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About the Equipment
Is the equipment in good shape?
  The equipment will be fresh and clean and all equipment is visually inspected and then tested before it is shipped. There may be some cosmetic marks on the barrels and hoods, but these will be purely cosmetic and will not affect image quality. All of the items in the order will each come with a checklist that list the condition that they are sent out in. If you notice something that is of concern and is not listed, please call us at 248-974-4108 to report a discrepancy.
Lens Selector
 

Not sure which lens you need? Here are some suggestions...



portrait Portraits: When shooting individuals in a studio, primes (fixed focal length lenses), such as 50mm , 85mm, 105mm, are often used, but if you have more space to work with, the 135mm and 200mm lenses give outstanding results. A mid-range 24-70mm zoom is great when working with groups because you can easily frame the photo depending on the size of the group. When shooting individuals outdoors, a longer zoom with a wide aperture is great, such as a 70-200mm f/2.8. If you're shooting head shots, a 200mm prime is great.

vacation Vacations: Most people rent a wide angle zoom because they are so versatile. They can be used for almost anything including landscape, architecture, wildlife, groups, etc. Both Nikon and Canon offer great lightweight 18-200mm super-zooms with image stabilization, but these only work with DX camera bodies. A great full frame, mid-range choice for Canon would be a 24-105 f/4, and for Nikon the 24-120mm f/4. If you need even more range, try a telephoto zoom, or a super telephoto zoom like the Canon 100-400mm, Nikon 80-400mm, or the newer Sigma 150-600mm lenses, which work on both FX and DX bodies.
outdoor sports Sports - Outdoors: To photograph sports, you'll get the best results with a lens that focuses fast, has a wide aperture, and some range. Both Canon and Nikon make 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses that are great for smaller venues such as high-school stadiums. The wide aperture lets you use a fast shutter speed to stop the action, plus the background blur will isolate the subject. On bright days, the Canon 100-400mm II IS and the Nikon 80-400mm are good choices. Image stabilization is highly recommended. Professional choices are the Canon 200mm f/2 and the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary or Sport. Just be sure to rent a tripod with the latter two, they are heavy.
indoor sports Sports - Indoors: Most gyms present a very challenging situation; the subject is moving fast and the light is fairly dim. You will get the best results using wide aperture prime lenses because they let in a lot more light than zooms. Plan on setting the ISO to 1000 or higher, aperture at f/1.8 or f/2.0, and using two lenses. Depending on the size of the facility and how close you can get to the action, arrive armed with 2 of the following prime lenses: 35mm, 50mm, or a 85mm. The Canon 135mm has been regarded as Canons best 'L series" lens, its sharp and fast, and offers an f/2 aperture. Nikon also makes a 135 f/2. The 200mm f/2 is a on the heavier side, and you'll want to use a tripod with it, but some consider it the ultimate indoor sport lens! The newer camera bodies offer impressive photos at higher ISO settings. The 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses will work well with these.

performance Stage Performance: You definitely want a zoom so you can frame the shots. You usually can't move about while the performance is going on so you need the lens to do the work. There is usually enough light on stage to use an f/2.8 zoom as long as you have the ISO set to a fairly high setting. Image stabilization is very useful because the shutter speeds may be a bit on the slow side. Once again, a 70-200mm lens and the 200mm f/2 are at the top of the list.


market Capturing the Moment: Whether your at a celebration, an outdoor market, or any place with a lot of activity or atmosphere, take some shots with a wide angle prime, or a wide angle zoom. These lenses excel in producing photographs that capture the context of the event because you can see so much activity in the image. Try the Canon 10-22mm (DX), the Nikon 16-80 (DX), or the Nikon 14-24mm. Both Nikon and Canon make excellent 17-55mm lenses.The Sigma 24mm, 35mm and 50mm are also all good choices to take along. The 24mm will give you a broader looking image, while the 50mm will be more neutral.

wedding Available Light: There are a few prime lenses with huge apertures that are great for shooting with no flash. These images capture the scene just like you see it because no flashes are used that change the light. Give this a try with the 50mm f1.2 and the 85mm f/1.2. These lenses are also useful in very large rooms where the flash won't reach the subject. Just be careful of the very narrow depth of field when the aperture is wide open. Other lenses with a big aperture include the Nikon 105mm f/1.4, and the line of Sigma Art Prime Lenses.

landscape Landscapes: Wide angle lenses that are sharp corner to corner and have great contrast produce stunning landscape photos. If you have a cropped-frame camera (DX), try the Canon 10-22mm or the Nikon 10-24mm. Full-frame users will get great results with the Canon 16-35mm EF f/2.8L III or the Nikon 16-35mm AF-S f/4. Great landscape primes are the 14mm, 24mm, and 35mm lenses. People are usually looking for "as wide as possible" for landsacpe photos. This setup is often a winner: choose a great background, include something interesting in the foreground, and hold the camera low to the ground.

Have a specific question about a lens? Any of the staff at LensGiant is more than happy to help! Give us a call at 248 974 4108.
What accessories are supplied?
  The equipment is shipped with the accessories that were supplied with the item when purchased and will be listed on the checklist that comes in the packet of paperwork.

All lenses will have front and rear caps, and if the manufacturer supplied a hood, we will include that too. (Sorry, we don't include manuals with the lenses).
Cameras will come in a camera bag and include the front cap, one battery and one charger.
If you would like a paper manual, please request one, as most user manuals can be accessed online as a PDF.

Please, please, please... check your equipment against the checklist when you open it up and before you send it back. You will be responsible for postage if you need to send an item back or you need us to send something back to you.

If you think something is missing please send an email to [email protected] within 3 hours or receipt of your order.
What do you consider damage?
  Any scratch to any lens element, any physical damage due to impact or improper usage such as damaged mounts, filter threads, dented barrels, zoom and focus rings that don’t rotate properly, electrical problems such as failure to autofocus or inability to zoom, internal moisture, excessive internal dust, and large scratches to lens barrels.  Minor scuffmarks to the barrel or hood are considered normal use, not damage.  We use the report from the Nikon and Canon repair centers as arbitration. If they say the damage is due to moisture or impact, then the customer is responsible.
What does the damage waiver cover?
 

Unintentional damage to the item is covered under this optional damage waiver. There is a deductable of 10% of the replacement cost of the item. For example, if the replacement cost for the item is $1000, the customer is responsible for the first $100 of repair cost, and LensGiant will cover the rest. We do not keep current replacement costs on the web site. However, we use the retail prices from BHPhoto.com and Adorama.com as replacement costs, since they usually have the lowest prices of any retailer. View these web sites to for current replacement costs.

Note: The damage waiver does not cover loss or theft. The equipment must be returned if it is damaged. Your renter's, homeowner's , credit card, or photographer's insurance policies might cover theft. Please check your policies.
What if I ordered the wrong lens?
 
Making the mistake of ordering equipment that is not compatible with your camera can happen to anyone, so we try to be fair. Please check the compatibility of the equipment by consulting your owner’s manuals and the manufacturers’ web sites before you place orders. Sorry but we can not be responsible for checking each order for compatibility of each item since people order items for second shooters or different camera bodies.

In the case that something you order is not compatible and you need a replacement, we will need to place another order for the item to have it shipped to you. You will be responsible for the shipping and rental fees associated with the replacement order.
If the problem is that you don’t think the lens is suitable for your application, then we will still work with you to get something better, but we need to stick with our 3 day minimum charge for rentals. We will credit your account for rental fees paid beyond the 3 day minimum if you decide to return it early. We don't refund shipping charges.

A big advantage of renting is to allow you to try lenses without committing to the full purchase price. Sometimes, the value in renting a lens is discovering it's not a good choice for your application.
What if I think something is wrong?
 
Please call us right away at 248 974 4108. We are available 9am-5pm EST and 11am-2pm Saturdays. If you call after our staffed business hours, please leave us a detailed message and email us at [email protected]
and we will get back to you as soon as we are in next.
Sometimes, the problem is because the user may not be familiar with an unusual aspect of a lens, or there may be a setting on your camera that you aren't familiar with. We are happy to troubleshoot with you until all is working smoothly!
What if it gets damaged, lost, or stolen?
 
If damage occurs, the customer is responsible for the repair or replacement cost. In an effort to settle the matter with the customer in a timely manner, we prefer to charge the customer the estimated cost we receive from the repair shop. Working from the repair estimate can benefit the customer because sometimes there is internal damage that is missed in the estimate. We do not charge rental fees while the lens is being repaired as long as we are notified about damage before the equipment is returned.
The customer is responsible for the total replacement cost of the equipment if it is lost or stolen, which needs to be reimbursed to LensGiant within one week of reported loss.