Canon launch new camera gear hire and sharing platform

Canon Australia has announced Kyōyū, a new platform for sharing and hiring camera gear that promises to help Canon gear owners get more value from their products.  

Japanese for ‘share’, Kyōyū lets members rent out gear and make money when it's not being used, or hire Canon equipment. The platform has a built-in ID verification process and Canon takes care of insurance protection for owners who are renting out gear. The platform is free for renters, but Canon charges a fee for providers.

“Kyōyū allows owners to get so much more value out of their purchase while for renters its perfect for that one-off creative project or to test and try new gear in the real world before diving in to make a purchase,” says Jason McLean, Director – Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. 

For renters, the process involves signing up on the Kyōyū website, locating a member nearby, sending a booking request, and finally arranging to collect the gear. Renters must provide identification before they are accepted on the platform, with verification done through a third party provider, Illion.

For providers, Kyōyū takes a 'standard' 30% fee, with the first transaction free, and, although users are free to set pricing at their own discretion, the platform will provide ballpark suggestions. 

A quick look at listings in Sydney show plenty of gear already for rent, including a 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens in Helensburgh for $45 a day, and an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Lens in Kirribilli for $40 a day. 

Insurance is arranged by Canon, and is underwritten by IAG Limited trading as ShareCover.

To find out more about Kyōyū, visit kyoyu.canon.com.au.