AVC photo video store
Camera store 4.9 ★★★★★ 2,238
Camera repairRents gearUsed gear
Sizable retailer mainstay offering an array of cameras, cell phones & other electronics.
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Camera rental near me
167 camera stores in this directory run a rental counter. Below: real day rates for the bodies and lenses people actually rent, the pricing mechanics that quietly decide what you pay, and which shops credit your rental toward buying the gear outright.
What this page is — and is not
These are camera stores with rental counters, not cine or production rental houses. That distinction matters. A production house serves crews: kitted packages, prep bays, expendables, day-rate technicians, and an account. A camera store rents you a body, a lens or a light kit over the counter, usually with the same staff who sell the gear — which is why so many of them will credit the rental against a purchase if you end up buying it. For a wedding, a trip, a one-off portrait job or trying a lens before you commit $2,000, this is the right counter. For a three-camera commercial shoot, it is not.
What camera rental actually costs
Day rates are remarkably consistent across independent shops — roughly 1–2% of the item's replacement value per day. Current going rates:
| Gear | Typical day rate |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS R5 | $50 |
| Canon EOS R6 | $30 |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | $50 – $120 |
| Sony A1 | $75 |
| Sony A7R V | $60 |
| Nikon Z9 | $90 |
| Nikon D850 | $60 – $120 |
| 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom | $35 |
| 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom | $30 |
| Three-light strobe kit | $25 – $30 |
The four mechanics that decide your bill
The headline day rate is the least interesting number in camera rental. These are the ones that move the total:
- The weekend counts as one day at a lot of shops. Pick up after roughly 3pm Friday, return by roughly 11am Monday, pay a single day rate. That is a two-thirds discount on the most common rental there is. It is a policy, not a law — ask for the weekend rate by name.
- A week is 3–4× the daily rate; a month is 10–12×. Rent a $50 body for seven days and you should be paying roughly $150–$200, not $350. If a shop quotes you seven times daily, ask about the weekly rate before you accept.
- Deposits range from a card authorisation to the full replacement value. This is the biggest variable in the entire transaction and the one people never ask about. A shop holding full value on a Nikon Z9 with a fast zoom is holding thousands of dollars against your card limit. Ask what the hold is and how long it takes to release.
- The damage waiver is about 15% of the rental — and late fees usually escape the weekly cap. That last part is the trap. You negotiated a weekly rate, you return two days late, and the late days are billed at full daily rate on top of the cap. If you might run over, book the longer window up front; it is almost always cheaper.
Try before you buy: rental credit toward a purchase
This is the policy that makes a local rental counter genuinely better than mail-order for anyone shopping for a lens. Rent the thing, shoot with it for a weekend, and if you buy it the rental fee comes off the price. Published policies include:
| Shop | Credit | Window to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Art's Cameras | Daily rental rate | 7 days |
| Midwest Photo | Rental fee | 14 days |
| PROCAM | Up to a 3-day fee | 30 days |
| Wex | 2 days of rental | Per policy |
| Pictureline | 10% of rental | Per policy |
Two lenses at $35 a day for a weekend is $70 to answer a $2,400 question with your own hands, on your own subjects. If you buy one of them, you may pay nothing for the test.
Camera stores that rent
Rental is confirmed from each shop's own service list or from customer reviews. Showing the 48 highest-reputation of 167; city links below go local. Inventory changes constantly — call to reserve a specific body or lens, especially for a weekend.
District Camera and Imaging
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 1,527
Develops filmRents gearUsed gear
Time-tested retailer offering camera & film equipment, plus classes & printing services.
Roberts Camera
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 1,402
Rents gearUsed gear
Long-running store specializing in sales of new and used photography and video equipment.
CameraMall
Camera store 4.9 ★★★★★ 1,191
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Camera shop offering film developing, equipment rentals, used-gear sales, and photo restoration services.
Colonial Photo & Hobby Inc
Camera store 4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,227
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Jumbo hobby shop with model trains, craft supplies & cameras plus on-site framing & film developing.
Mike's Camera Inc Colorado Springs
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 1,113
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Mike's Camera Inc. Boulder
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,166
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Samy's Camera
Camera store 4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,148
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Store specializing in still & video camera equipment sales, rentals, lighting & accessories.
Competitive Cameras Ltd
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 936
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Longtime camera shop with digital cameras, lenses & accessories, plus equipment rental & classes.
The Camera Exchange
Camera store 4.5 ★★★★★ 997
Buys & tradesRents gearUsed gear
Photography store carrying major gear brands for rental or sale, plus beginner & advanced classes.
Houston Camera Exchange
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 973
Buys & tradesRents gearUsed gear
Established merchant stocking new & used cameras, darkroom supplies, photo gear, lights & printers.
Aperturent
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 884
Rents gear
Camera rental and lighting equipment agency featuring a variety of lenses plus audio and video gear.
Kenmore Camera
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 861
Buys & tradesRents gearUsed gear
Family-run outfit since 1974 offering new & used cameras plus equipment, accessories & a photo lab.
Mike's Camera
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 851
Develops filmCamera repairRents gear
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Midwest Photo
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 785
Rents gearUsed gear
Camera store stocking lenses, accessories and film supplies, plus offering photography classes.
Mike's Camera Inc. Denver
Camera store 4.5 ★★★★★ 770
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
photodom. NYC
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 737
Develops filmRents gear
Black-owned shop specializing in analog cameras and film, plus film processing and camera repair.
Mike's Camera Inc Lone Tree
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 742
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Samy's Camera
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 690
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Store specializing in still & video camera equipment sales, rentals, lighting & accessories.
Tempe Camera Repair Inc
Camera store 4.5 ★★★★★ 686
Camera repairRents gearUsed gear
Camera-supply purveyor and photo lab also offering rentals and repairs, along with classes.
The Camera Company
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 610
Buys & tradesRents gearUsed gear
Camera and photography gear shop offering new and used equipment including lenses, plus classes.
San Jose Camera & Video
Camera store 4.5 ★★★★★ 629
Develops filmCamera repairRents gear
Old-school photo shop with a wide inventory of supplies, plus classes, archiving services & repairs.
Gulf Coast Camera
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 580
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Wide variety of new and used gear for photography as well as repair services, rentals and lessons.
Aperturent
Camera store 4.9 ★★★★★ 560
Rents gear
Online and in-store rental company for cameras and lenses plus other camera gear, like lighting and accessories.
Pro Photo Supply
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 605
Buys & tradesRents gearUsed gear
Business featuring cameras & equipment for both professionals & hobbyists since 1983.
Horn Photo
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 566
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Digital photography and film processing shop offering equipment sales, supplies, albums and photo restoration.
George's Camera
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 553
Rents gearUsed gear
Friendly camera emporium specializing in rentals, repairs, lighting and equipment. Offering classes and warranties.
Biggs Camera
Camera store 4.5 ★★★★★ 576
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Friendly camera shop that stocks digital and film cameras plus lenses.
Pitman Photo Supply
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 549
Buys & tradesDevelops filmCamera repair
Spacious electronics superstore features cameras, photography supplies & gear, plus film processing.
Mike's Camera, Wheat Ridge
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 550
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Englewood Camera
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 483
Develops filmCamera repairRents gear
Veteran photo store offering cameras & accessories, plus printing, lab services & classes.
Hunt's Photo & Video
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 456
Rents gearUsed gear
Branch of a regional chain offering cameras, lenses, lighting, printers & video equipment.
Art's Cameras Plus
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 464
Rents gearUsed gear
Knowledgeable staff, plus classes, a rental department and print services.
K&M Camera
Camera store 3.7 ★★★★☆ 587
Develops filmRents gearUsed gear
Sprawling showroom for photography equipment sales & rentals, plus outdoor gear & apparel.
Dodd Camera
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 451
Rents gearUsed gear
Store carrying brand-name cameras & lenses, plus a large selection of gear for photography.
Samy's Camera
Camera store 4.2 ★★★★☆ 481
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Store specializing in still & video camera equipment sales, rentals, lighting & accessories.
Mike's Camera Dublin
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 418
Develops filmRents gearUsed gear
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Dodd Camera
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 435
Rents gearUsed gear
Store carrying brand-name cameras & lenses, plus a large selection of gear for photography.
Precision Camera & Video
Camera store 4.6 ★★★★★ 428
Buys & tradesCamera repairRents gear
Camera store stocking new and used equipment, offering repairs, classes, and rentals.
Spartan Photo Center
Camera store 4.7 ★★★★★ 397
Camera repairRents gearUsed gear
Welcoming photo lab featuring a wide range of new and used camera gear, plus printing and film processing.
Delaware Camera
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 405
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Photography store, offering a selection of new and used cameras, plus studio equipment rentals.
Saigon Photo Lab
Film lab 4.9 ★★★★★ 361
Develops filmRents gear
Warm photo lab specializing in passport photos and studio portraits.
Perfect Image Camera
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 359
Develops filmCamera repairRents gear
Friendly camera store offering photography classes and equipment rentals, as well as imaging services like printing.
West Photo
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 391
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Enduring shop offering camera equipment and photography supplies, plus repair services and rentals.
Mike's Camera | Menlo Park
Camera store 4.4 ★★★★☆ 388
Rents gearUsed gearAuthorized dealer
Provider of digital & film, photographic & video cameras & equipment, plus processing services.
Nelson Photo & Video
Camera store 4.2 ★★★★☆ 400
Buys & tradesDevelops filmRents gear
Well-stocked shop carrying a range of cameras & accessories, also offering classes & photo prints.
Murphy's Camera
Camera store 4.8 ★★★★★ 347
Rents gearUsed gear
Long-running shop with patient staff for new and used cameras, lenses and accessories.
Shops that also rent studio space
A rental counter attached to a studio is useful for the same shoot: light kit and the room to use it, booked together.
- AVC photo video store
- photodom. NYC
- Focal Point Photography
- Camera Casino
- Albuquerque Photo-Tech dba AP-T Camera Repair
- Bairn | Camera, Studio, Lighting Rental & Production Company
- K & R Photographics
- Voice and Video
- The Lightroom Athens
- Texas Photo Rental
- photospace
- Light & Lens Studios
- One Source Studios Inc
- Cinematic Arts and Sound
- North Bay Silver Lab
Camera rental questions
- How much does it cost to rent a camera for a day?
- Typical camera-store day rates in 2026: Canon EOS R5 about $50, Canon EOS R6 about $30, Canon 5D Mark IV $50–$120, Sony A1 about $75, Sony A7R V about $60, Nikon Z9 about $90, Nikon D850 $60–$120. Fast zooms run about $35 a day for a 70-200mm f/2.8 and about $30 for a 24-70mm f/2.8. A three-light strobe kit is about $25–$30.
- Do camera stores rent over the weekend at a one-day rate?
- Many do, and it is the single biggest saving in camera rental. The common structure is pick up after about 3pm Friday, return by about 11am Monday, and pay one day. It is not universal — ask specifically for the weekend rate rather than assuming, because a shop that does not offer it will bill you three days.
- What do weekly and monthly camera rentals cost?
- A week typically bills at three to four times the daily rate, and a month at ten to twelve times daily. That makes a long shoot far cheaper per day than a short one — but watch the fine print, because late fees are frequently exempt from the weekly cap and are charged per day on top.
- What deposit do I need to rent a camera?
- It varies more than anything else in rental. Some shops take a card authorisation for a nominal amount; others hold the full replacement value of the gear, which on a Nikon Z9 body and a fast zoom is several thousand dollars. Ask what the hold is and when it is released before you commit, especially near a card limit.
- Is the damage waiver worth it?
- A damage waiver usually runs about 15% of the rental cost. On a $50 body for a weekend that is roughly $7.50 to cap your exposure on an item worth thousands. Check whether your homeowner or renter policy, or a business insurance rider, already covers rented equipment — if it does, you are paying twice.
- Can I put the rental fee toward buying the camera?
- Frequently, yes — "try before you buy" is a standard camera-store policy and it is a real reason to rent locally instead of by mail. Published examples: Art’s Cameras credits the daily rate if you buy within 7 days, Midwest Photo allows 14 days, PROCAM credits up to a 3-day fee within 30 days, Wex credits 2 days, and Pictureline credits 10%. Terms differ shop to shop, so confirm before the rental starts, not after.
- Are these cine rental houses?
- No. This directory lists walk-in camera stores that happen to run a rental counter, plus film labs and repair shops. If you need a fully kitted cine package with a prep bay, an expendables order and a technician on call, you want a dedicated production rental house — a different business with different pricing. What is listed here is for the photographer who needs a longer lens for the weekend.
Related
- Used cameras — the cheaper answer to "should I buy this"
- Sell camera gear — trade in what the rental replaced
- Camera repair — when your own body is the problem
- Film developing
- Photo printing
- Passport photos
- Shop by brand
- All camera stores by state