7 Best Places to Find Camera Equipment Rentals in Washington D.C.

Looking for the best camera equipment rentals in Washington, D.C.? Then you’ve come to the right place! After all, a good shoot requires a good plan, a good location, a good subject, and good equipment. This more or less explains why we’ve put together this collection of resources for camera equipment rentals in Washington, D.C.

After you’ve read this article, you’ll know some of the best rental spots in the area, so you can get your hands on whatever you need to shoot your interview series, your wedding rehearsal dinner, or your father’s 75th birthday.

You’ll also have a better understanding of why Peerspace is your best bet for booking the perfect shooting location in D.C.It’s not only the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, but it also has several options when it comes to adding the necessary gear to your booking. Read on to learn more.

1. DC Camera

2810-B Merrilee Dr. Fairfax, VA 22031

DC Camera is in the metro area but not D.C. proper. However, their selection is second to none on this list of camera equipment rentals in Washington D.C.

DC Camera has fair-priced, high-end cinema offerings from Arri, RED, Phantom, and Sony, as well as mid to high camera offerings from Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. On the still-photography side of things, they’ve got whatever you might need, with DSLR cameras from Sony, Canon, Leica, and Nikon, as well as medium-format options from Hasselblad and others. And, as you would expect from an outfit this well equipped, they have a full range of lenses, lighting equipment, tripods, and then some.

D.C. Camera is an hour or so outside the city center, but their equipment is well worth the drive.

2. District Camera and Imaging 

1225 I Street NW, Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20005

District Camera has a small but solid lineup of DSLR and mirrorless DSLR cameras for rent. Canon, Nikon, Sony — basically what you’d expect. Their prices are fair, but you should factor in that there will be a sizeable credit-card deposit required from you upfront as insurance. They also rent lighting, lenses, flashes, and tripods, so if you’re shooting still photography, they’ve got your bases covered.

District Camera also has locations in Burke and Arlington. They’ve been a family-owned operation since 1978. That’s reason enough to go check them out.

3. Aperturent

1025 Connecticut Ave NW #609, Washington, D.C. 20036

Aperturent has stores in D.C., Dallas, and Atlanta and provides top-notch camera equipment rentals for your photo and video projects. In fact, they carry a wide range of Blackmagic, Sony, RED, and Canon cinema cameras and Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Additionally, you can rent lenses, lighting, and camera support equipment from them.

Aperturent also has a straightforward rental process, ideal for any professional working on a production with a tight deadline. Simply place your order online, and you can choose to have your gear delivered to you or pick it up from one of their three locations.

4. Lensrentals

Lensrentals offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable selections of digital cameras and camera equipment around. They’ll deliver directly to your home or business and do not charge you until the day your order ships. While they do not require a deposit, they do offer their proprietary LensCap+ insurance to protect you and the gear in case of damage or theft.

Lensrentals typically run a variety of sales for new renters. They also often offer well-thought-out bundle packages to help you save by bundling things you’re likely to rent together anyway. Additionally, they fully support all of their products, so if you have any issues at all, give them a call, and they’ll sort it out for you. It does bear stating explicitly that Borrow Lenses is not a local company. Still, go ahead and check them out just to get an idea of prices; it could help you make a better decision down the line.

5. KitSplit

KitSplit isn’t actually local either, though it is in a sense. KitSplit allows you to rent other people’s gear, and the prices are very fair. And because it pulls from the entire D.C. creative community, KitSplit usually has the most incredible variety of equipment at the best prices. And because it’s a marketplace, you don’t just get one price per piece of equipment. You can compare prices, compare deals, and really feel like you’ve rented smart.

Plus, you’ll know you’re renting from a fellow creative — a member of the family, so to speak. KitSplit also makes the insurance side of things super easy, which will save you time and money when it comes to camera equipment rentals in Washington D.C.

6. Pro Photo

2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Pro Photo rents only digital photography equipment, no video. They’ve got a solid lineup of Nikons and Canons that are more than enough to handle any shoot, along with a smart selection of lenses, lighting, stands, backdrops, and so on. Like others on this list of camera equipment rentals in Washington D.C., they will require a credit card for an equipment deposit. They then release your card upon returning the equipment.

You can rent equipment for one week for the price of three days, two weeks for the cost of six days, and so on. They prefer to start a rental transaction over the phone, but walk-ins are acceptable too. Pro Photo’s staff have a reputation for being knowledgeable and helpful. Give them a call.

7. AA Rental

2239 Distribution Circle, Silver Spring, MD 20910

AA Rental is just a short drive from the heart of D.C. in Silver Spring. But they are certainly worth the drive if you need other production gear on top of your camera rentals. They carry a great range of DSLRs from brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony, as well as cinema cameras by Sony, Canon, and Black Magic. Plus, you can also rent lighting, projectors, mics, sound gear, and computers.

Their prices vary based on the type of gear you need and for how long, of course. But you can request a custom quote through their website. AA Rental also offers one-day rates for Friday through Monday rentals, which is quite nice for weekend productions. Overall, they are a solid choice for just about any production or event.

Bonus: Peerspace for camera equipment rentals in Washington D.C.

DC photo studio with cyc wall
Source: Peerspace

Wouldn’t it be great if somehow you could book a space and gear at the same time? Well, we’ve got you covered. Many Peerspace hosts offer gear rentals, and some even provide bundles discounts when you rent the gear and location simultaneously.

The equipment usually matches the space — that is, you’ll find DSLR cameras in places where still photography is most common, and video cameras are more commonly available through studios and sound stages. This means you get both a stunning and inspiring private venue to call your own by the hour as well as high-quality gear to tinker with.

Plus, when you book a Peerspace venue that lacks anything you need, you’ll have the full support of the Concierge service. Our equipment and logistics pros can source exactly what you need and deliver it to your venue. And that doesn’t just include camera equipment. It also provides catering, A/V gear, furnishings, and so much more.

Camera equipment rentals in Washington D.C. are easier with Peerspace

gorgeous studio in georgetown
camera equipment rentals in washington d.c.
Source: Peerspace

There are all sorts of reasons to be interested in camera equipment rentals. Maybe you’re an amateur looking to get stunning pictures of your daughter’s Sweet 16 party. Or perhaps you’re a film professional who shoots sneaker ads during the day and short films on the weekend. Either way, renting equipment can free up your time. It also allows you new ways to capture your inspiration on film.

No matter your project or needs, Peerspace has you covered when it comes to location and equipment. With thousands of incredible venues in D.C. and beyond, you can be sure we have the perfect space for your vision. Beyond that, we can also find and deliver your equipment to you at your venue. With your exceptional taste and eye, the perfect gear, and the ideal location, something special is bound to happen.


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