Keeping up with the latest trends and updates in photo equipment can be expensive, and many photographers — professional and amateur alike — choose to rent instead of buying gear outright. Both are appropriate options, depending on your situation. Here’s how to tell which is smartest for you.

When to Buy

It still costs money to rent a camera for several days. Depending on the length of time your project will take, it may make more sense to buy the camera, tripod, or lights. Calculate the cost of renting per day and the number of days you need the gear, then compare that to buying the equipment. If you think you’ll use it longer than 30 days, it may not make sense to rent. If you intend to use the photo equipment as long as you can, buy it. When it becomes outdated, you may get a good price for it regardless.

Certain accessories, like grips, are cheap enough that you should consider buying them new. They last a long time and won’t become outdated quickly like digital cameras. However, if you rarely use them or you hate traveling with equipment, it can be worth it to rent them temporarily.

When to Rent

If you’re not sure if a particular piece of photo equipment is for you, renting is a smart way to try it out before you upgrade. K & R will apply part of the rental fee toward the purchase price if you end up purchasing it. If you’re a professional, sometimes a client will ask for a certain look, but you might not receive enough requests to make investing in the equipment worth it. Rentals are ideal for one-off projects in the short term.

Renting a camera, lights, and accessories also makes sense when traveling. Not only is it easier to transport — saving you the hassle of lugging gear around airports and on buses — but it also prevents you from having to put your beloved gear at risk of being stolen or broken.

K & R Photographics is the Ft. Mitchell, KY, camera store for both professionals and amateurs to buy or rent gear. Offering a wide selection of photo equipment, including the latest from Canon® and Nikon®, their dedicated staff can also provide recommendations for software, computer storage, and digital accessories. For more information, call (859) 341-6986 or visit them online today.