Photography business · Gear
Camera and lens rent vs buy calculator.
Enter the rental price and how often you need the gear, and see how many rental days a year make buying cheaper.
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How this is calculated
Buying cost per year = (price - resale value) / years kept + insurance and repairs. Renting cost per year = daily rental x days. Break-even days = buying cost per year / daily rental. Rent more days than that and buying wins. This ignores financing and the return on cash you keep by renting.
Worked example. A lens that rents for $75 a day, needed 10 days a year, costs $750.00 a year to rent. Bought for $2,200 and resold for $1,100 after 4 years, with $60 a year insurance, it costs ($2,200 - $1,100) / 4 + $60 = $335.00 a year. Buying saves $415.00 a year. Break-even is $335.00 / $75 = 4.5 rental days a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a camera lens?
It depends on how many days a year you need it. Below the break-even number of rental days, renting is cheaper. Above it, buying is cheaper if you can resell at the price you entered.
Can I pass rental costs to the client?
Many photographers add a gear rental line to the quote for specialist equipment. That is your pricing choice, so state it in the quote.
What about financing and cash?
This tool ignores interest and the opportunity cost of tying up cash. If you finance, add the yearly interest to insurance and repairs.
How should I estimate resale value?
Check recent used listings for the same model. Gear that is replaced by a new model can drop in value quickly, so be conservative.
Sources
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No external source applies. Every figure is arithmetic on the numbers you enter.
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Estimate
Estimate based on the numbers you enter. It is not financial, tax or legal advice.