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Suzanne Rumsey, Rumsey Home Team (Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate) (Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate)

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Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I recognize my own limitations and my Sellers appreciate professional photographs every time . . .  one of the reasons they approach me in the first place.

Apr 13, 2016 11:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

interesting question - will be back to read the responses

Apr 14, 2016 12:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Suzanne and Chris Rumsey go to a camera store and tell them what you need it for and they will suggest a product that will meet your requirements. 

Apr 14, 2016 12:04 AM
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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

I have enjoyed reading the answers to this question, and have learned a lot.  Thanks for asking the question!

 

Apr 14, 2016 12:27 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have a Nikon D5100 and it works very very well.  I have 4 lenses

Apr 14, 2016 11:47 AM
Rainer
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Shawn and Angela Miller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Amabassador Real Estate - Lincoln, NE
Lincoln and Omaha, NE REALTORS®

We have a Canon DLSR and I think its a Sigma wide angle lens.  Also a Canon detachable flash.  Works really good on auto setting.  Just don't take too wide of pictures as thing "curve" in the photos.  I've shown several buyers homes recently with really nice photos with the perfect soft, warm lighting.  I'm talking Fine Living magazine perfect.  The first things buyers say when we walk in, "Well, this isn't like the photos".  So get a nice camera, lens and flash and take good photos, but keep it real.  I also NEVER photoshop or retouch digitally. I've seen some grass in front yards retouched due to pet urine.  You see the true front yard when you get there.  I think it's a little unethical.   I know great photos get people in the house, but I also don't want them to be let down when they walk into a home.  Many buyers just get frustrated and feel a little "tricked".

Apr 14, 2016 07:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

What is your budget and what is your background and interest in photography?  Will you be using the camera for other types of photography?  Are you looking for automatic settings or do you want full manual control with sophisticated editing abilities?  Do you have a preference for certain brand names for glass?  These are only a small number of questions that would need answers for recommendations.

Apr 14, 2016 05:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Find a reputable camera shop and try them out. Learning features from a tiny owner's manual without hands on use is difficult at best Suzanne & Chris. If it's not easy to use or understand the features it does you no good. Don't get carried away with "wide-angle" lenses. There is such thing as too much of a good thing in real estate photography! Happy hunting.

Apr 14, 2016 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

To do it right, you need a camera with a detachable flash and you need to spend $$ on additional "slave" lights.  This can run in the thousands, especially if you go the DSLR route.

I use my Nexus 6p phone, it has an HD 18mp camera and 4k Ultra HD video camera.  In most lighting situations, it does a fantastic job.  I've had several compliments on my photos.  Had a waterfall shot where you could see the individual water drops from the waterfall's spray.

Apr 14, 2016 05:20 AM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

I photograph homes with the Canon 5D Mark III, usually with a Canon 16-35mm f2,8L wide-angle lens.

Whatever you do, buy a camera body with a full-frame sensor. Otherwise you are just wasting the power of whatever expensive, high-quality lenses you might buy.

Go online and get yourself a copy of Stan Barron's e-book, "How to Photograph Houses" (you can download it free).  You might also want to check out the kenrockwell.com website for camera and lens reviews, such as his review of the Canon 5D Mark III.

Apr 14, 2016 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Suzanne & Chris - I use a Nikon D40x for real estate stuff, and my go-to lens is an 18-50mm Nikkor. If I wasn't competent at Photoshop, however, I'd probably use a professional - Photoshop keeps me in the game, but it's a steep learning curve. You might want to look at Photoshop Elements, about $70 on Amazon - has everything you need except time to learn it :)

Apr 14, 2016 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
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Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

There is so much more than just throwing money at equipment to consider. I suggest taking an architechural photo course at your local adult evening college; it could save you alot of money and trouble.

Apr 14, 2016 02:25 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

There is no one right answer. Many cameras will work even with the kit lenses that come with them. Set a max price because cameras with accessories can run from $500.00 to $5000.00 +. Check out www.dpreview.com.

Apr 14, 2016 02:15 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have a Canon and like it.  I know Dick Greenberg got a new camera about a year or so ago and he is very happy with it. 

Apr 14, 2016 01:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Suzanne and Chris Rumsey Any good DSLR camera will take good photos. It's the person behind the lens that will determine an average snapshot vs. a great photograph.

Apr 14, 2016 01:39 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

No specific recommendation other than go with one that will not be above your ability to use it.

Apr 14, 2016 01:22 AM
Rainmaker
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Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I'm with Susan Emo, hire a professional.

Apr 14, 2016 12:53 AM
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hire a professional photographer! But if you want a camera for yourself anyhow, I have a Sony, and I have heard good things about Canon. And that professional can recommend cameras for your budget

Apr 14, 2016 12:29 AM
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I'll be watching for the techy replies.  Mostly I'd say having a professional take photographs would be worthwhile... and, dare I say, becoming expected.  

Apr 14, 2016 12:29 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Like Susan Emo and unless it is for a lease listing, I prefer to have a professional photographer.  I am fortunate that I  know some photograhers that if I was inclined to take my own photos, I would seek their advice.  Of course followed by a nice lunch.   

Apr 13, 2016 11:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I like the canon EOS but my son's mother-in-law takes photos of weddings and families.  As a professional photograher she recommends Nikons.

Apr 13, 2016 11:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,727
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I can't help on the lenses, but I can share that I've noticed that the professional photographers I used, all seem to shoot with digital NIkon camera except one that uses a Minolta. Those are the two brands I see consistently. I pay attention, because I'm a photo-hobbiest. I love shooting photos & videos.

Apr 13, 2016 11:44 PM
Rainmaker
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Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have a Nikon, but would prefer to have a professional photograph most of my listings.   If it is a small condo, or a home in bad repair, I will take them, but they aren't that good.

Apr 17, 2016 01:00 AM
Rainmaker
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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Look at the Canon website for your selection and check the prices on Amazon.

Apr 16, 2016 10:32 PM
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Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I have a great camera with a wide angle lens, but while I'm a decent photographer, I use a professional for my listing photos.

Apr 14, 2016 03:31 PM
Rainmaker
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

What is your comfort level with a camera? Start there. Some have more bells and whistles than others. There are a lot of great ones out there, and a lot of them have a wide angle lens built in. 

Apr 14, 2016 01:38 PM
Rainmaker
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Suzanne and Chris,

It is important to know what you can do better than anyone else, which is why we would hire a professional.  Everyone rags on FISBO's and many agents act exactly like FISBO's.  We are professionals, not jack of all trades, that is our opinion.  A

Apr 14, 2016 12:53 PM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Keep it simple and cheap, take lots of pics and pick out the best.

Apr 14, 2016 12:49 PM