You can attempt to use any lens for Real Estate photography, though you may not get the best results. Its important to get the right lens first time around. Read on and you can find out which lens is best for you.
Whether you’re trying to sell your home, get a part time side job as a photographer snapping pictures of homes for a realtor, or you’re interested in architecture and buildings this list will provide you with some important insight as to what you should consider when buying a lens for Real Estate snapping.
The best lenses for real State photography simply put are wide angle. When shooting Real Estate it’s important that no detail is missed, you also want your shots to be in frame, and of course bokeh is important for making the images look sharp, as well as artistic.
Whether you’re shooting inside or outside there are consistent must haves for Real Estate photography. You will always want to prioritise lenses that offer low distortion, wide angles and of course quick, fast and reliable autofocus.
We have curated a list of lenses that will suit a range of budgets, skill levels and image quality specifications so you can shoot Real Estate better than ever before.
Tokina 12-28mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX Lens for Nikon
The first lens on our list is the Tokina 12-28mm f/4.9 AT-X Pro DX lens. Tokina is a brand that perhaps some shooters out there will be unfamiliar with, be fear not, Tokina have been and are continuing to produce some of the best lenses on the market right now.
This lens is a great all round option for those that want great image quality, value for money and good build quality. It works best on crop sensor cameras and offers users an extremely wide angle lens that is perfect for shooting real estate.
The Low level aperture shouldn’t be an issue for those shooting interiors primarily as this lens would suffer slightly outside. Some users have complained about vignetting when the lens is fully opened up but that is a small price to pay considering the price.
Tokina produce extremely versatile and well built lenses at a great price and this lens should definitely be considered for anyone looking to shoot real estate.
Pros
- This lens offers extreme value for money.
- Tokina are building strong, robust lenses that are hardy and long lasting.
- This lens is great for interior shooting.
- Offers a superb wide angle shooting ability.
- The GMR autofocus is both fast and reliable perfect for shooting indoors.
- Aspherical lenses in both the front and back of this lens ensure that images are sharp throughout the lenses focal range.
- Great for shooting videos since the autofocusing system is silent.
- If you own a crop sensor camera then you should definitely consider this lenses as it has a focal length of up to 45mm.
- SD glass eliminates chromatic abbreviations.
- For the price this is extremely good value for money.
- Perfect for everyone all the way from beginners to professional.
- Great image quality.
Cons
- Doesn’t shoot well in low level light.
- Limiting – this lens will only shoot well indoors.
- F/4.0 aperture is relatively low.
- No manual autofocus override.
- Not made for full frame cameras meaning some users might not be able to use this lens.
- Not adaptable – this lens is limited in functionality to real estate photography.
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens
The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom lens is the second camera to make it onto our list. This lens has some short comings, which like the Tokina are easily edited out with post-shoot editing software.
However, the Canon lens has extremely good autofocusing capabilities that make it the perfect lens for shooting real estate. The ultra sonic motor is both silent and effective, this is perfect for anyone wanting to shoot accurate, detailed crisp shots of real estate.
The Ultra Low Dispersion glass also means that this lens will insure great optics. If you’re looking to shoot real estate but want a lenses that is also adaptable for other shooting capabilities then the Canon EF 17-40 is an extremely wise option. Consider spending a little more than the Tokina option and get a more versatile lens that shoots just as well outside as it does indoors.
Pros
- Good value for money.
- Extremely good build quality.
- Ultra wide oozing capabilities.
- Ultra Sonic auto focusing motor is both silent and extremely quick.
- Perfect for shooting real estate but also adaptable, this lens will work just as well outside of the house shooting landscapes as it will shooting interiors.
- Great for portrait photography too.
- Considerably lighter in weight in comparison with other models.
- Weather sealing that is perfect for outdoor shooting.
- Considering this lens is an ultra wide it offers great value for money in comparison with other lenses on the market.
- Extremely large zoom range in comparison with similarly priced lenses.
Cons
- Like the Tokina, the aperture of this lens is low.
- Wider focal length can lead to chromatic abbreviations.
- Image corners can soften.
Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX Lens for Nikon
The Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X is our best budget real estate photography lens. For anyone wanting to try out real estate photography, or unsure of whether they’re ready to commit to a lens built specifically for real estate shooting then this is your best shot.
As previously noted, Tokina make great lenses that normally offer a cheaper alternative to the mainstream brand lenses which are often more expensive for similar specifications. He wide range this lens offers for the money makes it great for anyone considering shooting real estate whilst the lens is best suited for crop sensor camera owners or users.
This lens also has great low level distortion reports making it the prefect wide angle zoom lens to use whilst shooting indoors! If you’re a photographer looking for budget real estate specific lens then look no further!
Pros
- Great value for money.
- Great build quality.
- Perfect for interiors, exterior and architectural photography.
- Best suited to crop sensor camera users.
- Compact lens for a wide angle.
- Small and lightweight in comparison with other models.
- Get professional results at an amazingly low price.
- Switch between manual and autofocus quickly and easily.
- Weather sealed and water resistant perfect for shooting in all conditions.
- Super-low desperation glass and abbreviation to reduce chromatic abbreviation in your shots.
- Produces great contrast in images.
Cons
- Autofocus can be loud which is unpractical if you’re filming.
- Inconsistent results.
- Spend a little more and get a better quality lens.
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is our go to lens for wide angle shooting. This lens is especially popular with photographers who shoot real estate and offers extremely professional photographs every time.
Heavy hard exteriors aren’t necessary for real estate photographers who spend most their time shooting indoors. The Canon EF-S instead comes with a plastic body that is both lightweight and compact, great for anyone wanting to shoot indoor shots all day, everyday.
The ultra wide shooting abilities that this canon lens offer make it more than enough for any real estate photographers needs. Its super fast built in auto focus system is great for snapping accurate pictures every time whilst the built in image stabilisation ensures that you will spend minimal time editing your photos post shoot.
Pros
- The perfect lens for real estate photography.
- Lightweight in comparison with other models.
- Great value for money.
- Ultra wide angle shooting capabilities.
- Fast sharp and accurate autofocus.
- Built in image stabilisation is great added touch.
- Manual focus override is available if required.
- Even at maximum aperture this lens will shoot great photographs.
- STM motor provides fast sharp autofocusing that remains silent.
- Consistent high resolution images.
- Outer coating for reduces glare, ghosting and flare in your shots.
- Great for photographers of all abilities and levels.
Cons
- Chromatic aberration is bad.
- Image become distorted when the aperture is fully wide.
- Works best on a cropped sensor camera.
- Low maximum aperture.
Conclusion
Real estate photography is a trade that shows no signs of dying out. Plenty of photographers turn toward real estate shooting in order to make some extra money, or to subsidise their income.
Most lenses won’t shoot real estate photography well, which means annoyingly its better to invest in one of these lenses that will give you professional results every time and leave you with minimal time in the studio retouching images.
This list has covered a wide range of real estate specific lenses that cover both budget and high end levels, as well as lenses that are suitable for other types of shooting as well. Its worth considering what you want the lens for, before you take the plunge but any of the lenses on this list will provide any real estate photographer with the tools necessary to take great images.
