The equipment itself was fine. The communication with the renter was extremely problematic starting from the beginning of our return process when he contacted me to tell me that my team had not returned the equipment. I was led to believe for several hours that we had somehow LOST a camera package when, in fact, Production had delivered it on time and into the hands of the renters telling them exactly who it was for and the renters "thought that it was someone else's package."
Not only that but the *last night* of our shoot he contacted me to tell me that we had taken an extra battery from him somehow, and being that I was on set and directing I told him that I would make sure it was taken care of, assuming he was telling the truth. I reminded him many times that I was the Director, not the DP but that I was doing my best to relay information to the different departments. It was never confirmed that we HAD that battery because we were in the midst of shooting. Later it was realized by my camera team that they never were even given the extra battery, and as they prepped the camera at the renter's space in front of them there isn't a plausible way for them to just have an extra battery. It's also difficult for me to believe after also being told that the camera wasn't returned when it was -- the renter just seems disorganized with their equipment. This renter is disrespectful and dishonest. If you don't want to be harassed and lied to then do not rent from him.