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Shiv Rajagopal is a filmmaker based out of Hong Kong & Los Angeles. With a background as a producer of indie films, music videos, and commercials, he writes about the entertainment industry at large. He is also the Co-Founder of Forgotten Films, an indie film company with a slate of films revolving around superheroes from the golden age of comics.
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Choosing the right film equipment is crucial. However, renting from traditional rental houses can be expensive, especially for lower-budget productions.
That’s where ShareGrid comes in! As a popular peer-to-peer equipment rental platform, ShareGrid connects filmmakers with high-quality, affordable gear from verified owners. Whether you're a seasoned cinematographer or just starting out, you’ll find the equipment you need.
ShareGrid recently updated its list of the most rented gear in 2024. To help filmmakers make informed decisions, we’ve broken it down here so you can see what’s in demand and why.
The Aputure Spotlight Mount is a lighting modifier for filmmakers looking for greater precision and control. Released in 2019, this accessory works seamlessly with Aputure’s LED lights, making it an excellent choice for creating sharp, focused beams. Thanks to its high-resolution optics, it can deliver a crisp spotlight effect.
On ShareGrid, the Aputure Spotlight Mount rental costs anywhere between $10 and $30 per day. Since it’s an attachment rather than a standalone light, you must pair it with an Aputure lighting unit.
Speaking of Aputure lighting, the next item on our list is the Aputure Light Storm LED Light Kit. This rental includes everything from the power cables and batteries to the mount and lighting unit itself, making it a convenient all-in-one option for cinematographers.
It was released in 2019 as an upgrade to the original C300d and delivers 20% more brightness. Other standout features include pre-programmed lighting effects and a fanless control box for silent operation.
On ShareGrid, the Aputure Light Storm rents for $40 to $80 per day.
The Sony FX6 Full-Frame Cinema Camera offers professional-grade features in a lightweight body. It's part of Sony’s cinema line of cameras and suitable for filmmakers who need high-end image quality without the size or cost of larger cinema cameras.
The FX6 delivers a cinematic look straight out of the camera and excels in low-light conditions. Thanks to its versatility and portability, it has become a go-to option for documentaries, short films, music videos, commercials, and indie productions.
The Sony FX6 camera body rents for $80 to $120 per day on ShareGrid. The rental cost of the entire camera package ranges from $200 to $400 per day.
Next on our list is the Aputure Light Dome II, a softbox for the Aputure Light Storm COB lights. Released in 2019, this attachment is perfect for filmmakers looking to control light spill and achieve a soft, cinematic look. The softbox offers varying degrees of diffusion, a honeycomb grid, and a built-in gel holder for creative color effects.
What makes the Light Dome II stand out is its efficiency, which is essential on set. It’s also easy to set up and break down, making it ideal for run-and-gun productions. On ShareGrid, the Aputure Light Dome II rents for $5 to $10 per day, making it one of the cheapest yet high-impact items on this list.
Staying in the Aputure family, the Light Storm LS 300X LED Light Kit comes in at sixth place. One of its standout features is its adjustable color temperature, allowing filmmakers to create warmer than tungsten tones or cooler than daylight whites without gels.
Like other Aputure lighting units, it includes built-in lighting effects and a silent control box. The unit can be powered by V-mount batteries, making it an excellent option for remote shoot locations with very little access to power.
On ShareGrid, the Aputure LS 300X rents for $40 to $80 per day, depending on the attachments included in the package.
Oftentimes, it’s not the camera that makes a film look stunning—it’s the lens. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens is industry-standard glass and is widely used across various types of content creation.
Designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, this versatile zoom lens offers consistent performance across a 24mm to 70mm focal range, with excellent low-light capabilities. Whether you're shooting video or photography, this lens is a go-to choice for its versatility.
Renting this lens on ShareGrid costs approximately $30 to $40 per day.
The Aputure LS 600d Pro Light Storm Daylight LED Light is a high-performance lighting unit. It can be controlled wirelessly via a remote or the Sidus Link app, allowing for seamless adjustments without physically touching the unit. Furthermore, the light’s weather-resistant design ensures durability, making it a practical choice for harsh shooting environments.
On ShareGrid, the LS 600d Pro rents for $45 to $80 per day, with larger rental packages available at higher rates.
The Sony Alpha A7S III comes in at third place on ShareGrid’s list of the most rented equipment for 2024. Released in September 2020 as part of Sony’s A7S line, this camera continues Sony’s tradition of delivering exceptional low-light performance, dynamic range, and 4K video capabilities.
The Sony A7S III is an incredibly versatile camera that is popular among social media content creators and professional filmmakers. It’s built to handle run-and-gun productions while delivering high-quality footage.
The Sony A7S III rents for approximately $100 to $150 per day, making it an obvious choice for filmmakers who need a compact yet cinema-quality camera.
Next on our list isn’t a camera, lens, or lighting unit—it’s a dolly. And not just any dolly, but the popular Dana Dolly. This portable dolly system provides smooth, controlled camera movement while remaining easy to transport and set up. Released in the early 2010s, it has become a fan favorite among cinematographers for its ease of use.
The Dana Dolly works with various track options and can be supported using stands, apple boxes, or even placed directly on the ground. Compared to larger, more complex dolly systems, it's also cost-effective and highly portable. This makes it ideal for lower-budget productions looking to achieve cinematic camera movement.
The Dana Dolly Rental Kit rents for $35 to $60 per day on ShareGrid. Many of these rental packages include additional accessories like track rails and support stands.
The Sony FX3, released in February 2021, is the most rented piece of film equipment on ShareGrid in 2024. This camera combines cinema-grade features and quality with a lightweight, versatile design. Most notably, Gareth Edwards’ $80 million sci-fi blockbuster The Creator (2023) was shot using the Sony FX3. The camera’s compact size and low-light performance made it the perfect choice for Edwards' guerrilla-style filmmaking approach.
The Sony FX3 is a standout choice for filmmakers looking for a professional-grade cinema camera that balances power, portability, and affordability. Depending on the accessories included in the package, rentals on ShareGrid can cost between $150 and $300 per day.
In 2024, cameras and lighting gear dominated ShareGrid’s most rented film equipment, but this list only scratches the surface of what the platform truly has to offer. All in all, ShareGrid is a cost-effective alternative for filmmakers working with tight budgets and fast turnarounds.
If you’re gearing up for production, make sure to read up on production insurance before making rental requests. Need coverage for your next project? Speak with Wrapbook’s production insurance brokers to find the best insurance policy for your production.
