Loanable equipment
Cameras, tripods, microphones, hard drives, DSLRs, and other media equipment are available for checkout for UMN students, staff and faculty. 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. Most items are due the following day by closing, though we may be willing to extend the loan during non-peak days. External hard drives can be borrowed for one week. One camera or microphone per person or event unless the demand is low.
Note: we are experiencing high demand, so in most cases we will not be allowing longer loans or multiple cameras until Winter Break.
Available equipment
Video
Canon Vixia HD camcorder
- HD video camcorder (1920x1080 video resolution)
- Image stabilization
- Great for digital stories, interviews
- Check out a tripod with this camera.
Video
Zoom Q8n-4K camcorder
New in 2022!
- HD video camcorder (4K video resolution)
- Image stabilization
- Great for digital stories, interviews
- Check out a tripod with this camera.
Video
Rode Universal Vlogging Kit
New in 2022!
- Convert your phone into a vlogging camera
- External microphone
- Tripod to stabilize your video
- LED light with color diffusers
- Great for digital stories, interviews
Audio
Rode Wireless Go II
New in 2022!
- Wireless lavalier microphone system
- Plugs into any device that accepts 3.5mm stereo input (including the Canon Vixia, Canon Rebel, and Zoom Q8n-4K cameras)
- Two transmitters and two lavalier microphones allows two people to be captured in the recording
- Use lavalier microphones when your recording environment will be noisy
Video
Kodak Play Sport
- Digital zoom
- Multiple recording modes
Video
Insta360 One X2
- 360 video camera
- 64GB micro SD card (about 60 minutes of recording)
- Monopod is included (Bushman V2)
- Great for storytelling in 3D
Photo
Canon Rebel DSLR camera
- Ideal for photography
- 18-55mm EFS lens
- High resolution (18-21MP)
Audio
Blue Snowball microphone
- USB-based microphone (laptop needed for recording)
- Use Audacity software with this microphone to record
- Great for voiceovers, interviews, small group recordings
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
Audio
Zoom H2n digital audio recorder
- Portable field recorder
- No laptop needed
- Great for voiceovers, interviews, small group recordings
Audio
Blue Snowflake microphone
- USB-based microphone (laptop needed for recording)
- Use Audacity software with this microphone to record
- Great for voiceovers
- Mono recording
Equipment
Tripod
- Full height
- Works with most cameras
- Some models come with panning arm
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!
Related staff
Charlie Heinz
Academic Technologist and VR Program Lead
Scott Spicer
Media Outreach Librarian