Renting my DVX100A

S

solproductions

Member
I have been asked by a theatre arts teacher if I would rent my DVX to him and some of his friends to tape a short. What rate should I give him? Does anyone have a contract or some type of information that may help me in making some money if my I am not using my camera now.

Pete
 
Rates for renting a DVX in the LA market are anywhere from $125 to $175 per day. Personally, I would recommend that you hire yourself out as a owner/opperator as opposed to renting, unless they can offer you protection in the form of a production insurance policy.
 
Do what khmuse said and hire yourself out with the camera. Under no circumstances should you rent it out. If you're hurting for cash, it's an extra reason NOT to rent it out, not a reason TO do so. A thousand different things could happen to your camera. Which could you afford to do without, your $3,000+ camera or the comparatively small change you get from renting it to someone?

I loaned out a tripod and when I got it back the head was ruined by some complete idiot who fiddled around with it. That was a tripod that isn't even close to being fragile like a DV camera is. I was fully reimbursed so that I could buy a new one, but will you be as lucky if your camera gets broken? On the chance that your camera did get damaged, could you afford to be without it while it's at the shop getting repaired? Would you lose valuable work if that happened? If the camera is unrepairable, do the people you're renting to have the money on hand to buy a replacement?

If you decide to rent it out, have the person renting it sign a detailed contract holding them, and no one else, 100% responsible for the camera and that they acknowledge that the camera is in perfect working order upon receiving it. This is absolutely necessary no matter how honest and stand up (you think) the person is. Maybe you can look at some rental company websites and see if they actually have any contracts on their sites, or maybe you can acquire a copy from them.
 
I just got asked this same sort of question last week at work. A co worker wants to rent my camera to shoot a wedding. My DVX100 is my "LEXUS" and I don't want any ol' body handling my camera! However, we both work at a TV station and he uses my $50,000 betacam several days a week but still we are talking about an investment that I made with buying the DVX100. He suggested that I write up a contract that states that he will buy or replace anythng that gets broken should something happen. Maybe you need to do the same thing. Your situation is a bit different because not only is the Teacher going to be using it but the students who have no idea how to use or properly handle the camera will be screwing the thing up. I wouldnt rent it to him but if you do make sure write up a contract and be SPECIFIC in the contract what he is liable for in terms of something happening to the camera.

Make sure you do like they do when you go to rent a car....look the camera over right there together and point out the scratches and dings or whatever thats on the camera if any.

Ive never rented my professional gear out but I have lent my Hi8 cameras out to people before.
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for the help on this matter. I know where you are coming from. I guess I have the same reservation about renting by DVX. I will consider your advice. I will more than likely offer my services instead of renting out my DVX. Thanks Again.

Pete
 
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