The True Cost of Renting vs Owning Camera Gear
In the fast-moving world of film, broadcast, and live event production, the decision to rent or buy camera equipment is more than just a financial one — it’s a question of strategy. For many production teams, owning gear provides creative freedom and convenience. But for others, renting camera equipment vs buying can drastically reduce costs, increase flexibility, and keep projects competitive with cutting-edge technology.
At MTJIBS (Michael C. Taylor Productions), we understand the demands of modern productions. Our inventory includes industry-leading equipment — from the Jimmy Jib Triangle and Technocrane 22 to the Agito Dolly and Shotover G1 Gimbal — all available with professional crews who ensure smooth operation, safety, and broadcast-level precision.
Key Takeaways
Table of Contents
Upfront Costs: Renting vs Buying Explained
Purchasing professional camera gear requires a significant investment. A single Technocrane or Agito Dolly system can cost tens of thousands of dollars alone, not to mention the additional expenses for transport cases, batteries, tripods, and calibration tools.
Beyond the purchase price, owning means committing to ongoing maintenance, software updates, repairs, and insurance coverage, which can quickly add up and eat into your yearly production budget. Even for established studios, tying up that much capital in depreciating equipment can limit flexibility when new technologies emerge or project requirements shift.
By contrast, when you rent camera gear, you’re only paying for what you actually need — when you need it. This approach makes it possible for smaller production companies, marketing agencies, or independent filmmakers to access the same top-tier cinematic tools used on major network productions without the long-term financial burden.
Renting from MTJIBS provides access to a complete lineup of industry-standard motion systems, including the Jimmy Jib Triangle, Technocrane 22, and Agito Dolly, all maintained and operated by professional crews. It’s the perfect way to achieve broadcast-level quality on any project — without the overhead of ownership.
Cost Over Time: Budgeting for Ownership vs Rental
Owning professional camera equipment is more than just a one-time purchase — it’s a long-term financial commitment. Beyond the initial cost, production teams must budget for upgrades, repairs, calibration, and secure storage, all of which add up significantly over time. Technology in film and broadcast evolves rapidly, and depreciation starts the moment a camera, jib, or stabilization rig is purchased. Even high-end rigs like Technocranes, Jimmy Jib systems, and Agito Dollies lose value quickly as newer, more versatile models become available.
By contrast, renting camera gear allows production teams to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in camera movement and motion control without the burden of ownership. MTJIBS ensures that every rental rig — from high-speed jibs to multi-terrain dollies — is maintained, calibrated, and field-tested before each shoot. This approach provides broadcast-ready performance while avoiding the long-term costs of depreciation and maintenance that ownership entails.
Equipment Depreciation and Upgrade Cycles
Professional camera systems and accessories have a surprisingly fast depreciation curve. For example:
- A high-end camera body can lose 30% of its value in the first year alone.
- Stabilization rigs and robotic dollies may become less compatible with new control systems or software upgrades within 2–3 years.
- Lenses and gimbals often require firmware updates or mechanical adjustments that incur additional costs over time.
MTJIBS continuously updates its inventory to meet current industry standards. Our Jimmy Jib systems, Technocranes, and Agito dollies are always maintained in-house, calibrated by experienced technicians, and ready for immediate use. This ensures that clients benefit from peak operational performance without absorbing depreciation or obsolescence costs.
When It Makes Sense to Buy Your Own Gear
Owning gear may be appropriate for teams with consistent, predictable production schedules, such as in-house marketing teams, broadcast studios, or recurring live-stream operations. Ownership provides:
- Immediate availability of your preferred rigs and accessories
- Familiarity for your crew, reducing setup time
- Creative control over calibration and configuration
However, ownership still comes with ongoing responsibilities:
- Secure and climate-controlled storage space for large rigs
- Maintenance and calibration to ensure reliable performance
- Insurance coverage for accidents, theft, or damage
- Upgrade costs to keep pace with technology
Before purchasing, production teams should calculate the ROI by comparing anticipated usage, maintenance costs, and replacement cycles to the benefits of immediate availability and creative control. If gear will sit idle for months at a time, buying may not be financially efficient.
When Rentals Save Time and Money
Renting is particularly effective for projects with variable gear needs, such as:
- Music festivals with multiple stages and aerial shots
- Sports broadcasts requiring tracking and dynamic movement
- Live events needing flexible setups for different venues
At MTJIBS, every rental includes professional operators and crew who handle setup, calibration, and operation of each system. This not only saves time but also reduces stress on production days, allowing directors and DPs to focus on storytelling.
Renting eliminates costs associated with:
- Equipment maintenance and calibration
- Insurance and liability coverage
- Storage and transport logistics
By renting, production teams gain access to the latest, high-quality equipment without committing to long-term expenses, while still benefiting from professional expertise in camera movement and live production.
Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance Costs
Owning gear often requires in-house trained technicians capable of maintaining complex systems, repairing mechanical issues, and ensuring safety during shoots. These hidden costs can easily exceed daily rental rates for professional rigs.
At MTJIBS, every rental includes a dedicated crew of experienced operators familiar with our equipment, from the Technocrane 22’s telescopic precision to the Agito Dolly’s multi-terrain adaptability. Our team handles all technical details, including:
- System calibration and balancing
- Rigging and counterweight adjustments
- Safe operation in crowded or outdoor environments
All equipment is professionally maintained and insured, providing both reliability and peace of mind for your production.
How to Evaluate Gear ROI for Your Team
When deciding between renting camera equipment vs buying, production teams should ask themselves:
- How frequently will the gear be used?
If your team shoots less than 12 times per year, renting is usually more cost-effective. - Does the project demand specialized or high-end motion equipment?
Renting ensures access to the right tool for every project without large upfront costs. - Can your crew safely handle, maintain, and transport the gear?
MTJIBS provides trained operators who manage logistics and operation. - Are you prepared for depreciation and obsolescence?
Renting eliminates financial risk and ensures access to the latest models.
In most scenarios, renting provides greater flexibility, predictable costs, and higher ROI, particularly when factoring in crew expertise, technical support, and ongoing equipment updates.
Final Recommendation: When to Rent vs Own
Ultimately, the decision to rent or buy comes down to your production frequency, team size, and specific creative needs. While owning gear can provide convenience for consistent, repeated shoots, many productions find that renting offers unmatched flexibility, cost efficiency, and access to cutting-edge technology.
For large-scale events, live broadcasts, and cinematic productions, renting from MTJIBS provides a strategic advantage:
- Access to the Latest Professional Equipment: MTJIBS maintains an inventory of industry-standard rigs — including Jimmy Jib Triangles, Technocrane 22s, Agito Dollies, and Shotover Gimbals — fully updated, calibrated, and ready for immediate deployment. This ensures your production benefits from state-of-the-art camera movement and stabilization without the financial burden of purchasing or upgrading equipment.
- A Skilled Crew That Ensures Broadcast-Ready Operation: Every rental comes with experienced operators and technicians who handle setup, balancing, counterweights, and camera calibration. Their expertise ensures smooth, repeatable motion, reduces operator error, and allows your creative team to focus on storytelling, framing, and live direction rather than technical logistics.
- Predictable Costs and No Long-Term Depreciation: Unlike ownership, renting eliminates the hidden costs of maintenance, insurance, storage, and depreciation. MTJIBS clients know exactly what their daily or project-based rental costs will be, making budgeting easier and reducing financial risk.
- Hassle-Free Setup, Calibration, and Support: From pre-production planning to wrap, MTJIBS manages all technical details. Our crews handle track layout, jib balancing, robotic dolly programming, and on-site adjustments, ensuring every shot meets professional standards with minimal stress for your team.
- Scalable Solutions for Any Production: Whether you’re covering a multi-stage music festival, a national sports broadcast, or a live award show, MTJIBS can provide the right combination of rigs and operators. This scalability means productions can expand or adjust on demand, a flexibility that purchasing gear rarely offers.
When your reputation depends on flawless execution, renting from MTJIBS guarantees that camera movement, stabilization, and performance are delivered by a trusted professional team. With our experience, top-tier equipment, and comprehensive support, your production achieves broadcast-quality results without the overhead and risks of owning high-end gear.
In short, for most commercial productions, renting camera equipment vs buying is the smarter choice, allowing teams to focus on creativity, efficiency, and delivering spectacular results — every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — especially for production teams with variable or infrequent shooting schedules. Renting avoids maintenance, depreciation, and upgrade costs while giving you access to premium tools on demand.
Each rental includes professional setup, calibration, and an experienced crew. Our inventory includes Jimmy Jib Triangles, Technocranes, Agito Dollies, and more — all maintained and ready for broadcast-level production.
Absolutely. MTJIBS services productions across Florida and beyond, providing full camera movement solutions for festivals, sports broadcasts, corporate events, and award shows.
Evaluate your production schedule, project variety, and budget. If you shoot irregularly or require specialized rigs like jibs, dollies, or robotic camera systems, renting from MTJIBS provides flexibility, reduces overhead, and ensures access to industry-standard equipment and trained operators.
Yes — MTJIBS specializes in live event coverage, including sports, concerts, and award shows. Our crews handle setup, calibration, and synchronized operation of multiple rigs to ensure seamless camera movement and broadcast-quality results across all feeds.
MTJIBS offers a wide range of camera movement and stabilization gear, including Jimmy Jib Triangles, Technocrane 22s, Agito Dollies, Shotover Gimbals, and motion-control systems. All rentals include professional crew support to operate, calibrate, and maintain the equipment for flawless production execution.
Ready to Make the Smart Choice?
Don’t let your production budget get tied up in aging, depreciating equipment — or risk delays and errors due to outdated gear. By renting professional-grade camera systems and expert crews from MTJIBS, your team gains access to industry-leading tools like the Jimmy Jib Triangle, Technocrane 22, Agito Dolly, and Shotover Gimbals, all maintained, calibrated, and ready for immediate deployment.
With MTJIBS, you’re not just renting gear — you’re partnering with a trusted production team that handles setup, calibration, and operation, allowing your directors, DPs, and camera operators to focus on creativity, storytelling, and flawless execution.
Whether you’re shooting live sports, large-scale music festivals, award shows, or cinematic branded content, MTJIBS ensures predictable costs, professional support, and broadcast-quality results — without the long-term overhead of ownership.
Take your productions to the next level today. Explore our full suite of camera movement equipment or request a personalized quote to see how MTJIBS can elevate your next shoot.
Contact MTJIBS now to book your rental and crew for precise, professional camera motion that delivers every time.
P.S. We have Emmys! Your production benefits from award-winning experience and expertise — giving you the confidence that your next project is in the hands of true industry professionals.
MTJIBS
Contact us today for a quote on the best professional camera movement & crew rental for your next video production project.
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