2010Legal / Business Practices forum
Rental rates for Steadicam mounts and video conversion equipment
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A Garfield mount is typically considered basic kit and not charged as a separate rental item
- Downconverter rentals have traditionally been around $100 per day but can vary based on the specific model
- A common rental rate formula is one percent of purchase price per day, though this is considered conservative
- A more standard rental formula is closer to one-thirtieth of purchase price per day, varying by equipment type
- Equipment like Lambda heads command higher rental rates than similarly-priced alternatives due to demand
- Budget-conscious operators may charge $50 per day for downconverters like the Decimator to remain competitive
- Some operators successfully maintain downconverter rental as a separate line item rather than including it in base rates
- Offering equipment rental as a favor can be leveraged in future rate negotiations
Depends on
- Rental rates vary significantly based on individual operator, rental house, equipment type, and market conditions
- Discussion reflects practices from 2010 and may not represent current market rates
- Strategies discussed are primarily relevant to lower-budget productions and student work
- Different operators report different strategies without consensus on best practices