Loanable equipment
Cameras, tripods, microphones, hard drives, DSLRs, and other media equipment are available for checkout for UMN students, staff and faculty.
Available equipment
Video and Photo
Nikon Z30 Mirrorless Camera
- Ideal for video and photography
- Records up to 2 hours of video (4K resolution)
- Great for digital stories, interviews
- 16-50mm Lens
- Check out a tripod with this camera.
- Getting started with the Nikon Z30 camera tutorial.
- More advanced Nikon Z30 camera user tutorial.
Video
Rode Universal Vlogging Kit
- Convert your phone into a vlogging camera
- External microphone
- Tripod to stabilize your video
- LED light with color diffusers
- Great for digital stories, interviews
- Vlog Equipment use Tutorial
Audio
Rode Wireless Go II
Video
360 Cameras
- 360 video camera
- 64GB micro SD card (about 60 minutes of recording)
- Monopod is included (Bushman V2)
- Great for storytelling in 3D
- Insta360 One X2 Quick Start Guide
- Insta360 One X3 Quick Start Guide
- Note: Equipment consultation with VR Program Head, Charlie Heinz is recommended for Insta360 camera use.
Photo
Canon Rebel DSLR camera
- Ideal for photography
- 18-55mm EFS lens
- High resolution (18-21MP)
- Canon DSLR Equipment Tutorial
Audio
Blue Yeti microphone
- USB-based microphone (laptop needed for recording)
- Use Audacity software with this microphone to record
- Great for voiceovers, interviews, small group recordings
- Blue Yeti Mic Equipment Tutorial
Audio
Zoom H2n digital audio recorder
- Portable field recorder
- No laptop needed
- Great for voiceovers, interviews, small group recordings
- Zoom H2n Digital Audio Recorder Equipment Tutorial
Equipment
Tripod
- Full height
- Works with most cameras
- Some models come with panning arm
- Tripod Equipment Tutorial
Equipment
External hard drive
- Large capacity for video projects
- Essential equipment if you plan to edit using library computers
Equipment
Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset
- No computer or cable connection required.
- Facebook, Meta or Instagram account required. Setup instructions are included in the kit.
- One week loan.
- Interested in virtual reality? Check out the VR Studio and the Toaster Innovation Hub!
Equipment policies
Equipment replacement costs
| Equipment | Replacement cost |
|---|---|
| Nikon Z30 Complete Camera Kit | $924 |
| Canon Rebel T8i Complete Camera Kit | $1,068 |
| Insta360 X2 kit | $518 |
| Insta360 X3 kit | $600 |
| Vlog kit | $174 |
| Tripod kit MVH500A (large pan top plate) | $491 |
| Tripod kit 496CR2, 056 or similar (small top plate or no top plate) | $340 |
| Rode wireless kit | $491 |
| Zoom H2n digital audio recorder kit | $352 |
| Yeti microphone kit | $214 |
| External hard drive kit | $110 |
| Quest 3S | $310 |
Late, lost, or damaged equipment is subject to fines up to the full value of equipment replacement.
Equipment loan policy
- Priority is given to students who are using the equipment for coursework. No reservation is needed; equipment is available on a first-come first-served basis.
- Equipment is due back the following day at the location of pickup by closing*. External hard drives can be borrowed for one week. One camera or microphone per person or event unless the demand is low.
- Equipment extensions are available at the discretion of the circulation desk staff. A typical loan extension is the addition of a day (3 days), with a max of 7 days. Due to equipment availability limitations, unfortunately, no exceptions beyond 7 days will be granted (this includes back to back renewals).
- A central value of Media Services is to provide equal access to media creation resources for our campus members and community partners. Please ensure you return your equipment on the due date at the location(s) from which they were checked out.