Where a videographer can hire camera kit
Every single job as a videographer in London is different. It could be a corporate videography job one day and an art video the next. Each and every video production is unique and with that comes the inevitability of needing specific kit for specific jobs. Of course you can build a base kit as a videographer. However where do yo get additional pieces of kit as and when you require them.
Building a base videographer kit
Most videographers in London have a decent base camera kit. This can consist of two cameras, one of which a larger cinema camera and one a DSLR size camera. The cinema camera serves the purpose of filming interviews with XLR ports for sound and more advanced options such as incremental shutter speed adjustments. The DSLR sized camera is a great light weight option for running on a gimbal. With two cameras comes the need for an array of lenses and two tripods. Lighting kit is the next major piece of kit and a four piece lighting kit is recommended as a minimum. This should cover you for most interview shoots especially if you have a large light head in your kit. Sound wise, I always carry a directional microphone as well as a couple of lapels. In many instances, if your sound kit dies, you cant make your video so having backup options is essential. Other miscellaneous kit includes a gimbal, teleprompter, drone and monitors. So you’ve built your base kit but a shoot comes in where you need something additional. Where do you hire your camera kit from?
Fatllama - a great resource for videographers
Fallama is an online hire website which is used by hundreds of videographers and filmmakers. A major benefit is that you could find someone down the road with the piece of kit you need. This is super useful and avoids he needs o pay a costly delivery fee to a traditional camera hire house. I actually use the map view to book kit along the route I might already be commuting along to my shoot. You could also use this to your advantage and rent your own kit out on the platform too. This enables a second source of income for a videographer whose kit may be sitting gathering dust on certain days. The price is another advantage of this website. Sometimes you can get deals that are cheaper than a hire house or at least the same price. I’ve used this platform for videography jobs all over the UK and it’s incredibly useful. Look out for videographers renting kit who have a high rating for reliability.
Traditional camera kit hire
Before platforms kick fat llama were around, your only real option was the hire house. The benefits of a traditional hire house are the selection of kit and reliability. You will pay more for this service on average but it’s still the service with the largest selection of camera kit. London is full of hire houses regularly used by videographers. Pick a hire house taht hs been operating for a decade or more and a long list of good reviews. Dont forget to sort insurance for any kit you’re hiring!
Online hire
The internet is an incredible resource for videographers and hiring kit online is a great example. Even traditional shops such as WEX now offer online camera hire that you can book through their website. The camera kit can be easily picked up from your nearest store. This is incredibly convenient. Whatever way you choose to hire your camera kit, just know you have a wealth of options to enhance your videography projects.