8 Best Places to Find Camera Equipment Rentals in Portland

Portland, Oregon, has a rich tradition of independent filmmaking. Even its commercial ad agencies, like Wieden+Kennedy, are known for producing uniquely unforgettable work. Whether you think of yourself as the next Gus Van Sant or plan to participate in the 48-Hour Film Project, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to find camera equipment rentals in Portland. Check out our list of the city’s top rental houses for photoshoot and video production gear ahead.

And remember, if you need a unique space to shoot your project, count on Peerspace. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we make it easy to scout and book spaces from your device. Along with our list below, we’ll share photos and links of real Portland Peerspace rentals that you can book today. Let’s get started.

1. Pro Photo Supply

1112 NW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Pro Photo Supply is a camera store and rental house that’s open five days a week in NW Portland. They have an extensive equipment list, including cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and more. They also have a photo lab to produce prints, cards, wall art, and photo books. Pro Photo is more suited to photography projects rather than large video shoots, but they do have plenty of digital video equipment, including the Blackmagic URSA Mini and Sony mirrorless cameras.

Pro Photo is also active in the Portland arts community through partnerships with the NW Film Center and other organizations. Attend one of their workshops; for example, past events include “An Evening With Food Photographer Eva Kosmas Flores” and “Going Mobile With Lightroom.”

2. Picture This

2223 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232

Picture This offers equipment rentals and production services for a variety of project types, from film and video to stage. This is a great option if you’re planning a live event, such as a convention or product launch, and want video and audio recordings of your speakers. Picture This has all of the camera gear and stage lighting you need, as well as A/V equipment and projectors.

Picture This is based in NE Portland, but its team members can travel to your event, offering crew and other logistical support. They’ll use 3D renderings to create floor plans and rigging plots — this way, you’ll know exactly what your event space will look like when it’s all set up. Rent their 2.6mm LED video wall for state-of-the-art projection, or enlist their help for post-production services.

3. Gearhead Production Rentals

4720 SE 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Gearhead offers production equipment rentals five days per week in SE Portland. Their facility has everything you’ll need for an on-location shoot, including passenger vans and grip trucks ranging from one-ton all the way up to 10 tons. Choose from camera gear, grip and lighting equipment, and production supplies of all kinds.

They even have canopies, coolers, and climate-control units to keep your cast at a pleasant temperature on a hot or cold day. This is the perfect place to find camera equipment rentals in Portland for an outdoor shoot at any time of year!

4. Coolhand

2034 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Coolhand is a great rental option for photographers, with a grip van available for on-location shoots and a studio for rent in SE Portland.

Coolhand’s inventory includes cameras, lenses, lighting gear, expendables, and more. They also offer iMacs, laptop batteries, external monitors, and printers — everything you need to view and edit your photos before you even leave the set.

5. Camera Solutions

6401 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, OR 97239

Camera Solutions offers rentals, sales, and repairs for a range of digital photography equipment, particularly Nikon and Canon bodies and lenses. If you need a last-minute rental, you can show up at the store and choose from the available inventory. Or, plan ahead and have your camera shipped anywhere in the state of Oregon.

And, when it’s time to return the gear, simply place it back in the Pelican case and box that it arrived in, then bring it to your nearest post office or UPS store.

6. Koerner Camera

2828 SE 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Koerner Camera offers high-end digital video equipment. They were the rental house of choice for major productions in the Pacific Northwest, including Wild, Captain Fantastic, and Leave No Trace.

Choose from the latest camera equipment such as the Arri Alexa Mini and the 4K Phantom Flex. You’ll also have a variety of lenses and accessories to round out your gear closet. Koerner Camera has offices in both Portland and Seattle, and you can pick up your gear at either location.

7. The Shutterbug

714 SW Washington St., Portland, OR 97205

The Shutterbug has been a Portland production staple since 1971 and has stores across Oregon. As well as being a camera store and film processing center, they also rent cameras and lenses at daily, weekend, and weekly rates.

And while their Beaverton, Salem, and Eugene stores have more options on-site, their Portland location only seems to have a Nikon ZS at the moment. However, they do note that they have more items in stock at their stores than what is reflected online, so be sure to give them a call anyway.

8. KitSplit

KitSplit isn’t a standalone rental house — it’s a peer-to-peer rental service that allows you to rent out equipment from your local community. This is a great 714 SW Washington St.way to try out new gear or find a last-minute rental without the hassle of going to a full-service rental house. Browse the listings and you’ll find local photographers near you offering cameras, lenses, and other gear on a daily or weekly basis.

You can find everything from a Canon C100 to a RED Epic-W 8K kit for a reasonable price per day. All of your rentals come with straightforward insurance options, so you don’t have to worry about being responsible for the full cost if anything gets damaged. And, when you’re not using your production equipment, rent out your own gear and earn extra money. The process of renting out your equipment to fellow photographers is easy using KitSplit’s online booking system.

Bonus: Peerspace

Another great peer-to-peer rental option is Peerspace. While Peerspace is primarily used for location rentals, many of the venues include options for renting furniture, equipment, and any other gear necessary for a photo or video shoot.

Whether you book a professional photo studio or a picturesque Victorian home, ask your host if camera gear can be added to your rental. If not, call up the Peerspace Concierge service, and they’ll quickly connect you with a local vendor.

Whether you’re creating a movie for Filmed by Bike, the EcoFilm Fest, or one of Portland’s many other film festivals, you’ll find an abundance of beautiful locations both indoor and out. You’re sure to get your hands on the gear you need with this list of places to find camera equipment rentals in Portland.

Find a production location in Portland on Peerspace