Need to rent some film equipment for a shoot? no problem!
Filmmaking is expensive. If you’re here reading this, you probably know that already. Whether it’s a prime lens for a music video or a fancy drone for that property shoot… it all adds up.
With so much film equipment out there to buy and all of it costing so much, you just can’t have it all. Sometimes you might just be caught short but that’s okay as you can just rent it. 👍
Here is our list of the most popular companies for renting film equipment in the US and UK. We have broken them down into different categories and price points.
Online Peer to Peer Rental
This is a more cost-effective option but can have its drawbacks. Peer to peer video equipment rental is a growing industry that gives filmmakers access to high end gear for a fraction of the cost of purchasing it.
The idea is pretty simple. Basically, the site allows people to rent their own equipment out to other people. This means you can start that project without having to wait until you can afford to buy the kit or if you only need it for short-term use.
Video Equipment Rental
Filming a corporate video or promotonal content with a decent budget? Video rental houses will give you the best bang for your buck in terms of overall quality, selection, and reliability. Also, equipment will be tested when it’s returned which means that they are in good condition and ready to use.
| 🇺🇸 USA | 🇬🇧 UK |
|---|---|
| Adorama Rentals | The Kit Room |
| BorrowLenses | Wex Rental |
| Lensrentals | Hireacamera |
| PRG Gear | Pro Motion Hire |
| LensProToGo | Cameraworks |
Film Equipment Rental
Finally, we move on film equipment rental houses. These are for shorts, music videos, documentaries, and full-end feature films with a big budget. Prices are usually not shown on the sites so you’ll need to contact them directly to negotiate prices.
| 🇺🇸 USA | 🇬🇧 UK |
|---|---|
| Arri Rental | Arri Rental |
| Panavision | Panavision |
| Cinerent | MovieTech |
| New East Rental | Cinehouse |
| Film Gear Rentals | Pixiepixel |
| AbelCine | Procam |
| Cinema Camera Rentals |
What To Consider When Renting Film Equipment
Before you rent any film equipment for your production here are a few quick tips to consider.
1. Support Your Local Camera House
Firstly, consider using your local film equipment rental house. By building up a relationship with the people who work there, you could potentially get a better price, as well as access to really useful advice and expertise. Plus, it’s just nice to support your local, right?
2. Ask Other Filmmakers
You can search online for the best prices or simply ask your friends or colleagues who have used this service before about their experience and if they would recommend it or not.
3. Compare Pricing
Always get a few different quotes. By comparing prices from different companies, you can narrow down your search and find the best deal available. You also might find that some companies will offer discounts if you book the camera for longer than seven days or if it is being rented for business purposes. This can help make that film budget stretch a bit further.
3. Consider A Niche Rental Company
This is a route that could save you money and also can ensure that the people you’re dealing with are experts. So whether it’s gimbals or underwater housing, finding an expert could help you figure out exactly what you need to hire.
4. Check The Rental Agreement
This is an obvious one but sometimes overlooked. Make sure you read the rental agreement so that you don’t get charged extra for returning film equipment late and in the wrong condition.
Wrapping up
As you can see, there are a lot of good options available when renting film equipment. However, it’s a combination of a few different factors that will decide who you go with like budget, reliability, availability, and quality.
