The Best Wide-Angle and 35mm Lenses for Real Estate Photography

Must-have lens features for real estate photography

Different lenses have different capabilities. For real estate photography, there are two key characteristics you want to watch out for when shopping for lenses: wide-angle and 35mm.

• Wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens captures a home’s exterior in crisp detail. This can increase its virtual “curb appeal” and make it stand out in listings. A wide-angle lens is also a must-have for capturing an entire room.
• 35mm lens: There’s a reason why almost every professional photographer has a 35mm lens. This is one of the most versatile lenses on the market. With a focal length similar to the human eye, 35mm lenses excel at capturing a realistic view of any space. And with a wide aperture, yours can help you capture interior details in less-than-ideal lighting.

Canon EF-S 10-18mm

Like the Tamron lens, the Canon 10-18mm is an ultra-wide-angle lens. It’s great for capturing an entire room and creating a sense of spaciousness and depth. With a $299 price point, it’s a clear choice for an entry-level lens for real estate photography.

Pros:

• Incredible value
• Quick and accurate focus speed
• Impressive color resolution

Cons:

• Requires additional light to get the best results
• Lacks a lens hood
• No focus and distance scale

Retail Price: $299.99

Canon RF F4 24-105mm

Canon is one of the most trusted names in photography. This particular camera lens has an incredibly wide range of focal lengths, making it well-suited for exterior shots as well as interior photography of close spaces like bathrooms and pantries. Although it’s much more expensive than the Tamron, you could easily use it to photograph portraits, weddings, and other subjects. It’s also adored for its autofocus and shutter speed.

Pros:

• Sharp, versatile lens
• Features adjustment ring and lock switch
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Zoom can be stiff
• Might not be the best option in bright light
• Wobbles during barrel extension

Retail Price: $1099

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm

Nikon’s ultra-wide-angle lens gives photographers tremendous flexibility. This lens features a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture which keeps performance steady through a multitude of zoom ranges. This lens features a nano crystal coat to reduce ghosting and lens flare.

Pros:

• Delivers great results in a variety of lighting situations
• Perfect for wide, dramatic shots
• Virtually no edge-to-edge distortion

Cons:

• Heavier than other lenses on this list
• Might require some additional filtering purchases to get the results you need

Retail price: $1,749.95

Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD

With a wide range of focal lengths, the Tamron is incredibly versatile and adept at wide-angle shots. You wouldn’t sacrifice detail when taking large-scale photos of a property and its grounds. Priced at $599, it’s a reasonable investment, even if you’re just getting started.

Pros:

• Affordable option of a lens of this type
• Impressive sharpness and color quality
• Lightweight and comfortable during long shoots

Cons:

• Can be a bit soft in the corners
• Using lens hood leads to some vignetting
• Lacks image stabilization

Retail price: $599

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm

This prime lens by Nikon is compatible with 35mm, FX and DX cameras. Perfect for days when you need to travel light, the NIKKOR 35mm will give you great normal to wide-angle shots in low-light situations. At under $200, this lens is perhaps the best option for new photographers who wish to start capturing professional quality shots at an easy price point.

Pros:

• Very inexpensive for the quality it produces
• Quick and accurate autofocus
• Perfect for walking around shots

Cons:

• Being a prime lens, this lens lacks zoom functionality
• Slight color fringing means you might have to do some post-production work on your photos
• Noticeable soft corners

Retail price: $179.95

Besides your trusty lenses, you’ll need a few other essentials to prepare for your shoot:

• iPhone camera: We know—we just talked all about the necessity of the perfect lens. But your iPhone camera is a great back-up when you’re out of battery life or storage space, or when you don’t feel like switching between your wide-angle lens and another option. Functional in a variety of lighting scenarios, your iPhone is always with you when you need to capture a single sweet detail, whether it’s a window box, a bird at a feeder, or a welcoming wreath on a home’s front door.
• Tripod: You may need to take long exposure shots to capture a home’s exterior. Instead of trying to hold your hand steady, bring along your trusty tripod for image stabilization.
• Flashgun: If your shoot drags on, you may need to take shots in low light. Come equipped with tools to illuminate the scene.
• Battery and memory cards: You don’t just want a shot; you want the right shot. Bring enough equipment to capture as many takes as you need.
• Editing tools: After the day’s work is over, you can always remove an unappealing detail in Adobe Photoshop or another photography app of your choice.
• Photographer insurance: A client could sue you for anything from treading mud on their expensive rug to taking shoddy photographs that impacted their home’s sale price. Take out photography insurance to hedge against risk.