Have you decided to try your hand at photography or independent filmmaking? Maybe you’re crafting content for your online presence. Or perhaps you’ve been tasked with managing the visuals for a long-term collaborative project? You now face a dilemma. Should you buy or rent a camera?
Camera technology is constantly evolving, and along with it, users’ needs are changing too. And this is what makes renting a camera a more viable option than buying one for your every need. Need more reasons to consider camera rental? Here are 7 reasons why renting a camera is smarter than buying.
Reason 1:Try Before You Buy
One of the top reasons why renting a camera is smarter than buying is that it allows you to “try before you buy”. This is especially helpful to those people who are considering making a major investment in photography equipment.
Do you fear breaking the bank on a camera only to find that it’s not the right one for you? Camera rental solves that problem.
You can test out an expensive professional camera at minimal cost, before committing to a purchase. Try out a few different camera types until you find the one that works best for you. Then you’ll be able to make that purchase with complete peace of mind.
Reason 2: Flexibility in Choice
Camera rental offers flexibility. It lets you choose the specific cameras and lenses needed for different projects. It’s like having access to an entire photography or film studio’s cameras, whenever you need them. Is this really necessary? Yes, it is, if you are involved in various types of projects at any given time.
Do you dabble in everything from landscape to portrait photography, and even the odd video production? They require vastly different gear. A DSLR may suit your photographic needs, while video camera rentals are ideal for a film project. Renting lets you adapt your gear to your specific requirements.
Reason 3: Access to Latest Technology
Creating engaging, high-quality content is crucial when building a personal brand on social media. And that requires professional quality equipment. Renting allows you to access the latest camera models without purchasing them.
So, why not purchase them? The problem is, that while the progress of technology offers many benefits, there’s one major drawback — obsolescence. Because camera technology advances quickly, purchased models become obsolete, fast. That’s why renting the latest technology is often smarter than buying it.
Reason 4: No Maintenance Hassles
Camera equipment requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in optimal condition working properly. You’ll need to keep the body of the camera wiped down and remove smudges and dust from the lenses and sensors.
But when you rent a camera, you don’t have to worry about any long-term maintenance and servicing hassles. That’s all taken care of by the camera rental company. However, remember to return the rented camera equipment without excess dust and smudging.
Reason 5: Cost-Effectiveness
Renting a camera can be much cheaper than buying, especially if you’re only an amateur photographer. But it’s also the more cost-effective solution for your occasional creative projects. If you’re operating under severe budget constraints this is especially true.
Poor budget management can kill any project. But you can avoid project failure with smart budgeting, and cost-effective measures like camera rentals. Renting a high-end camera for a weekend shoot might cost a few hundred dollars. But buying that same camera could cost you between $800 and $3000!
Reason 6: Insurance Coverage
Transporting expensive camera equipment while you’re out scouting for the perfect background scenery can make you a target for theft. Indeed, theft of items from motor vehicles is one of the most common types of theft in the US.
But even if you are very careful to avoid high-risk situations, there is always the danger of unintentional damage in an accident or misplacing equipment during an emergency.
Luckily, camera rental companies often provide insurance. This reduces your risk and liability if the camera is damaged or lost. The convenience of dealing with such issues through rental insurance versus personal insurance on owned equipment is enough to convince most people to rent instead.
Reason 7: Save on Storage Space
From the best types of vlogging cameras to videography gear, your camera collection could grow over time. But the more extensive your camera gear collection, the more specialized storage you’ll need.
If you don’t have the space because you live in a small studio apartment, this can be a serious hurdle. It’s also a problem if you travel a lot and are reluctant to leave your large camera selection behind unattended.
Camera rental is the solution. You have access to the best cameras for all your photographic and videography needs. Yet you don’t have to worry about how and where to properly store them to keep them safe.