The property listing world has changed A LOT over the last two decades.
With the overwhelming majority of people now doing their house hunting online, the power of the picture has never been more powerful and more important. Here’s just a few reasons why you need to be using the best lens for property photography in 2021:
- Properties with professional property photography sell 32% faster than those without.
- Properties priced between £160,000 to £810,000 sell for up to £9,000 more when listed with high quality estate agent photos.
In today’s competitive landscape, agents who fail to present properties in an attractive and appealing way are unlikely to generate the interest they need from online portals.
The most efficient way to be sure your estate agent photography stacks up is of course to hire a professional real estate photographer.
However, if you do shoot your own photos you need to make sure you have the right kit to produce photos that attract viewings and interest from potential buyers. Check out our ultimate guide to property photography page for some useful advice and easy tips.
The lens is possibly the most important piece of kit in your property photography arsenal so here’s our favourite lenses for estate agents who want to stand out our against the competition in 2021.
What Types of Lenses You Can Use
1. The Wide Angle Lens
This is a MUST HAVE for all real estate photos.
You want a room to appear as large and open as possible, while also being able to get the entire space into one wide angle shot. A wide angle lens allows you to capture a wider view of the space you are photographing.
2. The Zoom Lens
This offers a great versatility that can be applied to rooms of all shapes and sizes. One of the best advantages of a zoom lens for estate agents is that it allows you to change the focal lengths depending on the shot, without having to swap out the lens itself.
3. Minimal Distortion Lens
This type of lens enables you to capture a clear photo from edge to edge, with no distortion or blurriness to put off a potential buyer.
The Wide Angle Lens is the most important for the Estate Agents’ Photography kit as it’s vital to ensure you get photos that attract potential buyers and drives the leads you need.
If you or your team want to sharpen up on your property photography skills in order to maximise your results, read our blog about how to take property photos like a professional.
Our Favorite Wide Angle Lenses For Real Estate Photography
Tamron 10-24mm Wide Angle Lens F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC
This is an excellent wide angle lens for use with cropped sensor cameras. The ultra wide capabilities will enable you to capture photos that present a full sense of the space you’re photographing ensuring that potential buyers truly see the property in it’s best light.
The lens offers image stablisation features that will minimise any distortion or blurriness caused by an unsteady hand.
This lens is ideal for photographing both interior and exterior spaces as it adapts well to different lights meaning you can get great shots even when conditions aren’t ideal.
This Tamron’s wide range of features make it easy for non-professional photographers to use confidently and produce high quality images that are perfect for successful property marketing.
This the lightest lens in our list which makes it the perfect piece for the busy estate agent’s photography kit.
Nikon Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 –
This lens has a wide focal length with an impressive 107 degree angle of view. This means it’ll allow you to capture a nice, wide photo that really shows off the space.
On top of that, this lens performs really well in different light. This is a highly important feature for quality property photography as the amount of natural light can change room to room; even day to day depending on how the weather feels!
Another feature you’ll love is vibration reduction. This reduces the effect of an unsteady hand and means you’re more likely to walk away with a clear and steady shot.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM –
This Canon lens has a fantastic build quality and will therefore be a high performing member of your kit for many years. It’s also a lightweight lens so perfect for transporting between properties.
This is another wide angle lens that will enable you to capture attractive, sufficiently wide shots with excellent image quality.
A couple of features you’ll really love with this lens is the speedy image stabilisation and quick autofocus. These will do some of the legwork needed to create crystal clear photos without you having to master some of the more complex features.
As with the Nikon, the stabilisation feature is really important in real estate photography as it minimises the blurriness often created with hand-held cameras.
Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD –
The Tamron is an ultra wide lens and again will provide the necessary means to produce photography that accurately and attractively shows the space of the rooms you’re capturing.
Being ultra wide, this lens is especially ideal when you’re photographing larger spaces; both indoors and outdoors
Another reason this is a great choice for estate agents is because this lens is specifically designed to perform at a high standard even when the lighting is poor. This is a particularly compelling benefit for shooting interiors as it means darker rooms can still be photographed well.
Like the Canon and Nikon, the Tamron also has strong stablisation features.
Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX –
The Tokina is the cheapest of our recommendations and a great option for full frame cameras.
Despite it’s lower price tag, it possesses an impressive wide angle focal range, a 103.9 degree field of view and a speedy autofocus. All features that maximise your chances to capture a high quality and sharp standard of image.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART –
This is another ultra-wide lens making it perfect for use with cropped sensor cameras.
The Sigma also boasts a strong build quality making it highly durable. Like the other lenses in the list, this one has fast auto-focus making it easier for a non-pro to take property photos that meet the high standards today’s buyers expect.
How much do they cost?
| Lens | Cost (£) | Focal length | Weight |
| Tamron 10-24mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC | £480 | 10-24mm | 440 grams |
| Nikon Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 – | £984 | 16-35mm | 680 grams |
| Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM – | £949 | 16-35mm
| 620 grams |
| Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD – | £723 | 15-30mm | 1.099 kilograms |
| Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX – | £429 | 17-35mm | 600 grams |
| Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART – | £1301 | 12-24mm | 1.151 kilograms |
Photography is make or break where success on the online portals is concerned. High quality photographs are a must if you want to maximise the interest your listings generate.
An effective and reliable lens is therefore an essential part of any estate agent’s tool kit. A great lens is an investment and a definite no-brainer for any estate agent looking to boost their results.
