Rates bottoming out

[Nathan Beaman]

i think its sad that so many people are so desperate to rent their REDs that I've seen many prices are $250 a day -- thats the same an HVX still rents for. Even at $500 a day its cheaper than a beta cam.

Just a little note to bitch.

 

[Curran Giddens]

$250!?
N o o o o o o ....

 

[Evin Grant]

Why bother at those prices?

 

[Jean Déraps]

You'd make more money working at McDonald's...and investing your $35k with Madoff

 

[Ed Watkins]

Thank god I sold my rental unit early on (for a nice profit).

$250/day is just plain silly.

 

[Chris Parker]

we'll never charge $250. nor would our clients ask for that rate. sure there are all kinds of independent owners out there that will basically give their camera away, but larger productions will always go to a rental house, who charges fair prices, and offers the support they need.

I'm sure a guy like Mark at offhollywood would concur. There are many segments within the film industry. Some want the cheapest gear rental, others value service more than a lowball price. I ain't sweating....

 

[J. Bernard Vallon]

A lot of advertised prices like that are the pro-rate for long term rentals. $250 might mean for 30 days, so $7500, which is a lot more reasonably (still low)

I always feel like that kind of bait and switch is just dumb.

 

[Charles Angus]

Which raises the question - why are betacam rental rates so high?

 

[Chris Parker]

hell, soon enough a working betacam SHOULD rent for more than any other camera. it'll be an antique.....can't imagine there will be many working models around in another few years.....in North America anyways....

 

[Costelloe Michael]

Guys,

I think you've got to take into account what is included in that $250 per day. If it's a body, viewing module, base production pack, battery and drive then $250 a day is about 1% of cost. That's probably about right and a fair reflection of the experience anyone offering that level of kit would have. Maybe it's some dude out to do the data work himself and subsidising the camera to get himself on shoots.

On the other hand if it's a full commercial kit with lenses, grips and extensive viewing and data services that's just suicide. Perspective on $250 pd is needed, it doesn't mean anything by itself.

Mike Costelloe

 

[Chris Parker]

$250 for just the body is too cheap. forget about a base production pack, battery and drives. i guess the bottom line however is, you rent it for what you CAN rent it for. that is your price. glad mine is not $250......

 

[Florian Stadler]

High tech equipment with a limited lifespan has to rent at 2-3% to be profitable. So 360-500 for the body ALONE is the only reasonable rate. I rent mine out for 650/day decked out with ET accessories and it's working every week.

 

[Chris Parker]

couldn't agree more with florian. 1% of a piece of gear like this with limited life span is silly. it's not a matte box that will last 10 years......

 

[Nathan Beaman]

yeah - generally 1/45th is the sweet spot. Theres another post somewhere here with UK rental places offering 275 pounds a day which is what --- like 350? still cheap.

not to mention the boards are flooded with "take my cam please" offers.

So funny - and not so funny at the same time.

I have noticed alot of larger rental houses dropping their prices significantly - but still around $800 a day with the basics and an 8 day month as the best price, and only if theres no demand.

 

[Stephen Williams]

yeah - generally 1/45th is the sweet spot. Theres another post somewhere here with UK rental places offering 275 pounds a day which is what --- like 350? still cheap.
.

Hi,

If they bought in the summer the $ was 50p so $550 at their cost.

Stephen

 

[Costelloe Michael]

Umm,

Pespective eh? I get your point about limited lifespan, but surely the same could be said for the old beta cams? Made those guys a fortune in nickels and dimes over the years.

1% has long been the industry standard I think. Keep all those accessories and swap the body? Exciting times, eh?

I got a call from some guys who I did a job for recently, they're having trouble paying and are having to let people go from the agency. Company of 7 people now down to 3 within two months. They keep ringing as a courtesy and apologise about the bill not being paid. £3,000 for two days Red kit hire plus £1500 for my fee. Good money if you can get it?

Mike C

 

[Nathan Beaman]

Anyone whos had their Beta cam for along time made out real well. Longest lasting format in Broadcast history (outside of film of course!) Lots of major programming still uses strictly beta and most television stations are built on it.

 

[Chris Parker]

and most television stations are built on it.

Not for long...

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

I'm sure a guy like Mark at offhollywood would concur. There are many segments within the film industry. Some want the cheapest gear rental, others value service more than a lowball price. I ain't sweating....

I'm not interested in the race to the bottom. There are many ways to make clients happy, and give them more value than just the savings from a cheap rental. Good producers know what really matters.

There will always be a bottom (the low end) ... and there will always be a top - (the high end).

The middle is what falls away.

The view from the top is better.

 

[Brent J. Craig]

hell, soon enough a working betacam SHOULD rent for more than any other camera. it'll be an antique.....can't imagine there will be many working models around in another few years.....in North America anyways....

I know I've been personally responsible for taking one or two Betacams out of circulation.