Camera Equipment Depreciation Calculator — Know Your True Cost Per Rental

Equipment Details

Purchase Price ($)

Rental Cycles Per Month

Estimated Service Life (months)

Typical: cameras 24-36 mo, lenses 48-60 mo

Monthly Maintenance Cost ($)

Depreciation Breakdown

Depreciation Per Rental

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Monthly Depreciation —

Total Rental Cycles in Lifespan —

Estimated Residual Value —

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How It Works

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Enter Equipment Details

Input the purchase price, how often you rent it out, expected service life, and monthly maintenance costs.

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See Per-Rental Cost

The calculator divides the total depreciable cost across your rental cycles to show the true cost per booking.

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Plan Replacements

Know your monthly depreciation and residual value so you can budget for equipment replacements before gear reaches end of life.

Track Equipment Value Automatically

Reservety tracks rental cycles, revenue per item, and maintenance costs so you always know which gear is earning its keep and which is due for replacement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How fast do rental cameras depreciate?

Camera bodies depreciate fastest - typically losing 30-40% of value in the first year and reaching end of rental life in 24-36 months due to new model releases and heavy use. Lenses hold value much better, lasting 48-60 months in rental service. Lighting and audio equipment can last 36-48 months. Plan to sell retired gear at 10-20% of purchase price on the used market.

Why should I calculate depreciation per rental?

Knowing your per-rental depreciation tells you the minimum you must charge to cover equipment replacement. If a camera depreciates at $15 per rental and your daily rate is $150, you know $15 of each rental goes toward replacing the camera. Add maintenance costs and you have your true cost basis. Everything above that is profit. Without this number, you are guessing whether your rates are actually profitable.

Should I use straight-line or accelerated depreciation for rental gear?

For rental pricing purposes, straight-line depreciation (equal amount each month) is simpler and works well. For tax purposes, many rental businesses use Section 179 or accelerated depreciation to deduct the full purchase price in year one. Consult your accountant for tax strategy, but use straight-line for rate-setting since it gives you a consistent per-rental cost.