8 Places to Find Camera Equipment Rentals in Seattle

Looking for the best places to go for camera equipment rentals in the Emerald City? At Peerspace, our goal is to support creatives by offering them access to one-of-a-kind creative spaces in every corner of the world. And if you’re a creative with a vision and a location locked down, naturally you’ll also need the right equipment for the job.

This one goes out to all the creatives in Seattle, pushing the industry forward using your sharp eyes, talent, training, and risk-taking. No matter how large the city grows or how much it changes, you never stop hustling. If you ever need any camera equipment for your next project, check out this list. We’ve put together a time-saving guide of the top places providing camera equipment rentals in Seattle. We also share photos and links of real Peerspace locations in Seattle that you can rent for your creative endeavors.

(The list is a nice mix of local and online options. We placed an emphasis on renting local, though we’d be remiss not to point out some super-affordable online options.)

1. Northwest Camera Co.

4327 Fremont Ave, Seattle, WA, 98103

Northwest Camera Co. is among the most affordable local options on the list. Plus, last we checked, they will beat any locally-advertised rental price. Northwest Camera has an extensive lineup of high-end 4k, 6k, and 8k cameras from all the known suspects (RED, Arri, and Phantom, as well as more affordable offerings from Canon, Sony, Black Magic, and Go Pro). They also boast a wide offering of lenses.

Whatever you’re looking for, they’ve likely got it: monitors, sound equipment, tripods, lights, and so much more (seriously, check out their equipment inventory sample).

Northwest offers weekly pricing for the cost of 3 days and also gives discounts on large orders, both generous offerings. Their extensive product lineup and commitment to saving people money is why we put Northwest first on this list.

2. Glazer’s

517 Dexter Ave. Seattle, WA 98109

Glazer’s is a Seattle staple. Established back in 1935, Glazer’s has grown right along with the city. They’re known for their knowledgeable staff and education initiatives, including their well-regarded workshops and classes.

And in addition to being an excellent source for camera equipment rentals in Seattle, they do their best to stay connected to the local community of creative professionals. They have a variety of professional video equipment at fair prices — just a little more, on average, than some of the others on this list. However, they do not have the higher-end Phantom, Arri, or Red offerings you might expect.

Their digital photography offerings are more comprehensive, including all the staples from Nikon and Canon. Glazer also has a generous selection of mid-format gear from a variety of manufacturers. You can rent gear for a week for 4x the daily cost and for the month for 12x the cost. And, just a friendly heads up, Glazer’s will require a deposit if you do not have a customer account with them.

3. Koerner’s

101 Nickerson St. #500 Seattle, WA 98109

Koerner’s has a more modest collection of cameras than some of its competitors, but it hits all the right notes. They offer a nicely considered selection of mid to high-quality video equipment and a nice but limited selection of Canon and Sony DSLR mirrorless cameras. Their cameras are marginally more expensive than the most affordable options on this list, but Koerner’s more than makes up for it with expertise.

In fact, their staff prides itself on their practical knowledge — how to use the equipment to get great shots. Koerner’s is only located in the PNW, with one location here in Seattle and another in Portland. They’re also involved with many film initiatives, including assisting in the funding of two annual scholarships for film students at Portland State University. If it really matters to you to work with people who give back to your community, then check out Koerner’s!

4. DBHE Rentals

55 South Atlantic St. Seattle, WA 98134

DBHE has a small but nicely considered cross-section of cameras and lenses at every price point. For their cinema cameras, they have affordable offerings from Black Magic and Canon, as well as higher-end offerings from RED and Phase One. Their DSLRs are limited to Canon and Sony. They have similarly on-point offerings of lenses, monitors, lights, and so on — everything you could need for even an ambitious shoot.

Like others on this list, DBHE has weekly and monthly deals for their rentals. One week costs the same as 4 days. One month costs the same as 12 days. And do keep in mind that with all the local rental options, there will be either a deposit or insurance requirement. We’re sure you’re already used to that, but it bears repeating.

5. Oppenheimer Cine Rental

7400 Third Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108

Oppenheimer Cine Rental focuses on digital and film cinema cameras and other film equipment and therefore does not have a digital photography offering. However, if you’re looking to gear up for your film project, Oppenheimer’s is a good place to start.

They’ve got a solid selection of good and great digital cameras. In fact, they also have film offerings that most of the others on this list simply don’t. Just so you know, they do not list their prices online, so you’ll need to call or email them for a quote.

6. Victory Studios

2247 15th Ave. West, Seattle, WA 98119

Victory Studios is another cinema-focused rental outfit. Their camera offerings are about as limited as DBHE’s. Still, they’ve got you covered from the low to high end: Panasonic, Canon, and RED. The lenses and the rest of their offerings are a bit more extensive, especially their lighting.

They provide rental camera equipment globally yet mainly serve the PNW. Additionally, Victory makes it a point to hire staff with production experience. If you like working with people who really get what you’re doing, give them a shot.

7. Lens Rentals

True, Lens Rentals is an online service, meaning that it might not have the local credentials of the others on this list. However, as we all know, online can often mean “more affordable”. Go ahead, and check them out.

Lens Rentals got everything you need for still photography and video, and they’re almost always running deals for first-time renters. The one thing to keep in mind is that there is a minimum rental requirement of three days. You have the option to have your equipment shipped to you directly, at home, or at work.

8. PRG Gear

12610 Interurban Ave S #110, Tukwila, WA 98168

Another national outfit, PRG Gear is similar to Lens Rentals in terms of lower prices and greater selection than most local shops. However, they boast 68 locations nationwide, including a Tukwila store, so you can actually go there and talk to a person if you prefer this to online shopping.

In terms of camera rentals, PRG specializes in film equipment, including lenses and accessories. They also offer 24/7 customer service and online quotes.

Bonus: Peerspace

Though Peerspace does not rent gear itself, many of our hosts and studios do, sometimes even offering attractive bundle pricing when you rent both studio space and equipment. So next time you go to book a new space on Peerspace for a photo or video project, look out for hosts who advertise gear rental. Not only will this save you time and stress, but it might just save you some money as well.

You can also ask the Peerspace Concierge service to handle renting camera equipment on your behalf. Just tell them what you need, and they can arrange for it to be delivered to your rental when you need it.

Equipment rentals allow you to experiment with new cameras, lenses, and lighting that is otherwise too expensive to “experiment with”. Whether you’re looking to try before you buy, or you’re trying to pad up your existing equipment for an especially ambitious project, camera equipment rentals offer a simple, affordable means of doing so. With the right equipment, you can guarantee that you’ll capture the perfect shot and create something special.

Seattle camera equipment rentals: conclusion

As you can see, scoring the camera equipment that you need in Seattle doesn’t have to be a major hassle. These retailers make it happen for Seattle creatives in every corner of the city.

You can make it even easier on yourself by booking a well-equipped production studio in Seaatle through Peerspace. Between our helpful hosts and dedicated Concierge service, it’s never been easier to get your project up and running.

Find production spaces in Seattle on Peerspace