#eflenses

The Arri Amira (above) has rapidly become the most requested hire camera

Some Production Managers are finding smart ways to make their camera rental budgets go further...

It's often up to the Production Manager to source the Arri Amira camera for a shoot and there’s more than one way to go about it. Some PM's might decide to leave it all to the Director Of Photography - trusting them to supply only what’s required for the shoot. Others might punch ‘cheapest Amira hire’ into a search engine whereas other Production Managers will choose to capitalise on the business relationships they've cultivated with Camera Facilities Companies by turning to a  tried and tested supplier. Each route has it’s own merits - some have pitfalls.

Leaving it to the DOP to decide what’s needed in the kit is a good place to start. They’ll be more than happy to get the best deal they can on your behalf or, if they come with their own kit you may be incentivised to use that over other available solutions.

Googling ‘cheapest Amira hire’ - or getting hire companies to bid against each other by soliciting multiple quotes is another route some Production Managers take. This can take a while and it’s unlikely you’ll ever get an exact ‘like for like’ comparison as kit components always vary. Some Productions have been caught out when the cheapest kit available to rent turns up on set.

Turn to your trusted Camera Hire Company

Calling up their trusted Camera Hire Company is how most experienced PM’s keep within budget, ensure they only pay for what their production actually needs and guarantee their shoots run smoothly. Asking your Camera Hire Company and DOP to liaise is good practice - they speak the same language, will have your best interests at heart and can save you time and money. Building a relationship with a Facilities Company who place as much value on their service levels as they do on their camera kits will serve Production Managers well. The best Hire Companies place a high value on establishing a good rapport with PM's.

Above: Shoot HD supplied Gate Films with Canon CN-E Cine EF prime lenses

"We shot in England, Scotland and Wales and the lenses were really the stars of the shoot! I can say that one of the DOP's we used commented that he was awestruck at getting to use them". K Hulsey PM Gate Films

Above: A Shoot HD Arri Amira Hire Camera with EF lens Mount

PM's Demand High Service Levels

These days Production Managers expect their facilities company to offer them plenty of free advice and kit options. Not all PM's are tech-heads so it's worth searching out a facilities company who are experienced, easy to talk with, don't blind you with science and who you can always trust to give you a competitive rate without you having to constantly double-check it.

Getting Creative

Creativity starts on a spreadsheet. Hiring an Amira camera body at an unbeatable price may seem like the obvious way to go but are you about to pay even more than the price of the camera for the lenses? Quite Probably and possibly with good reason, but Shoot HD now offer the option to supply Amira cameras with Canon EF mount prime lenses instead of default PL mount primes. This alone can save hundreds of pounds a day and may be a creative route your Director and DOP will be happy to take. This is just one smart way for Production Managers to raise production values without breaking the budget and it's a logical move for productions that have been shooting on cameras like Canon's C300.

DOP's may opt to stay with PL primes or Canon's 17-120mm servo zoom (above)

Above: A Shoot HD Amira EF camera kit prepped & ready to ship to set

What's in the box:

Box contents: Arri Amira Camera body, handle, viewfinder with cable (HDMI  mini), V-lock battery adapter, EF lens mount, wedge plate adapter for 15mm  with shoulder pad, 8GB memory stick, microphone mount with White Noise bracket, Viewfinder cable spare (HDMI  mini), 24V 3-pin XLR Amira battery  cable, 15mm bars, Allen key 3,0x75 (red handle), 3 x C-fast 2.0 card 120GB, C-fast 2.0 card reader (USB3) with USB cable, bridge plate adapter for 15mm  with shoulder pad, Bridge plate for 19mm, Dovetail plate, 19mm bar (440mm), Moose bars, microphone (foam gag, deadcat, mount, cable, case), rain cover, base plate, 6 x IDX batteries, charger, flight case.

01753 651440 is the Magic Number

Production Managers are only ever one phone call away from good advice and great prices. A call to Shoot HD will put you in touch with experienced technicians, DOP’s and Sound Recordists - here to make sure you get the kit you need at the price you can afford - and don't forget to ask about free delivery!