• Tools, Inspiration, and Guidance for Your Creative Journey.

Why Try Before You Buy?

Photography isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your gear shouldn’t be, either. This process ensures that what you bring home isn’t just a purchase but an investment in years of creative joy and personal expression.

This is about more than just gear—it’s about making the right choice for you. Ready to start your Try Before You Buy experience? Let’s make it happen.

1. Try Before You Buy

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to make absolutely sure before committing to new gear.

  • Select from our curated lineup of popular brand-new cameras and lenses.
  • Pay just 10% of the retail price to take it home for 5 days.
  • If you love it, pay the balance, and it’s officially yours!
  • Not the right fit? No worries. You only invested 10%, saving you the hassle and cost of an unsatisfactory buy.

Why it’s unique: This isn’t a rental. It’s a chance to use your potential new gear in real-life scenarios, knowing it’s fresh out of the box and untouched by anyone else.

2. Rent Before You Buy

Perfect for: Those who want to explore something we don’t currently offer in the Try Before You Buy lineup.

  • Rent the gear from our rental department for as long as you need.
  • Fall in love? Apply 50% of your rental fee toward purchasing that gear brand-new.

Why it’s worth it: You’re not just renting—you’re making an informed decision while getting hands-on experience with your future creative companion.

3. The Ultimate Try Before You Buy

Perfect for: Photographers who want to test the gear in real-world conditions and learn how to make the most of it with personalized guidance.

  • Combine a Try Before You Buy item or rental with a Private Lesson.
  • Work with a pro in the environment you’ll actually use the gear—whether it’s a landscape, a studio, or your own backyard.
  • Learn how to create the images you’ve been dreaming of while deciding if the gear is truly right for you.

Why it’s unbeatable: There’s no guesswork. You’re not just trying the gear; you’re discovering how it will work for you with hands-on guidance from an expert.

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Telephone: + 1 510-548-6888

Address: 2239 Fifth Street, Berkeley CA, 94710

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm PT

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Try Now for 5 Days
Pay Only 10% Today
Your selected item has been added to the Cart and reflects the full price of the item. The "amount due" will update to 10% of the item's full price when you reach Checkout. Upon completion of checkout, you will only be charged the "Try Now" fee of 10% of the retail price. The remaining balance will be set as a temporary authorization hold on your card and will only be applied to the order if you decide to keep the item.
Try Now Period
Your "Try Now" period of 5 days starts when you have taken delivery of the item, usually within 1-2 weeks of placing your "Try Now" order.
Love it and Keep it; Still not sure, Return it.
Pay for what you keep
If you love your "Try Now" item, simply keep it and we'll charge the remaining balance for the item that we had on temporary hold. Don't love it? Simply return it. (Note: By placing a Try Before You Buy order with Looking Glass, you are responsible for returning any unwanted items. For store drop-offs, the item must be returned no later than one day after your 5-day "Try" ends. If you're shipping the item back, it must be sent with tracking information sent to us no later than one day after your 5-day "Try" ends and are responsible for the Return Shipping fee.
*During an authorization the money is still in your account
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