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Best Digital Cameras For Real Estate Interior Shots
Taking
interior shots of houses and commercial
buildings for real estate purposes poses
a number of challenges:
Most
consumer digital cameras have a lens with
focal lengths starting at 35mm, which
does not cover a wide enough angle to
show off an interior properly;
The
interior may not be lighted well enough.
These
two challenges can be addressed a number
of ways, e.g.:
Take
a number of panoramic shots and later
stitch them together;
Set
up professional studio lights.
The
above solutions are not very practical for
the majority of real estate sales agents
and interior designers who need an easier
and less time consuming alternative.
Fortunately,
there are alternatives:
Purchase
a digital camera that comes with a wide-angle
lens as standard (at least 28mm) or that accepts
an optional wide-angle converter (be aware
that converters may cut off your viewfinder
view, in which case use the LCD monitor
to compose your shot);
Ensure
the digital camera also accepts a powerful
external flash which provides the full
wide-angle coverage.
The
following non-DSLR digital cameras and accessories
are presented for your consideration as
a starting point for further research.
Of course, purchasing a DSLR and the appropriate wide-angle lens is now an affordable option. As usual, do your own research and try them
out at a store (try for a similar indoors
situation) before you purchase. In alphabetical
order of manufacturer:
15.1 megapixels
18-55mm (28.8-88mm equiv.) 3x optical zoom and Max. Aperture F3.5 with IS Kit Lens
Accepts optional external flash units
Optical Viewfinder
DSLR with interchangeable lens
HD Video more...
DSLR prices have gone down quite a bit but remember that a good wide-angle lens can sometimes cost as much -- or even more -- than your DSLR! But if you can afford it, a DSLR paired with an appropriate wide-angle lens is the way to go.
Are your indoors shots coming out underexposed
(too dark)? One reason might be that it's
just too dark and your digital camera cannot
handle it (i.e. missing the ability to use
slower shutter speed, faster lens, larger
aperture, higher ISOs, more powerful flash).
Also remember that if a bright light source
(such as a window or patio door) is included
in the picture, be sure to expose for the
interior not the bright light source [point
the center of the camera to a dark area,
half-press shutter release button to lock
the exposure, recompose, and take the picture].
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