Beginner Guide

The rental process at Zhanru is straightforward and designed for international productions. First, send us your equipment list with shooting dates and city via WhatsApp, email, or our contact form. We'll respond within 2 hours with a detailed quote including daily rates, delivery/pickup logistics, and any crew support options. Once you confirm, we prepare your gear package with full inspection and testing. On the rental day, we deliver directly to your set or hotel — no need to visit our warehouse. After wrap, we arrange convenient pickup. Payment is flexible: wire transfer, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. For qualified production companies, we offer credit-based deposit-free rental, eliminating the need for large cash deposits. The entire process can be completed in as little as 24 hours for urgent bookings.

Zhanru maintains one of the most comprehensive equipment inventories in China, covering every aspect of film and video production. Our camera department includes top cinema cameras like ARRI ALEXA Mini LF, ARRI ALEXA 35, Sony VENICE 2, RED V-RAPTOR, Sony FX6, and Canon C70. For lenses, we carry ARRI Signature Primes, Cooke S7/i, Zeiss Supreme Primes, and a wide selection of vintage and anamorphic glass. Our lighting department features ARRI SkyPanel, Litepanels Gemini, Aputure LS 600d Pro, and a full range of HMI and tungsten fixtures. We also stock professional sound recording equipment (Sound Devices, Sennheiser, Lectrosonics), monitors (SmallHD, TVLogic), stabilizers (DJI Ronin 4D, ARRI Trinity), drones (DJI Inspire 3, Matrice 350), wireless video transmitters (Teradek Bolt), and grip equipment including dollies, jibs, and track systems. All equipment is maintained to broadcast standards with regular calibration and firmware updates.

Equipment rental pricing in China is generally 30-50% lower than comparable markets in the US, Europe, or Japan, making it an excellent value for international productions. Daily rates vary by equipment type: cinema cameras like the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF typically range from ¥2,500-4,500/day, Sony FX6 from ¥800-1,200/day, professional lens sets from ¥500-2,000/day, and lighting kits from ¥300-1,500/day depending on the fixture. We offer significant discounts for multi-day and weekly rentals — typically 15% off for 3+ days and 25% off for weekly bookings. Package deals combining camera, lenses, and accessories offer additional savings of 10-20%. All prices are in Chinese Yuan (CNY). We provide transparent, itemized quotes with no hidden fees. Long-term production support packages with dedicated technicians are also available at preferential rates.

Zhanru offers a unique credit-based deposit-free rental system for qualified production companies. If you represent an established production house, broadcaster, or agency with a verifiable track record, you can rent equipment without any cash deposit — we simply verify your company credentials and production insurance. For first-time individual renters or smaller projects, we require a refundable deposit of typically 20-30% of the total equipment value, which can be paid via wire transfer or Alipay. Regarding insurance: while we recommend all productions carry their own equipment insurance (especially for high-value cinema cameras), we provide basic equipment coverage as part of our rental agreement. Normal wear and tear is covered at no additional cost. For productions requiring comprehensive coverage including third-party liability, we can arrange additional insurance through our partner brokers at competitive rates. We also offer optional damage waiver packages starting at ¥200/day for added peace of mind.

Zhanru operates permanent equipment depots in five major production hubs across China, with the ability to serve productions nationwide. Our primary locations are: Beijing — our headquarters and largest depot, conveniently located near major studios including China Film Studio, Huairou Film Base, and the Beijing CBD area. Shanghai — serving the commercial and advertising production market, with easy access to studios in Songjiang, Chongming, and the Lujiazui financial district. Xi'an — supporting the growing Western China production market, particularly historical and period drama productions. Changchun — our Northeast China hub, serving productions in Jilin province and surrounding areas. Hengdian (Dongyang, Zhejiang) — located within Hengdian World Studios, the world's largest outdoor filming location, providing on-site equipment support for period drama and film productions. We also provide cross-city logistics: equipment ordered in Beijing can be shipped to any Chinese city within 24-48 hours via our express logistics network.

Yes, bilingual crew support is one of our core strengths. Zhanru provides experienced, English-speaking technical crew members who bridge the language and cultural gap for international productions shooting in China. Our crew services include: DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) with English/Chinese fluency, experienced camera assistants familiar with both Western and Chinese production workflows, bilingual production coordinators who handle local logistics, permits, and vendor communication, lighting technicians, sound recordists, and drone operators — all with international production experience. Our team members have worked on major international co-productions, commercial campaigns for global brands, and documentary projects for networks like BBC, Netflix, and Discovery. We ensure clear communication between your foreign crew and local team, handle all Chinese-language paperwork and coordination, and provide cultural guidance to keep your production running smoothly.