Photography gear
How to Rent Out Your Camera Gear in Toronto (and What to Charge)
That second lens you bought for one wedding, the backup body, the gimbal you used twice — they could be paying for your next upgrade instead of sitting in a bag.
Why camera gear rents so well
Camera equipment is expensive to buy, people often need it for just one weekend, and it is small enough to hand over at a doorstep. That combination makes it one of the easiest categories to rent out. A renter shooting a friend's wedding, a student film or a family trip would much rather pay for a day or two than buy a lens they will use once.
What rents best
- Fast and specialty lenses: 70–200mm f/2.8, 24–70mm f/2.8, macro lenses and fast primes are frequent requests.
- Mirrorless and DSLR bodies: especially current or recent models, ideally with a spare battery and charger.
- Video gear: gimbals, shotgun and wireless microphones, LED panels and tripods.
- Drones and action cameras: popular for trips and cottage weekends, but check that renters understand Transport Canada's drone rules.
Bundles work well too. A body, a versatile zoom, two batteries and a memory card listed together saves the renter time and usually earns you more than separate listings.
How to price your gear
A common starting point is a daily rate of roughly 3–5% of the item's replacement cost, with a discount for multi-day and weekend rentals. Check what similar items go for on ThingShare in your area and adjust from there.
| Example item | Replacement cost | Daily rate at 3–5% |
|---|---|---|
| Telephoto zoom lens | $2,000 | $60–$100 |
| Mirrorless body | $1,500 | $45–$75 |
| Handheld gimbal | $400 | $12–$20 |
These figures are illustrations, not guarantees. Demand is highest on weekends and in wedding and graduation season, so you can price a little higher then.
Protecting your equipment
- Set a security deposit. ThingShare lets you set a refundable deposit when you list. We recommend 30–50% of the item's replacement value, up to $500 per rental.
- Photograph everything at handover. Take clear photos of the glass, mount and body, and note the shutter count on bodies.
- Include the basics. Lens caps, a padded case and a short care note ("no lens changes in the rain, please") prevent most problems.
- Check your insurance. Many home insurance policies do not cover items you rent to others. Ask your insurer about high-value gear before listing it.
Tip: Renters trust listings with real photos of your actual gear, not stock images. Shoot them in daylight on a plain background — you know how.
What you keep
Listing is free. ThingShare takes a 15% service fee on completed rentals, and Founding Listers keep a permanent 8% rate. Payouts are released within 24 hours of the item being returned and confirmed.
Got something sitting idle?
List it on ThingShare for free in a few minutes. You set the price, the deposit and when it's available.
List your first item free →