The best camera for architectural renderings

Hi! I'm an architect specialized in modeling and renderings. I have been using an old Olympus E-300 (which is returning to my brother), and *gasp*, cellphones to take the pictures that will be used in compositing.

The problem with cellphones, as you know, it's their lack of dynamic range and lousy results at low light. So I am in the process of buying a camera with a sensor size of at least 4/3.

I still have the FL-36 flash from Olympus, but that can be sold, I'm not tied to any system. I have been thinking about cameras like the Nikon D3300 + 18-105mm (450 euros second hand), Nikon D5200 + 18-105 f3.5-5.6 (same price), Canon 1200D + 18-135mm (490 euros). I looked at these because of the versatile range of the zoom, but I'm not really sure if the normal kit would be enough.

On the other hand I can buy a used Panasonic lumix DMC-GH2 with the kit lens - 14-42mm 3.5-5.6, for 300 euros, for example, or a Panasonic G6 with a 14-140mm lens for 550 euros.

I would like to have an TS lens, but unfortunately those are too expensive to consider. I'll have to make do with photoshop in order to correct the perspective.

Regardless of your equipment of choice, what do you think would be my best bet?

Thanks for your attention!

Not my field at all, but I wonder if you would be better off with a full-frame camera. Several reasons - they gather more light for an equivalent shot, so you get a significant image quality advantage in low light; lots of wide-angle wide-aperture lenses available for them, so good for interiors and better again in low light; plenty of reasonably priced used options; and when you can afford that TS lens you're all set to make the most of it. I'd be looking at something like a second-hand 6D or 5D II and a 24-105.

>architect specialized in modeling and renderings<

Please tell the rest of us what type of photos that requires, subjects, type of light, type of output.

seri_art wrote:

>architect specialized in modeling and renderings<

Please tell the rest of us what type of photos that requires, subjects, type of light, type of output.

The photos that I take are, almost exclusively, of city blocks surrounding the building sit. Regarding the type of light, I take the light that exists at a given time - sunny, cloudy, rainy... I would like to take photos at dusk, but with my current equipment (iphone 6), it is impossible.

Normally the renders have a resolution of 1920x1080, if they are supposed to be seen in a screen. Otherwise, the maximum print size that I use is the A4, therefore requiring a resolution of about 8MP at 300dpi. The camera, however, should have a resolution upwards of 8MP, because I tend to correct the perspective in photoshop (a requirement easily obtained these days )

lightwriter wrote:

seri_art wrote:

>architect specialized in modeling and renderings<

Please tell the rest of us what type of photos that requires, subjects, type of light, type of output.

The photos that I take are, almost exclusively, of city blocks surrounding the building sit. Regarding the type of light, I take the light that exists at a given time - sunny, cloudy, rainy... I would like to take photos at dusk, but with my current equipment (iphone 6), it is impossible.

Normally the renders have a resolution of 1920x1080, if they are supposed to be seen in a screen. Otherwise, the maximum print size that I use is the A4, therefore requiring a resolution of about 8MP at 300dpi. The camera, however, should have a resolution upwards of 8MP, because I tend to correct the perspective in photoshop (a requirement easily obtained these days )

Sounds like something I could pull off with my Canon 10-22 and 70D, a cheaper but still decent variant could be the 10-18 (which has IS) and anything from a 100D / SL1 up; or the M5 with an 11-22.

When I researched ultra wide angles, the 10-22 has the advantage of having less distortion, and being easier to correct. For the next step in quality and price, you're talking about a 16-35 f4 and a 6D.

Nikon D3300 or D5200 would be a fine choice.  You will be astonished by the quality of the kit lens (18-55mm).  You shouldn't need 18-135 or anything like that.

You might also find a lot of use for an ultra-wide lens (10-18mm or 11-22mm).  Canon APS-C cameras (e.g., SL1, T5i, 70D, 80D) are also good choices for your use, and Canon has a very nice, very inexpensive ($225-300) 10-18mm lens.  You can hardly go wrong with any of these.

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

Nikon D3300 or D5200 would be a fine choice. You will be astonished by the quality of the kit lens (18-55mm). You shouldn't need 18-135 or anything like that.

You might also find a lot of use for an ultra-wide lens (10-18mm or 11-22mm). Canon APS-C cameras (e.g., SL1, T5i, 70D, 80D) are also good choices for your use, and Canon has a very nice, very inexpensive ($225-300) 10-18mm lens. You can hardly go wrong with any of these.

I have the D5200 in consideration (mainly because of the swivel screen). Harder to choose is the lens, and consequently the system.

I have thought about tue 10-18 STM, but isn't it a bit restricting? I have thought about the Sigma 17-35 F2.8-4 EX DG HSM for Nikon (200 euros), the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6S IS USM (230 euros), the TAMRON SP 17-50 mm F/2.8 Di II VC for canon (290 euros), or even the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX - CANON (250 euros) or the Tokina AT-X 12-24 F4 PRO DX II(Nikon) (335 euros). These last two options have a wider zoom range than the 10-28mm (granted, the wide is not as wide).
Which would you choose?

lightwriter wrote:

I have the D5200 in consideration (mainly because of the swivel screen). Harder to choose is the lens, and consequently the system.

In that case the T5i is very good and quite modestly priced.  The 80D is truly excellent but more expensive.

I have thought about tue 10-18 STM, but isn't it a bit restricting?

How so?  It's an excellent lens, especially for the money.  And it's an IS lens so you can handhold it at amazingly slow shutter speeds.  For architecture I would take IS over a fast lens any day.  It's too wide for a general-purpose lens, but for architecture it's truly, amazingly wide.  With it you can photograph interiors.  For general purpose you can just use the kit lens, 18-55mm, either Canon or Nikon.  Nikon has a somewhat equivalent lens, but it's a lot more expensive.

lightwriter wrote:

I have thought about tue 10-18 STM, but isn't it a bit restricting?

Here are some samples. https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56759665

BAK wrote:

Saving those who don't know European paper sizes.

Are you trying to photograph entire city blocks in a single frame?

Are you trying to include the top of six storey buildings? And higher?

Or are you trying to shoot each building in a block, one at a time, and then fit them all together?

I photographed about 1000 building for a book, using 35mm film and a 35mm perspective control lens.

That worked fine, but the buildings were houses or, at biggest / highest, three or four storey public buildings like city halls and courthouses.

The current Nikon and Canon 18-55 kit lenses will work fine, one building at a time, on a wide street.

The 10 - 18 Canon would be a good second lens, for bigger buildings or narrower streets.

As for shooting conditions - sunny, cloudy, etc.

Pay attention to shadows. Often the best days to shoot are slightly overcast, with the sky turning into a giant softbox.

BAK

No, I normally photograph the place where the building is going to be built and the surrounding buildings (sometimes the whole block, but normally only two or three buildings to each side.

The tallest one that I had to composite, which is my last work, has even floors.

I was trying to avoid buying the kit lens and another, wider one... I rather have only one lens; are the lens that I listed earlier not good enough? (the TAMRON SP 17-50 mm F/2.8 Di II VC for canon, or the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX - CANON, for example)

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

lightwriter wrote:

I have the D5200 in consideration (mainly because of the swivel screen). Harder to choose is the lens, and consequently the system.

In that case the T5i is very good and quite modestly priced. The 80D is truly excellent but more expensive.

I have thought about tue 10-18 STM, but isn't it a bit restricting?

How so? It's an excellent lens, especially for the money. And it's an IS lens so you can handhold it at amazingly slow shutter speeds. For architecture I would take IS over a fast lens any day. It's too wide for a general-purpose lens, but for architecture it's truly, amazingly wide. With it you can photograph interiors. For general purpose you can just use the kit lens, 18-55mm, either Canon or Nikon. Nikon has a somewhat equivalent lens, but it's a lot more expensive.

That means you recommend using the kit lens and the 10-18 STM, is that right? I was trying to avoid using two lenses, but if that is the best path...

lightwriter wrote:

That means you recommend using the kit lens and the 10-18 STM, is that right? I was trying to avoid using two lenses, but if that is the best path...

It all depends on what you want to do. You listed a lot of lenses, and they will all take pictures, but I have no idea why you selected them. You need to decide how wide you want your field of view to be.

If I were photographing real estate, I would want the capability offered by an ultra-wide lens, but that is not a general-purpose lens, and it won't do telephotos. But it is an optional extra. You probably wouldn't find it very good for general use, and you would probably want to change lenses if you use it. If you're happy with a phone, then maybe you don't want it or need it.

The kit lens is a general purpose lens, and they almost give it to you. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to get that. It will do everything your phone will do, plus a lot more.

You listed some lenses with very wide focal length ranges, like 18-135 or something. I don't know why you would need anything longer than an 18-55 mm kit lens, but you have to decide that. Besides, lenses with very wide focal length ranges tend not to be as sharp as lenses with narrow ranges.

I have no idea why you chose all those lenses you listed. Some of them are a little faster (for use in darkness) than the kit lenses, but that's not likely to be a helpful feature, as you would have trouble getting everything in focus with the lens aperture wide open.

My advice in a nutshell:  You said you want a flip screen, and you seem to want something cheap. Get a Canon T5i (whatever they call that in Europe) or Nikon D5200 with a kit lens. If you think you want to also try an ultra-wide lens, get the Canon with the Canon 10-18 lens; the Nikon equivalent is much more expensive, although there are some mid-priced third-party ultra-wide lenses for Nikon.  I don't know anything about the other brands you mentioned.  These are both top-notch quality and less expensive than most.

If you really, really don't want to use an ultra wide lens and don't want to change lens, get a bridge camera.  I don't know anything about those.

lightwriter wrote:

BAK wrote:

Saving those who don't know European paper sizes.

Are you trying to photograph entire city blocks in a single frame?

Are you trying to include the top of six storey buildings? And higher?

Or are you trying to shoot each building in a block, one at a time, and then fit them all together?

I photographed about 1000 building for a book, using 35mm film and a 35mm perspective control lens.

That worked fine, but the buildings were houses or, at biggest / highest, three or four storey public buildings like city halls and courthouses.

The current Nikon and Canon 18-55 kit lenses will work fine, one building at a time, on a wide street.

The 10 - 18 Canon would be a good second lens, for bigger buildings or narrower streets.

As for shooting conditions - sunny, cloudy, etc.

Pay attention to shadows. Often the best days to shoot are slightly overcast, with the sky turning into a giant softbox.

BAK

No, I normally photograph the place where the building is going to be built and the surrounding buildings (sometimes the whole block, but normally only two or three buildings to each side.

The tallest one that I had to composite, which is my last work, has even floors.

I was trying to avoid buying the kit lens and another, wider one... I rather have only one lens; are the lens that I listed earlier not good enough? (the TAMRON SP 17-50 mm F/2.8 Di II VC for canon, or the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX - CANON, for example)

I suspect that 17mm or 18mm may not be wide enough for some of your purposes. Hence that's why people recommend also UWA lenses like the 10-18.

photonius wrote:

lightwriter wrote:

BAK wrote:

Saving those who don't know European paper sizes.

Are you trying to photograph entire city blocks in a single frame?

Are you trying to include the top of six storey buildings? And higher?

Or are you trying to shoot each building in a block, one at a time, and then fit them all together?

I photographed about 1000 building for a book, using 35mm film and a 35mm perspective control lens.

That worked fine, but the buildings were houses or, at biggest / highest, three or four storey public buildings like city halls and courthouses.

The current Nikon and Canon 18-55 kit lenses will work fine, one building at a time, on a wide street.

The 10 - 18 Canon would be a good second lens, for bigger buildings or narrower streets.

As for shooting conditions - sunny, cloudy, etc.

Pay attention to shadows. Often the best days to shoot are slightly overcast, with the sky turning into a giant softbox.

BAK

No, I normally photograph the place where the building is going to be built and the surrounding buildings (sometimes the whole block, but normally only two or three buildings to each side.

The tallest one that I had to composite, which is my last work, has even floors.

I was trying to avoid buying the kit lens and another, wider one... I rather have only one lens; are the lens that I listed earlier not good enough? (the TAMRON SP 17-50 mm F/2.8 Di II VC for canon, or the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX - CANON, for example)

I suspect that 17mm or 18mm may not be wide enough for some of your purposes. Hence that's why people recommend also UWA lenses like the 10-18.

Yes, I agree with you, probably 17 or 18mm are not enough. Maybe I'll have to choose a canon or a nikon kit and a UWA, or perhaps a OM-D E-M5 kit with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ...tough choice.

ThrillaMozilla wrote:

lightwriter wrote:

That means you recommend using the kit lens and the 10-18 STM, is that right? I was trying to avoid using two lenses, but if that is the best path...

It all depends on what you want to do. You listed a lot of lenses, and they will all take pictures, but I have no idea why you selected them. You need to decide how wide you want your field of view to be.

If I were photographing real estate, I would want the capability offered by an ultra-wide lens, but that is not a general-purpose lens, and it won't do telephotos. But it is an optional extra. You probably wouldn't find it very good for general use, and you would probably want to change lenses if you use it. If you're happy with a phone, then maybe you don't want it or need it.

The kit lens is a general purpose lens, and they almost give it to you. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to get that. It will do everything your phone will do, plus a lot more.

You listed some lenses with very wide focal length ranges, like 18-135 or something. I don't know why you would need anything longer than an 18-55 mm kit lens, but you have to decide that. Besides, lenses with very wide focal length ranges tend not to be as sharp as lenses with narrow ranges.

I have no idea why you chose all those lenses you listed. Some of them are a little faster (for use in darkness) than the kit lenses, but that's not likely to be a helpful feature, as you would have trouble getting everything in focus with the lens aperture wide open.

My advice in a nutshell: You said you want a flip screen, and you seem to want something cheap. Get a Canon T5i (whatever they call that in Europe) or Nikon D5200 with a kit lens. If you think you want to also try an ultra-wide lens, get the Canon with the Canon 10-18 lens; the Nikon equivalent is much more expensive, although there are some mid-priced third-party ultra-wide lenses for Nikon. I don't know anything about the other brands you mentioned. These are both top-notch quality and less expensive than most.

If you really, really don't want to use an ultra wide lens and don't want to change lens, get a bridge camera. I don't know anything about those.

The 18-135 lens that I listed I agree, it doesn't really make sense for my purpose. The other lenses that I listed, like the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF), were an effort to see if I could use only one lens; I didn't choose them because they're faster.

However, maybe a canon or nikon with kit lens and a UWA might be the answer. That, or the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ, maybe.

lightwriter wrote:

... like the Tokina AT-X PRO 12-24mm F4 (IF), were an effort to see if I could use only one lens; I didn't choose them because they're faster.

That could work too, maybe.  The range is a little more restricted than the two-lens solution, of course.  Your choice.