8 Places to Find Camera Equipment Rentals in Chicago (2024)

At Peerspace, we understand the allure of Chicago for creative minds searching for camera equipment rentals. The city is a vibrant canvas for any artist, boasting a breathtaking skyline, the serene beauty of its lake and pier, and the variety of incredible production venues. And let’s not forget the dramatic interplay of the seasons — from the warmth of summer sun to the picturesque snow of winter.

All these elements contribute to the rich tapestry that makes Chicago not just one of the largest cities in the world, but also a thriving hub for the arts. Given this backdrop, it’s clear why there’s a bustling demand for camera equipment rentals in the area. Photographers and videographers, from professionals to hobbyists, seek to capture the essence of Chicago’s spirit, its architectural marvels, and its ever-changing moods.

No matter if it’s for a meticulously planned photoshoot or an impromptu creative project sparked by a moment of inspiration, having access to the right equipment is crucial. Peerspace steps in to meet this demand by offering an easy and accessible platform where creatives can find not just the perfect space for their work but also the resources they need to learn how to bring their creative visions to life.

However, if you’re a local photographer or filmmaker, you may not be totally sure about who to trust for camera equipment rentals in Chicago. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some of the best gear rental spots in the city. Whether you’re shooting for a magazine, a commercial, or shooting a music video in a penthouse overlooking the city, we’ve got you covered.

With rental options ranging from high-end cameras to rare lenses, the following production companies make it seamless for artists to access the resources they need.

1. Dodd Professional offers equipment essentials

2844 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Dodd’s is a Midwest chain with three locations in Ohio and one here in Chicago. They have an awesome selection of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras as well as multiple medium format offerings. Their video equipment options are a bit more limited — topping out at Sony and Canon shoulder-mount models.

Dodd stands out not only for their comprehensive selection of camera equipment but also for their extensive range of accessories. No matter if you’re in need of monitors to keep an eye on every detail, lenses for that perfect shot, rigging and supports for stable visuals, or audio equipment to capture crisp sound, Dodd has it all.

Not to mention, Dodd’s flexible rental terms cater to the dynamic needs of photographers and videographers, regardless of the project’s scale or duration. They understand that not every project requires a long-term equipment commitment, which is why they’ve made it incredibly convenient to rent equipment on a day-by-day basis.

This flexibility is particularly beneficial for short-term projects or for those times when you need to quickly adapt to unexpected changes or opportunities that arise during production. Dodd’s approach to equipment rental is designed with the creative professional in mind, providing not just the tools but the adaptability required in the fast-paced world of photography and videography.

Note: Like some other rental outfits, Dodd will hold a deposit on your credit card equal to the full value of your rental equipment, which they will reimburse to you after you return it in good condition.

2. Eleven04 is your go-to for necessary equipment

2059B West Hastings, Chicago, IL 60608

Eleven04 is a great resource for video camera equipment rentals in Chicago. Before we move on to what makes them so great, let us quickly note that their equipment is solely focused on video production, and as such, you’ll have to look to one of the other companies on this list for photography equipment.

However, Eleven04’s specialization is a strength, not a weakness. They are really good at what they do. They offer a perfect blend of quality and affordability, tailored for the indie filmmaker. Their cinema-quality cameras — popular offerings from RED, Sony, Canon, and Panasonic — are fairly priced, as are their lenses, sound equipment, lighting, support, and so on.

If you’re looking to work with an exciting upstart (a company you can grow right along with), look no further than Eleven04.

Note: it should go without saying, but you will either need insurance or will need to qualify for insurance-exempt status to rent equipment.

3. Magnanimous Rentals delivers the ultimate selection of gear

1100 W. Cermak Rd Unit 123, Chicago, IL 60608

Magnanimous Rentals offers a balanced collection of both video and photography gear at fair prices. Their video and still cameras are all of the highest professional quality, as is the rest of their gear — the monitors, lenses, sound equipment, and so forth.

Magnanimous Rentals also regularly runs short-term discounts on certain products. They call these short-term offers “flash discounts,” and you will notice quite a few of them if you peruse their rental catalog. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to experiment with new gear or a budding creator on a budget, these flash discounts can provide the perfect opportunity to elevate your projects without straining your finances.

To get started, you’ll need to sign up for an online account with them. From there, they make it simple to rent your equipment and arrange to pick it up. Magnanimous can also ship your rental, but there’s a local pickup option if you’re in Chicago.

4. Camera Ambassador is home to top-notch gear

2425 W 14th St Chicago, IL

Camera Ambassador is another really knowledgeable outfit with a nice cross-section of cameras. Their upper-end video cameras are a little more expensive than others on this list, but you can offset that difference by bundling your gear together for discounts.

Like others on this list, Camera Ambassador has everything (and then some) you could need to shoot a daring music video or short film. From the latest in camera technology to an array of lenses for every conceivable shot and specialized rigging gear for complex scenes, Camera Ambassador ensures creative visions are not just supported but fully realized.

One extremely interesting offering that sets Camera Ambassador apart is their crew option. For a reasonable fixed rate per 12-hour day, you can bring a Camera Ambassador crew member on set and put them to work doing something useful — and just by doing so, Camera Ambassador will consider your gear to be entirely insured. This means you don’t have to purchase additional insurance or put up your credit card as collateral.

5. Keslow Camera boasts best-in-class equipment

2602 West 16th St 2nd Floor Chicago, IL 60608

Keslow Camera’s offerings are intended for more of an industry crowd than others on this list. They have locations across the country, Chicago included. Keslow Camera offers numerous top-of-the-line video cameras, both digital and film cameras, and staff several highly skilled technicians who keep the equipment clean and functioning like new.

You’ll need to call or email to inquire about the gear you want, as the prices are not listed online. So there’s no simple-to-use web marketplace with Keslow, as with most of the other companies here. That’s okay, though. Keslow’s quality is top-notch. For the very best camera equipment rentals in Chicago, they’re worth the call.

6. Pro Gear Rental stays true to their name

1740 W. Carroll Ave. Chicago, IL 60612

Pro Gear Rentals offers an excellent mix of camera equipment, something for just about every budget and project. Like some of the other names on this list, Pro Gear focuses more on being a generalist than trying to offer the $70,000 pieces of equipment — and that’s just fine!

Planning a photoshoot? They’ve got the Canon, Nikon, and Phase One cameras you already know you love to shoot on. Shooting a web series, music video, or the like? They have cinema cameras from Canon and Sony that will do the job and do it beautifully. However, if you absolutely need 6k or 8k, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But don’t sleep on the Canon C300 Mark II 4K camera. It is an exquisite tool, and it can get the job done.

7. Helix Camera & Video caters to your equipment needs

100 N. Walnut St, Itasca, IL 60143

Helix Camera & Video’s rental offerings are mostly geared toward digital photography, not so much video — and that’s okay. You don’t necessarily need to rent a camera that’s worth more than some folks’ yearly salaries.

Maybe you just want to take beautiful pictures at your friend’s wedding or your kid’s birthday party. Check out Helix’s rental offerings, as they’re right within your wheelhouse: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Plus, they feature a smart assortment of lenses, support equipment, lighting, and more, all at very competitive prices.

To sweeten the deal, you can rent equipment for a week for the cost of three days, and a month goes for the cost of nine days — which is one of the best time discounts we’ve seen anywhere. If you’ve got a shoot lined up and need affordable photography equipment, Helix can more than satisfy your needs.

8. Daufenbach Camera is the go-to source for high-quality gear

320 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612

Daufenbach Camera is Chicago based but able to ship its gear anywhere across the country. And they have some of the best gear for filmmakers out there. From Arri and Red to Sony and GoPro, the gear Daufenbach keeps in its inventory can help bring just about any project to life. They also rent out lenses, primes, and other support gear, making them a production powerhouse.

Fun fact: Daufenbach even proudly name the movies they have assisted over the years, which include comedies like Dirty Weekend and Drinking Buddies. Check out their website for their gear selection and to obtain a quick quote.

Bonus: Explore incredible gear at a Peerspace venue

Need equipment? Peerspace can help with that too! You may not know this, but many of our hosts are industry professionals and actually rent gear directly from their location. This is convenient for many reasons.

First, the hosts know the space better than anyone, meaning they’ll have gear tailored to the space (and may even have ideas for setup). Second, renting gear directly from a Peerspace host is often cheaper than renting the gear and space separately. Finally, when you rent gear from your Peerspace host, you don’t need to spend time picking up or dropping off your gear. Once you’re done with the location, you’re done with the gear: simple as that.

Discover high-quality camera equipment rentals in Chicago

Renting equipment is an excellent way to experiment without purchasing new and expensive pieces of gear. Experienced photographers and filmmakers can add new and striking work to their portfolios without top-of-the-line cameras. Newbies and hobbyists can take shots that thrill them (and maybe even catch the photography bug themselves). And professionals can try before they buy.

With the freedom to rent any gear you want and book a variety of unique locations through Peerspace, there should be fewer obstacles between you and your work.

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