What Digital Camera to Carry for Interior Pics for Buyers?

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What Digital Camera to Carry for Interior Pics for Buyers?

Burt L.
Real Estate Investor · Steamboat, CO · Member since 2010 · 295 posts · 34 votes

It become very clear lately that I need to have a digital camera to take interior photos with - beyond a smartphone- that I can then download and send to potential buyers.

I'm would like to know what digital cameras traveling property viewers take when going to view properties? I didn't find much in a search here, but did find a thread on the other things to take.

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/56/topics/61204-what-prospecting-tools-do-you-carry-

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Curt DavisBusiness Member
Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
14y

I used an EOS Rebel T3 with a wide angel lens. Its a very expensive camera when you purchase the separate flash, total was around $1,100 but the picture quality it takes will help you sell homes faster as they will look better. ITs also not just the camera but knowing how to take a picture that is good. Standing in the right place to get the angel is also important.

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  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    14y

    I used an EOS Rebel T3 with a wide angel lens. Its a very expensive camera when you purchase the separate flash, total was around $1,100 but the picture quality it takes will help you sell homes faster as they will look better. ITs also not just the camera but knowing how to take a picture that is good. Standing in the right place to get the angel is also important.

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
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  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    14y

    Excellent choice, Curt Davis :-). I have the older Canon T2i. I think the T2i is still available and is very similar to the T3i unless you're doing video. The T3i has a LCD panel that pulls out to make it easier to see if you're holding the camera at an odd angle. I see the T4i is out now, but a T3i with a kit lens is only $699 at B&H:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753762-REG/Canon_5169B003_EOS_Rebel_T3i_Digital.html

    That may seem like a lot, but I paid $400 for a point-and-shoot Nikon four years ago that is way less than half the camera of these new DSLRs. I bought it specifically for its wide angle setting. Its not a bad camera. But before you spend that on a point and shoot, just jump to DSLR. The short end of that kit lens should do fine for interiors. If you want wider angle than that, try something like this:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381610-REG/Sigma_201101_10_20mm_f_4_5_6_EX_DC.html

    or

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351542-GREY/Canon_9518A002_EF_S_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_USM.html

    If you want to try out different lenses, Mikes Camera rents lenses.

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  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    14y

    Great suggestions, guys. B&H is the absolutely best source for photography gear, as Jon indicated.

    No matter what you decide, I'd err on the side of a better camera and higher quality photos. A good photo can certainly help sell and a bad one can easily lose the sale.

    I like the Canon line because of the vast selection of lenses available, and frankly, I've always been happy with the quality of their gear.

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  • Jerry PuckettPro Member
    Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    I use a Sony Cyber-shot.($120 bucks at Best Buy) Definitely not pro gear, but it suits my needs just fine. Very small and compact, takes great high rez pictures. Just pop the SD card out to upload.

    I agree 100% with Curt Davis, getting the right angle is very important. For the most part, I use the pictures to jog my memory later while I'm calculating repairs. But I also try to get a set of shots to use for marketing should I need to, which is less and less often these days.

    I have also used it to shoot video for a virtual tour.

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  • George Gray
    Investor · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2010 · 72 posts · 21 votes
    14y

    I have also used a Sony Cybershot for a number of years. I have dropped it more times than I can count (a few times off of a roof) and it keeps on working. I do quite a bit of appraisal work on restaurants, and having a wide angle lens would be nice. I looked at a Fuji camera with a wide angle lens in the $175 range at Best Buy not long ago. I probably would have bought it except that it uses AA batteries. The Canon T series cameras that Curt Davis and Jon Holdman mentioned are excellent, and are the obvious choice if your budget will stand it and you are not to rough on your equipment.

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  • Shane Woods
    Real Estate Agent · Weatherford, TX · Member since 2011 · 726 posts · 284 votes
    14y

    J Scott, what does your wife use? Her pics are always awesome.

    0Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    it's not the camera, it's the ability to take great photos that is important. the gear definitely helps, but i can give you a 10k camera and if you take a picture in Auto mode, it will look like a picture taken with a $120 camera.

    i am a photo enthusiast, so i know a thing or two about this topic. a wide lens is helpful because it can show much more of a room compared to a regular point and shoot camera. pm me if you want more information, but in general, the wider the lens, the more expensive it is. you can use a kit lens 18-55mm that comes with most digital SLR's and take a very, very good picture.

    however, if you dont know how to control the lighting, your $700-$1500 you just spent on that camera would be a waste of money.

    Jscott's wife knows how to control the light and that's the most important thing while taking pics.

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  • Suzie B.
    Greentown, IN · Member since 2012 · 140 posts · 18 votes
    14y

    I would have to agree that the angle and lighting of a picture is as important as anything. I don't think you have to spend big bucks to take great photos.

    I use a Sony Cybershot as well... my personal camera (underwater model) that gets used for business photos from time to time.

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  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    14y
    Originally posted by Shane Woods:
    J Scott, what does your wife use? Her pics are always awesome.

    My wife uses a Canon EOS Rebel...

    But, to be honest, the camera doesn't matter very much. The reason my wife's pictures look good is Photoshop. She uses the software to adjust the picture properties like contrast, color, sharpness, lighting, etc.

    So, my recommendation is to buy a cheaper camera than you can afford and invest the savings in some decent photo editing software.

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  • Phillip Dwyer
    Real Estate Agent · Henderson, NV · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 550 votes
    14y

    I've asked a professional photography friend about this topic a few months back. He's said the same thing regarding camera selection. Lighting is everything, and the type of camera is less important. I'm curious if any of you would recommend any books on the subject. I think the time spent learning how to take better pics would more than pay for itself and quickly too.

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  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    14y

    Phillip,

    I don't know of any books (I'm sure there are lots of them, I just don't know what they are), but I know that most community colleges have courses on photography. I bet a basic 101 level course would provide a lot of benefits.

    If I didn't have my wife to handle the photography, that's would I would do.

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  • Tracey Williams
    Investor · Columbus , OH · Member since 2010 · 311 posts · 51 votes
    14y

    I think I need that basic 101 level course in photography. LOL !!!

    0Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    dont buy books. just take your camera OFF "auto" and experiment. Change the ISO, change the shutter speed. then change the aperture. see what it does. there are tons of videos on youtube to show you the basics.

    the key is to experiment and try something that is not as easy as "point and shoot".

    i have seen this guy's videos and they are very good for the beginners... - http://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelTheMentor?feature=mhee

    i even got one of his CD's years ago..

    1Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    14y

    Similar discussion to this topic:
    http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/forum/threads/59720-Real-Estate-Photos-Photoshop/page2

    Comparing "Bad" vs "Good" photos:
    http://shootingforyou.wordpress.com/

    Bad real estate photo galleries online:
    http://losalamitos.patch.com/articles/real-estate-bad-real-estate-photo-hall-of-fame

    http://www.zillow.com/blog/2008-07-11/bad-and-really-bad-real-estate-photos/

    http://blog.vht.com/category/bad-photo-of-the-day/

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  • Spencer I.
    Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2012 · 102 posts · 13 votes
    14y

    I recently purchased the Canon Eos Rebel T3 and also got the widest lens available on the market the Sigma 8mm-16mm wide angle lens lens. At the right anlge at 8mm you can get 3 full walls, the floor and roof in one shot.

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  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    the wide lenses are expensive (OEM nikon lenses are thousands), but another thing you can do is do "panorama" shots.. Use a standard P&S camera and then use the software to merge the photographs. Takes longer, but much cheaper.

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  • Sophia Wang
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Richmond, VA · Member since 2012 · 63 posts · 3 votes
    14y

    For those of you interested in learning how to take better photos (angle, composition, and lighting) or how to do basic editing. You can check out Lynda.com. I have learnt a lot from watching their tutorials. I'd try out one month subscription before I jump into yearly agreement though.

    0Reply
  • Kyle J.
    Rental Property Investor · Northern, CA · Member since 2012 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    14y

    I have a bunch of digital cameras (i.e. point and shoot, digital SLR, etc) for various uses, but I'll use any of them for taking photos of a house. I don't think it makes that much of a difference, so I generally just use the smallest, easiest point and shoot camera I have (Sony Cybershot or Panasonic Lumix).

    0Reply
  • Sharon Vornholt
    Goshen, KY · Member since 2009 · 835 posts · 683 votes
    14y

    So long as the lights are on in the house, I don't think you have to have an expensive camera. I get great pictures and video with my Kodak flip camera. All I'm trying to do is to get a few pictures of the house to pass on to my investor buyers.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Investor · Select a State · Member since 2011 · 11 posts · 7 votes
    14y
    Originally posted by Sharon Vornholt:
    So long as the lights are on in the house, I don't think you have to have an expensive camera. I get great pictures and video with my Kodak flip camera. All I'm trying to do is to get a few pictures of the house to pass on to my investor buyers.

    Certainly understandable, but for someone that wants to put together a professional marketing package it's really nice to be able to take some decent photos of a 10' X 14' room. A standard point and shoot with a standard lens is only going to get one wall and some floor. When you get to a smaller starter home bathroom the same point and shoot camera might for example only get the counter top / shower curtain in the photo and that's with you standing in the hallway shooting through the doorway. A good camera with a wide angle lens helps a lot in showing more of the entire room.

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  • Jesse Tsai
    Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2011 · 188 posts · 116 votes
    14y

    I agree with a wide angle lens, we use a T3 with a Sigma 10mm wide angle lens.

    The pictures are far better than what you get with a point and shoot. Rooms look a lot bigger, and you're able to capture much more with one shot.

    0Reply
  • Dave K.
    Real Estate Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2011 · 45 posts · 12 votes
    14y
    Originally posted by George P.:
    dont buy books. just take your camera OFF "auto" and experiment. Change the ISO, change the shutter speed. then change the aperture. see what it does. there are tons of videos on youtube to show you the basics.

    the key is to experiment and try something that is not as easy as "point and shoot".

    i have seen this guy's videos and they are very good for the beginners... - http://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelTheMentor?feature=mhee

    i even got one of his CD's years ago..

    I would like to add that lighting and steady hand is also very important. If your hands are not very steady, try to get a tripod or just lean/rest it on some surface. Also the small tiny cameras don't help much if you have big hands so even think about less fancy bigger cameras that work best for you.

    I've been with Canon digital camera (point and shoot) and will stick with them. They take much better photos inside than sony from my experience. I know Canon and Nikon DSLRs are very good and that will be my next one but I've got more to learn with my Canon SD790 IS's manual settings.

    I always thought I needed flash indoors but play with your setting and you'll be amazed. Just remember to have a notepad handy so you can write down and even photograph the settings that you are testing out. Also, you can look in the property/details of the photo on your computer and it will tell you most of the settings.

    Lastly, BHphoto is just okay but discount retailers like Newegg, and Frys.com will have the best prices on camera. I always check deal sites to get an idea of what the previous good sale prices were before buying one. Deals on Electronics I know.. now if I can master the ins and outs of real estate I'll be set.

    Canon T3i with just basic lens at BHPhoto is $700 but at newegg right now it's $30 more for the camera but you get an extra zoom lens if anyone is interested. Looks like the lower end of the prices for this camera is around $570-$600 at Frys or ebay but I don't trust ebay these days for expensive things like this. Also no warranty from ebay but 1yr with frys and 1 extra if you have the right credit card. Also cash back sites to make it cheaper!
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1032821

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  • Grant P.
    Denver, CO · Member since 2012 · 218 posts · 48 votes
    14y

    I pay a service to take my photos for me. With all the talk about $1100 cameras, that sounds like something I don't want to deal with.

    The other big upside to the service is I don't actually have to go out and take the time to do it. If my listing is 30min each way away, just travel expenses and travel time kill me.

    You would be shocked how inexpensive it is to get a quality service to take photos of you property done, and all you do is wait for that email, instead of using your valuable time.

    Not sure if they are everywhere, but in my market OBEO is by far the best in my opinion. There pictures always look great!!!

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  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    14y

    grant, if i didn't like to take pictures as much as i do, i'd never even try to take pics myself. i absolutely agree with you, just pay to get amazing pictures and just list it.

    i just like to take great pictures too darn much to let anyone else do it. :)

    0Reply
  • Al Bunch
    Realtor · Houston, TX · Member since 2013 · 128 posts · 27 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by George P.:
    it's not the camera, it's the ability to take great photos that is important. the gear definitely helps, but i can give you a 10k camera and if you take a picture in Auto mode, it will look like a picture taken with a $120 camera.
    i am a photo enthusiast, so i know a thing or two about this topic. a wide lens is helpful because it can show much more of a room compared to a regular point and shoot camera. pm me if you want more information, but in general, the wider the lens, the more expensive it is. you can use a kit lens 18-55mm that comes with most digital SLR's and take a very, very good picture.

    however, if you dont know how to control the lighting, your $700-$1500 you just spent on that camera would be a waste of money.

    Jscott's wife knows how to control the light and that's the most important thing while taking pics.

    One word...

    Strobist

    If you're looking to sell the property, George is spot on. Control the light. If you just want snapshots, best advice is the widest angle lense you can get on a point-and-shoot.

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