real estate camera suggestions

Hi,

I am in the process of purchasing a digital camera to use in my real estate business but have no idea which brand or model to purchase. All I know from what I have read online is that to achieve the best pictures I would need a camera with a wide lens. Which camera(s) would be best suited for photographing homes.

Thanks

I think Sony R1 would be perfect. 24-120 Zeiss Zoom, APS-C sensor for noise-free high ISO interior shot.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=20485166

I recommend you check out the various entry- and mid-level digital SLRs... personally, I think the Pentax K100D with kit lens would offer you the best image quality for the buck.

The K100D offers "anti-shake" technology so you can more easily shoot interiors without resorting to using flash. I've seen astounding results from pros using multiple flash guns, etc... but they were pros after all... and the process was not exactly quick.

The K100D's kit lens is not stellar but it's a pretty good performer and offers as wide a view as most kits. If you want something even wider, there are other lenses to pick from...

If you have upscale properties that you want to showcase with full page magazine ads, for eg, I recommend that you call in a pro. Yeah, it costs money... but everyone will be impressed, especially your seller!

If you just want web-sized images for an MLS system, a smaller pocket camera might be perfectly fine... it won't be quite as wide but a good eye for composition can often make do.

Partsman41953 said:

I am in the process of purchasing a digital camera to use in my
real estate business but have no idea which brand or model to
purchase. All I know from what I have read online is that to
achieve the best pictures I would need a camera with a wide lens.
Which camera(s) would be best suited for photographing homes.

Thanks

Click to expand...

--
pog



http://gallery.gopog.net/

Partsman41953 said:

I am in the process of purchasing a digital camera to use in my
real estate business but have no idea which brand or model to
purchase. All I know from what I have read online is that to
achieve the best pictures I would need a camera with a wide lens.
Which camera(s) would be best suited for photographing homes.

Click to expand...

Assuming you will be using it for flyers and web posts, you certainly do not need an SLR or any other huge camera. What you do need is a camera you can carry with you everywhere you go, and with a relatively wide end to slightly exaggerate the spaciousness of the property and get as much of it in the frame as possible. I would suggest something like Canon PowerShot SD800 IS. It is pocketable, shoots good quality pictures, has a 28 mm zoom on the wide side, and even has a built-in image stabilization. Here is a link to it:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Image-Stabilized-Optical/dp/B000HAOVGM

Good luck with your business. I’ve been out of RE for almost 20 years (moved to high-tech), but I remember those days fondly.

If you are mainly interested in real estate shots and don't need extreme telephoto, I agree with the Sony R1. It will give you fairly wide angle and wonderful pictures in low light situations.

For interior shots you need a really wide lens and a good tripod with a level to make sure the camera is dead level.

I would get a used Nikon D50 with a 12/24 zoom lens.
--
Pete Biro

Pete Biro said:

For interior shots you need a really wide lens and a good tripod
with a level to make sure the camera is dead level.
I would get a used Nikon D50 with a 12/24 zoom lens.

Click to expand...

With 28 mm equiv. on a compact you can comfortably shoot simple interiors. If you want circular panos, you can easily stitch them. Remember, these photographs are not for photographer peer review, they are to inform and attract someone to come over to take a look in person. You do not make a sale over the net, you wet their appetite.

Of course there is nothing wrong with the camera you propose - I like the set. I just think it's too much for this task. Portability becomes a problem.

First lets start off with this question. Do you want something that is pocketable or is something bulky ok for you.

If you don't mind the size then pretty much ANY dSLR will do the job and more. All you need to do is just get a nice wide angle lens to go with it.

But if you want something that is pocketable, then a dSLR would be out of the question because you can just leave that in your car. I mean you can, but its not really a good idea unless if you have a really big compartment to keep it in.

If you want something small, the Panasonic FX01/FX07 is a great camera to start with. It has a 28mm lens with anti-shake. Very small and has a nice grip to it. I bought the FX01 for my girlfriend and she loves it. She is not into real estate but she takes a lot of pictures indoor and the wide angle helps.