Photography business · Gear
Camera gear cost per shoot calculator.
Divide what a camera or lens costs you, after resale, over the shoots you use it for, and add that cost to your pricing.
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How this is calculated
Depreciation per year = (purchase price - resale value) / years of use. Add yearly insurance and repairs, then divide by shoots per year. This is straight-line depreciation for pricing, not a tax calculation.
Worked example. A $3,200 camera body expected to resell for $1,200 after 4 years: ($3,200 - $1,200) / 4 = $500.00 a year. Add $100 a year for insurance and repairs for $600.00, and divide across 40 shoots: $15.00 per shoot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out gear cost per shoot?
Subtract the resale value from the price, divide by the years you will use the item, add yearly insurance and repair costs, and divide by the shoots per year.
Is this the same as tax depreciation?
No. Tax depreciation (capital cost allowance in Canada) follows set classes and rates. The Canada Revenue Agency lists Class 8 at 20% for other business equipment and Class 12 for tools under $500. Confirm the class for your gear with an accountant.
What if I use the lens on every shoot?
Enter your total shoots per year. Add the body, lenses, flashes and laptop one at a time, then add the per-shoot results together.
What resale value should I use?
Look at recent used listings for the same model and age, and be conservative. If you cannot guess, use 0 for a cautious figure.
Sources
Checked
Per-shoot figures are arithmetic on your numbers. The CRA page is cited only for the tax classes named in the FAQ.
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Estimate
Estimate based on the numbers you enter. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. It is not tax advice. Tax depreciation follows separate rules.