Loanable equipment
Cameras, tripods, microphones, hard drives, DSLRs, and other media equipment are available for checkout for UMN students, staff and faculty.
About equipment loans
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
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/img-9395.png?itok=1Zj54WxJ)
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](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2022-09/zoomq8n4k.jpg?itok=vDEot1kJ)
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](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2022-09/rodeuniversalvloggingkit.jpg?itok=5Eg8ngsD)
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 lavalier microphone system](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2022-09/rodewirelessgo2.jpg?itok=qbzot37-)
Rode Wireless Go II
Video
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/kodak-playsport-2.jpg?h=b618aa8c&itok=zSWyI-8o)
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
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/img-9386.png?h=a355c866&itok=qjij0JSY)
Canon Rebel DSLR camera
- Ideal for photography
- 18-55mm EFS lens
- High resolution (18-21MP)
- Canon DSLR Equipment Tutorial
Audio
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/snowball.png?h=e80f68ca&itok=lcivyVkG)
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
- Blue Snowball Mic Equipment Tutorial
Audio
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/yeti.jpg?h=2d7a5ab3&itok=5ixWImTz)
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
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/zoom-zh2n-h2n-handy-recorder-portable-1310634244-811053.jpg?h=919cdd33&itok=zX_lAYoL)
Zoom H2n digital audio recorder
- Portable field recorder
- No laptop needed
- Great for voiceovers, interviews, small group recordings
Audio
![small microphone laying on a square stand with a large open circle in the middle](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/1231944789-img-3961.jpg?h=5b33d239&itok=Jm8SgiQt)
Blue Snowflake microphone
- USB-based microphone (laptop needed for recording)
- Use Audacity software with this microphone to record
- Great for voiceovers
- Mono recording
Equipment
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/manfrotto-mvk502055xpro3-502hd-pro-video-head-1462188063-1247856.jpg?h=fcf3cece&itok=XlgBQENh)
Tripod
- Full height
- Works with most cameras
- Some models come with panning arm
- Tripod Equipment Tutorial
Equipment
![](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2021-11/lacie-301558-rugged-mini-portable-hard-1555580843-813173.jpg?h=6d72fa5a&itok=Yl27qkOL)
External hard drive
- Large capacity for video projects
- Essential equipment if you plan to edit using library computers
Equipment
![Meta Quest 2 headset.](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_23_10_desaturated/public/2022-12/vrheadset-104658495-oculus-quest-2.jpg?itok=ZrOSt0-2)
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
![Picture of Charlie Heinz.](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_square_desaturated/public/2021-11/charlie-profile-pic-cropped-2021.jpeg?itok=RXFZ0oAw)
Charlie Heinz
Academic Technologist and VR Program Lead
![Scott Spicer](/sites/www.lib.umn.edu/files/styles/350w_square_desaturated/public/2021-11/39aede26-e5b8-4b23-a1a2-437154d7887f-1-105-c.jpeg?itok=cM0ZkjAo)
Scott Spicer
Media Outreach Librarian