XT2 vs. A7RII for Real Estate Photography

nickels25 said:

I'm looking into getting into real estate photography and I am back and forth between the A7RII and the Fuji XT2. I'm wondering which camera would be better for my needs. I'll be primarily shooting real estate/property and portraits for work and include some landscape for hobby photos when I'm out hiking.

I'm wondering if I need a full-frame A7RII or if I can save money and get the Fuji XT2, which looks fun to photograph with. I know one is full-frame and one is APS-C so there would be differences in depth of field and Dynamic Range, but are they huge differences? Any feedback from real-world users of these two camera systems would be greatly appreciated.

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I will be honest if you want to get into real estate photography the optimal thing here is a DSLR with a Tilt/Shift lens or something like the Nikon 14-24

The larger sensor will be optimal here and how at least every real estate shooter I see does it

If this is a hobby not paid for fun stuff get a ultra wide zoom lens like the 10-24 and spend time editing to fix the distortion if you even want to do that, but fix the lines in editing

The tilt shift lens can at least do this stuff in camera.

You should be asking this how to question or searching YouTube or Pro photographer sites or see if Creative Live has a course how it is done. Meaning the type of photography you want to do so you don't waste your money on the wrong gear

I agree. The availability of good wide angle lenses is better for the full-frames and the wide angle lenses are needed for shooting the interiors of houses.

The Samyang/Rokinon 12mm F2 x-mount on a Fuji is going to be equivalent to 18mm in full frame.

See https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59962741

Is it wide enough? Maybe not.

nickels25 said:

I'm looking into getting into real estate photography and I am back and forth between the A7RII and the Fuji XT2. I'm wondering which camera would be better for my needs. I'll be primarily shooting real estate/property and portraits for work and include some landscape for hobby photos when I'm out hiking.

I'm wondering if I need a full-frame A7RII or if I can save money and get the Fuji XT2, which looks fun to photograph with. I know one is full-frame and one is APS-C so there would be differences in depth of field and Dynamic Range, but are they huge differences? Any feedback from real-world users of these two camera systems would be greatly appreciated.

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XT2 is a great camera but its APSc. Sony A7r2 is full frame and now Sony has the highly acclaimed 12-24 F4 zoom which would be perfect for what you want.

Its more about field of view than dynamic range or other considerations. I imagine to get everything in a shot of a large or small room requires a very widefield of view. The A7r2 with that zoom will be wider than anything Fuji has.

Greg.

It's worth pointing out that often people feel cheated when the shots of the interior of a house are shot using a UWA focal length, making the house look more spacious than it actually is. IMO 10mm on a crop sensor is waaay into that territory, so, depending on your approach, you may find that you don't need anything wider than 10-24.

But yes, T/S lenses, if you intend to go there, will give you flexibility that the Fuji cannot achieve.

If you do go FF, I'd argue a A7RII is overkill for Real Estate from a resolution standpoint, but of course it would be great for landscape.

--
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Thank you everyone!

The A7RII dOes seem like it would work better spec-wise, but the X-T2 looks like a fun camera to have. Bring me back to my old film cameras.

I shoot real estate; and for me; the Nikon 14-24 (on a Nikon D 600) has made all the difference. That lens has been the single best investment for my needs. Not only it is tremendous for interiors, but I like to shoot with available light; and I can easily do that with this set up. I also have a Fuji XT2 - which I love- and the 10-24 lens, amongst others, but only for travel / landscapes. Not a fast enough lens for me when it comes to real estate interiors.

Pretty much what i said.

I don't shoot residential real estate, but I know a couple people who do, and I've met a few more.

They all shoot Nikon FX with the 14-24 almost exclusively.

None of them bother with tilt/shift except for special jobs. Remember, you're shooting images that will be viewed for a few seconds on somebody's phone. How the rooms are staged and lit is far more important than ultimate image quality.

The trick is knowing how to work the clients, knowing how to use google maps to figure out the best time to shoot the house, and networking with realtors. The least of your worries is camera/lens.

I'd absolutely choose full frame for the wide angle ability. It's key in real estate photography.

Both cameras are massive overkill for the average needs of RE shooting. You don't need all that resolution.

Use will be internet, or small images on printed materials. Perhaps video tour. You need high MP count like you need a hole in the head.

Low end Canon body from Costco, 24mm TS lens, purchased used. Lots of cheapo strobes and radio triggers.

Rand

nickels25 said:

I'm looking into getting into real estate photography and I am back and forth between the A7RII and the Fuji XT2. I'm wondering which camera would be better for my needs. I'll be primarily shooting real estate/property and portraits for work and include some landscape for hobby photos when I'm out hiking.

I'm wondering if I need a full-frame A7RII or if I can save money and get the Fuji XT2, which looks fun to photograph with. I know one is full-frame and one is APS-C so there would be differences in depth of field and Dynamic Range, but are they huge differences? Any feedback from real-world users of these two camera systems would be greatly appreciated.

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Ehhhhhh, neither camera. Your decision should boil down to the available best lenses for real estate photography. For me, it's the Nikon 14-24 with whatever dslr model that has tilt screen.

Neither, see responses above. DX DSLR + Tokina 11-16mm or FX DSLR + 14-24mm, and no you do not need a tilt/shift lens. I think the tilt/articulated screen is a personal preference and not a must have.

tdwesbo said:

I don't shoot residential real estate, but I know a couple people who do, and I've met a few more.

They all shoot Nikon FX with the 14-24 almost exclusively.

None of them bother with tilt/shift except for special jobs. Remember, you're shooting images that will be viewed for a few seconds on somebody's phone. How the rooms are staged and lit is far more important than ultimate image quality.

The trick is knowing how to work the clients, knowing how to use google maps to figure out the best time to shoot the house, and networking with realtors. The least of your worries is camera/lens.

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Some excellent points there!

I have similar associates. They didn't upgrade their camera systems till the output needs changed along with the expectations of the clients buying top end apartments.

I'd start with the output first and then look at the end user's expectations. I have seen estate agents using P&S for their own use. What does that tell you?

it's obviously need vs want with them.

I would agree that some real estate agents still take a few snaps with their P&S for the MLS.

I think it's important to understand the market segment you're trying to shoot for. Here in Calif, the range is wide. At the lower end like small apartments and starter homes, agents may not be willing to spend money on photos. Going up market a little, they probably don't want to spend too much money but will hire a "cheap" photographer, any quality will do so any gear is fine.

$1M homes and up, and they would be low mid-range here, I believe it's always a decent job with a decent photographer with better gear.

Both camera bodies will work for almost any real estate need; but mind you I said almost. I shoot professionally in Hawaii with the XT2 and the 10-24 f4 zoom. Here in the islands many interiors can be very cramped and small especially condos and vacation rentals which need updated images anytme an interior is changed. With the proper amount of portable lighting and sound technique, this Fujifilm combination can produce beautiful imagery and I’ve never had a client complain that the shots were not made on a FF sensor. Most of the time your client will be requesting 1000x600 files for MLS and another high res set for Zillow or their personal websites. I can tell you it can be disheartening shooting everything with strobes so you don’t have to have that HDR look and you go to the trouble to exposure blend and digitallty cleanup every aspect of your subject only to have it thrown up on the MLS site, but such is the nature of the game. The resolution, colors, and dynamic range of the XT2 and the XF mount wide angles works perfectly for me about 3 to 4 times a week, and many of these properties I’m working on list more many millions of dollars. I’ve considered using the GFX for the extra dynamic range but that again is overkill for 99% of most assignments and I generally save that system for the beauty of our islands. My advice is go with the Fuj, invest in lightng and a DJI Phantom 4 Pro and a decent gimbal and you’ll make good money if you put in the effort and pay your dues. If you have all the money in the world to burn through, I’d be tempted to go with the Nikon D850, 14-24, 19mm PC, and lights, and I’d still get the drone. Good Luck and don’t forget to have fun in whatever you do.

This is not a type of photography in which full frame will give you much of an advantage. You won't be printing large enough for the extra pixels and resolution available to count. Second, you will be stopped down to ensure adequate depth of field, so the smaller sensor will not be at a disadvantage.

Either the 12mm Samyang/Rokinon lens or the 10-24 will do you good service. Settings wider than 12mm need to be selected with care, as you end up giving quite a misleading impression of the size of the room and suppress the main areas of interest.

Tilt shift lenses aren't likely to be useful in the real world, as you won't have time to set them up, or to compile stitched photographs in post processing. You just need to steer clear of lenses with complex distortion characteristics that are difficult to correct in post processing (like the Samyang 14mm for full frame).

The main thing you need to worry about is lighting. Honestly, spend your money on flash guns, not on lenses or camera bodies. The Godox range is great for Fuji cameras.

I shoot architecture/real estate and use an X-T2 and 10-24 for most of my work. I had used the 14MM previously, but the 10-24 is my work horse. The 14MM is a great lens but found myself in situations where I could not zoom out and ran out of space...the 10-24 remedied that issue for me. You do not need a full frame camera to shoot real estate. It is essential to have a good lens with little to no distortion, a solid tripod with a geared head, and a few lights. I used to shoot with a Canon 5D and my clients don't know the difference.