental damage.

Qualifying Captis hires include our Damage Protection, which limits your liability for qualifying accidental damage to a maximum £175 excess, subject to our Rental Terms.

Damage Protection is a contractual limitation of your liability to Captis rather than a general insurance policy. Loss, theft, non-return and other excluded circumstances are treated separately.

What happens if I accidentally damage something?

If the damage qualifies for Damage Protection, you'll normally pay the reasonable repair cost up to a maximum of £175.

So, if a qualifying repair costs £120, you would normally pay £120 — not £175.

How does the £175 refundable deposit work?

A £175 refundable deposit is taken with every hire. This is the standard accidental-damage excess taken in advance and held for the duration of the hire.

If the equipment and supplied accessories are returned as agreed and no charge is due, the full £175 is refunded after the return has been checked.

If qualifying accidental damage occurs, the reasonable repair cost may be deducted from the deposit, up to the maximum £175 excess.

Loss, theft, non-return, deliberate damage, misuse and other circumstances outside our standard Damage Protection are treated separately and may result in liability above £175 under the Rental Terms & Conditions.

Does Damage Protection cover loss or theft?

Loss, theft and non-return are treated separately and aren't automatically subject to the £175 accidental-damage limit.

If equipment is lost or stolen, contact Captis as soon as possible. Where theft has occurred, you'll also need to report it promptly to the police and provide us with the crime reference number and reasonable information about what happened.

Full details are contained in our Rental Terms & Conditions.

What about normal wear and tear?

We expect photographic equipment to be used.

Minor cosmetic wear resulting from careful, normal use isn't something we'll charge you for.

Damage affecting the equipment's operation, value or future hireability is different and may be chargeable in accordance with our Rental Terms.

Bookings & equipment

Do you carry out ID or credit checks?

We don't intend to put every customer through extensive verification. Most bookings should be straightforward.

We may undertake additional identity, address, payment or fraud-prevention checks where there is a reasonable reason to do so.

In appropriate circumstances, we may also request additional information or an enhanced refundable security deposit before dispatch.

When do I pay?

Payment is taken in full when you book, so there are no outstanding standard rental charges to remember before dispatch.

Any optional services you select will be shown before you complete your booking.

Can I extend my hire?

Provided the equipment hasn't been reserved by somebody else, we may be able to extend your hire.

An extension isn't confirmed until we've agreed it with you in writing.

What if the equipment develops a fault?

Stop using it if continuing could cause further damage and contact us as soon as possible.

We'll help troubleshoot the problem and, depending on the circumstances, may arrange replacement equipment, adjust your Hire Period or provide an appropriate refund.

What comes with my hire?

Each product page tells you exactly what's included.

Depending on the equipment, this might include lens caps, hood, tripod collar, batteries, charger, case or protective pouch and other relevant accessories.

Everything supplied with your hire should be returned with the equipment.

Can I add a note or special request to my booking?

Yes. There's an optional Order notes or special requests field during checkout.

Use it to tell us about relevant delivery requirements, access instructions or anything else that may help us with your hire.

We'll do our best to accommodate reasonable requests, but a special request isn't guaranteed unless Captis expressly confirms it with you.

About Captis

Why Captis?

Captis is an independent UK rental business built around a simple idea: great photography shouldn't require owning every lens.

We offer a carefully selected range of Sony equipment and are continually growing our inventory to reflect changes in market demand and what photographers actually want to hire.

Can I suggest equipment you'd like to stock?

Absolutely. In fact, we'd encourage it.

Tell us what you'd like to hire and your request can help determine which lens, camera or accessory joins the Captis collection next.

Can I collect equipment from Captis?

We're currently a delivery-based rental service rather than a physical rental counter. Standard UK delivery and return collection form part of the Captis hire process.

We may introduce collection options in the future.

Where does Captis deliver?

Captis delivers within the United Kingdom, subject to carrier availability and any restrictions shown during checkout.

Some destinations or circumstances may require additional time or may not be available for standard delivery.

We don't currently offer international equipment hire.

Still have a question?

Get in touch.

Whether it's choosing the right lens, checking compatibility, arranging a booking, discussing a delivery or return requirement, or dealing with something unexpected during a hire, we're happy to help.

Full contractual details are contained in the Captis Rental Terms & Conditions.