Attention all filmmakers! ShareGrid just released their end-of-year report detailing the most popular gear rentals of 2018. This is a must-read for anyone looking to invest in some heavyweight cameras for the upcoming year or if you’re more interested in renting gear as you need it. ShareGrid is the perfect platform for filmmakers to rent gear owned by other filmmakers. They are the middleman, bringing filmmakers together so we can get our hands on the gear we need.
The report breaks down rental profits, number of rentals, and rental days to recoup value, which basically just means the number of days you’d need to rent the item out to cover its cost. It’s all about determining which cameras and pieces of equipment will yield a higher return on investment. There are also graphs and lists showing where and when the gear gets rented the most (Los Angeles is the most popular, obviously).
So, let’s take a look at the most-used pieces of equipment according to the report.
First up, the RED Scarlet-W Dragon 5K. This was the biggest shock in the PremiumBeat office. We would have thought an Alexa or an URSA Mini would be more popular than the Scarlet-W Dragon. But, waddayaknow? Since this camera is almost three years old, it’s interesting to note how popular gear is once its initial value drops.
Next, the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5. No surprise here. The GH5 has been one of the powerhouse consumer cameras of the past two years. With 4K 60p with no crop, shooters love this camera, and we can see why it’s been popular in the rental market.
Coming in at number three is the Dana Dolly Original Kit. The dolly will never go out of style. The specific brands and types might, but given what a dolly can do for your shots, it will always be around in some form or another. So, it makes sense that this affordable, efficient, classic piece of equipment is not only a good item to rent but also a good investment.
At number two, we have the Sony PXW-FS7 XDCAM Super 35 Camera. I didn’t know that the FS7 was this popular, but here we are! The camera has been out for more than 4 years, so expect its depreciating value to affect popularity and price.
And finally, the most popular rented gear in 2018 was the Sony a7Sii Mirrorless Camera. The Sony a7s lineup will save us all. With the a7S III on the horizon, the a7S II will increase in popularity as its price comes down. But everything that made this a popular camera in the first place will still be there. Point is, this 4K mirrorless beast is great option for anybody starting out or shooting videos on a medium- to low-sized budget.
Check out the full list of the most popular rented gear in 2018 here. And don’t forget to browse ShareGrid for all your gear rental needs. Happy filming!
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