Real estate lens question? (Page 2): Using a 10mm lens for pano is an invitation to lots of post processing. Too much distortion - and I don't mean the barrel type. All ultra wide...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Strodav wrote:

I've posted this before. I have a Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 lens on a D7200 (DX) body. I took some pics of a brick wall at 10, 15, and 20mm and pulled them up in Lightroom Classic CC. There was some distortion, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I applied the lens correction factors and the distortion and CA disappeared completely. So, I don't worry about distortion on wide angle lenses - go for the 11-16 IF your software has lens correction.

Using a 10mm lens for pano is an invitation to lots of post processing. Too much distortion - and I don't mean the barrel type. All ultra wide lenses suffer from extension distortion and no lens correction can fix that. They also suffer from volume deformation - and though there is a fix for that provided by DXO Viewpoint, it is of limited use - this also cannot be corrected with a lens profile.

These types of distortions are indeed something to be concerned about - since they can make a room seem disproportionately deep, and objects closer to the lens are shown disproportionately large. This is less of a problem with longer focal lengths and panos, which is what the OP is actually asking about. Though I like the Sigma 10-20, I would only use it at 20mm for pano applications, but only if I did not have a longer lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Neither. Forget getting an entire room in one image, you have to shoot multiples for and stitch panoramas. The 18-140 isn't fast enough, and the 11-16 will distort on the 11 mm end. I had to capture a large living room for a Designer, and ended up doing a 5 shot panorama that I stitched together in Lightroom. My 16-35 distorted vertices which I could not easily correct, so I went with the 24-70.

Real estate photography involves shooting static subjects with substantial depth of field - so why would you think that you'd need a "fast" lens in this scenario? The 18-140 is more than adequate to the task. At F8 or F11, the images from this lens are excellent.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Shutterbug57 wrote:

The number 1 concern has to be getting as much content into the shot as possible. Realtors and buyers want to see as much of the rooms as possible. Not sure if the D7100 has in-camera distortion elimination routines, but if it does, I would use them and go with the Tokina.

In camera distortion control only applies to OEM lenses, in this case Nikkor, and only for jpegs. If there are high contrast situations that need to be shot - not at all uncommon to RE photography, shooting raw would be the best way to handle that.

While realtors and buyers want to see everything, the image should also depict the size of the room faithfully - something that is really hard to do with an 11mm lens. Anyone can go buy an ultra-wide lens and take a single shot, but the better rendition will most certainly be with a pano and a longer lens. The OP has the right idea and is asking about which lens would be better for shooting panos.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

rmalarz wrote:

My interest is in working for agents who are willi... (show quote)

When asked to do RE, I always inquire what they are willing to spend. I show them a few examples - some taken with a cellphone camera, and some with my better gear. I am clear that if they want to spend the minimum amount - usually somewhere between $100 and $200, I will shoot it with the cellphone, no staging, quick and dirty and they can have their images even before I leave, in the form of an attachment to an email. If they like the better images, then we talk about my per diem, staging, etc. and that can cost north of $2000 for a typical 4 or more bedroom, 3000 sq ft or larger house. They will get their images the following day.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

You say "...panorama..." - if you are looking to do a 360/180 then a fisheye is what you want. If you are shooting with a Nikon then its 10.5 mm has world wide recognition as an excellent lens. If you are not looking to do 360/180 then if just 360 then the same 10.5mm. If NOT 360 but rather wider angle then a 24-70mm will do the job nicely. Shoot in portrait so you have good height.
But. be careful because you can create a big curvature because when making a panorama of several shots. The image directly in front of you will appear closer than the side images.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

This question pops up several times a month. I have a DSLR and a Realtor friend and I'm going into real estate photography. Something like 1). Nikon D810, 2). Nikon 14-24 or 16-35 3). Lightweight tripod 4). Manfroto 410 Junior or 405 geared head. 5). Reliable flash and remote trigger or ability to fire remote. 6). Have fun because you will play hell making a living unless you are exceptional and have loads of Realtor connections that have lots of listings.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lsupremo wrote:

Ok you real estate Hoggers, which of my lens on my Nikon D7100 would yo use for inside panorama photos?

1. Nikkor DX 18-140mm, 1:3.5-5.6 set to around 18mm.
2. Tokina SD 11-16mm, f2.8 DX set around 13 to 15mm.

My concerns are primarily about distortion and sharpness.

I believe Nikon's newer firmware for the D7100 addresses distortion on wide angle lenses. And I believe, at least on the D500 it has it, in the menu you can set your camera to minimize distortion and in touch up their is a program to fix distortion to some extent. Again, I am not sure about the D7100, it has been a while since I had one of these babies in my hands.
I would also suggest, since you have not purchased one yet, the Nikon 10-20, this lens is less expensive and has received good reviews.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1341603-REG/nikon_20067_af_p_dx_nikkor_10_20mm.html?sts=pi

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Gene51 wrote:

To answer your concerns - the shorter the focal le... (show quote)

Excellent point !!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lsupremo wrote:

Ok you real estate Hoggers, which of my lens on my Nikon D7100 would yo use for inside panorama photos?

1. Nikkor DX 18-140mm, 1:3.5-5.6 set to around 18mm.
2. Tokina SD 11-16mm, f2.8 DX set around 13 to 15mm.

My concerns are primarily about distortion and sharpness.

Given the choice, I'd take the Tokina, based on my past experience with it. The suggestion of a panorama is a good one. HDR can also help even out the exposure.

Sharona Loc: Alpharetta, Georgia

Ideal set up, David. Not sure about the 810 but presume Nikon also has downloadable firmware to prevent lens distortion as well as in camera setting for same. Not having vertical lines or objects close to lens at edges of frame and barrel distortion should not be an issue. You did not ask any questions but there was some discussion in the thread.

DavidPine wrote:

This question pops up several times a month. I have a DSLR and a Realtor friend and I'm going into real estate photography. Something like 1). Nikon D810, 2). Nikon 14-24 or 16-35 3). Lightweight tripod 4). Manfroto 410 Junior or 405 geared head. 5). Reliable flash and remote trigger or ability to fire remote. 6). Have fun because you will play hell making a living unless you are exceptional and have loads of Realtor connections that have lots of listings.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I have been asked by the company that sold my house in surbuban Philadelphia to shoot houses for them.
I did the photos for my townhouse which sold in a few weeks. They wanted to pay $150 a house. The RE industry
is does not want to pay for photos very much. Yes luxury houses (which we have in southeast Florida can get more
money and it is usually video. With aerials and good editing and efx. But as a producer I see $3500 not enough money
for the great video I saw above of a CA house. Stills and video pricing have fallen way down in the last few years.
I was talking to a potential client about some fun mini spots for his upscale car service. He asked how much.
I made it up and said 2k. He gave me a look like not going to happen. This is what we are dealing with.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

In this area the majority (fully 80+%) are shot by the realtor with their cellphones. Pictures are crap but they don't seem to mind. For the few high dollar and FSBO homes that want great photos, they want drone shots included. Not many photographers with drones.
There is some business for real estate photographers in this area but you've got to be friends with somebody and your skills as a photographer don't much matter.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

If you want to stand out as a premium photographer, you might conceder two things. 1) use a 17mm Tilt Shift lens and 2) shoot HDR to get out the window etc.

I have done it a few times for friends in real-estate but i don't want to be in to that.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Get out the window???
--Bob

Picture Taker wrote:

If you want to stand out as a premium photographer, you might conceder two things. 1) use a 17mm Tilt Shift lens and 2) shoot HDR to get out the window etc.

I have done it a few times for friends in real-estate but i don't want to be in to that.

canon Lee

lsupremo wrote:

Ok you real estate Hoggers, which of my lens on my Nikon D7100 would yo use for inside panorama photos?

1. Nikkor DX 18-140mm, 1:3.5-5.6 set to around 18mm.
2. Tokina SD 11-16mm, f2.8 DX set around 13 to 15mm.

My concerns are primarily about distortion and sharpness.

As to the distortion question... You need to have the camera parallel to the floor in order to keep the lens distortion at a minimum. Bring a level or eye it in live view.