8 Lenses for Real Estate Photography to Invest in 2024

By Tati Taylor 4 days ago, Cameras & Lenses

What is the best lens for real estate photography at an affordable price?

top 3 lenses for real estate photography

I’ve been working in the US real estate photo business for a long time and wasted more than $30,000 buying different lenses. Finally, I’ve found the only and best lens for real estate photography, which any property photographer should have.

Typically, lenses suitable for real estate photos cost somewhere between $300 and $600 for cheaper models and between $1400 and $3000 for premium models.

Top 8 Lenses for Real Estate Photos

  1. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM - Best Canon lens for real estate
  2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED - Exceptional sharpness
  3. Sony - FE 12-24mm F4 G - Ultra-wide lens
  4. Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift-Lens - Best lens with tilt-shift function
  5. Canon EF 16-35MM F/2.8L II USM - Outstanding resolution
  6. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ART - Low-light lens
  7. Fujinon XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS - Сrisp color
  8. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED - Budget lens

Entering the world of real estate can be extremely difficult when it comes to navigating through a variety of lenses available on the market. In this article, I will help you select the best option for your camera for real estate photography. Whether you prefer a full-frame or a crop sensor camera, read on to learn how to select a great lens from a reputable brand.

Even if you use the best camera lens, you might still need to post-process your photos afterward. Poorly edited photos can dissuade clients from making a purchase.

If you want to save time and money, contact our professional editing service. The FixThePhoto team will quickly tweak colors, adjust exposure, remove distortion, and apply an HDR effect.

1. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM – Our Choice

Best Canon lens for real estate
canon ef 11-24mm f/3l best lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 11-24mm | Aperture: f/4 | Lens Mount: Canon EF | Weight: 2.60 lbs

  • ✚ More than double zoom
  • ✚ Low level of distortion
  • ✚ Small level of chromatic aberrations
  • ✚ High sharpness
  • Expensive cost
  • Vignetting at open aperture
Rating

This ultra-wide lens for real estate photography is going to come in handy in rooms with little space. Constant f/4 maximum aperture offers consistent performance. The improved lens coating prevents the formation of flares. The autofocus is very fast and almost silent with manual focus override function.

With this model you will capture architectural images with minimal distortion. This model has an advanced optical design. UD and Super UD high-quality elements deliver exceptional sharpness within the whole range. It’s a full frame and one of the best lenses for interior photography. Its focal range starts at 24mm and stretches out to 11mm.

The focus ring turns very smoothly and precisely. The model has a weather sealing gasket. In this class of lenses, Canon achieved a record viewing angle of 126 05 ‘- 84 00’ diagonally. The model has a great build and sharp optics.

2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Exceptional sharpness
nikon af-s nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 g ed lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 14-24mm | Aperture: f/2.8 | Lens Mount: Nikon FX | Weight: 2.14 lbs

  • ✚ Quiet operation
  • ✚ Minimized ghosting and flare
  • ✚ Fast and soundless autofocus
  • ✚ Impressive edge-to-edge sharpness
  • ✚ Rugged build
  • Pricey
Rating

The AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Lens from Nikon will come in handy for photographers who are looking for a zoom lens with an ultra-wide angle. Thanks to its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, this best lens for real estate photography allows you to take sharp, high-contrast images without any sign or blur. Just like other Nikon lenses, it supports improved light transmission thanks to the Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coating that minimizes ghosting and flare.

Due to 2 ED elements and 3 aspherical lenses, it doesn’t produce any chromatic and spherical aberrations. The lens is compatible with FX and DX-format DSLR cameras. It supports the 35mm focal length equivalent to 21-36mm.

The lens is fitted with the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and internal focus system, which accounts for quick, quiet, and precise autofocus. This G-type lens comes without an aperture ring, which makes it lighter and more compact. You can adjust the aperture using the camera’s command dial. The lens is made of a magnesium alloy. In addition, it is dust and moisture-resistant. Thanks to the integrated hood, the front lens element is fully protected.

3. Sony - FE 12-24mm F4 G

Ultra-wide lens
sony fe 12-24mm f4 g lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 12-24mm | Aperture: f/4 | Lens Mount: Optional | Weight: 1.25 lbs

  • ✚ Lightweight
  • ✚ Well put together
  • ✚ Quiet, sharp, and fast autofocus
  • ✚ Impressive depth of view at f/4
  • ✚ Great clarity, contrast, and color rendering
  • It might be challenging to use filters
Rating

If you are looking for capable Sony lenses for Sony cameras, this is a perfect choice. This lens is compatible with other cameras as well if you have a lens mount. Unlike other wide-angle lenses, it minimizes optical aberrations, thus allowing you to take high-resolution images.

Thanks to the Motor AF system, this real estate photography lens supports noiseless but accurate autofocus. Besides, you can change the focus manually. The lens is pretty compact and lightweight, which makes it a perfect option for travel photographers as well as anyone who likes taking photos of landscapes and architecture. The only disadvantage is that, similarly to many ultra-wide lenses, it has a bulging front element. This is why it might be difficult to use this lens with filters.

4. Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L

Best lens with tilt-shift function
canon ts-e 17mm f/4l lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 17mm | Aperture: f/4 | Lens Mount: Canon EF | Weight: 4.2 lbs

  • ✚ Perfect optical quality and sharpness
  • ✚ High build quality
  • ✚ Good vignetting and light fall-off control at all apertures
  • High price
  • Inability to use front or rear filters of any type
  • No autofocus
Rating

I have mentioned this model before and this is the best option among tilt shift lenses. This high-end lens provides minimal distortion even at the edges of the image. Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lens allows ± 6,5 tilt and ± 12 mm shift. Its aspherical elements together with ultra-low dispersion and some techniques minimize any sorts of aberrations.

SWS surface and Super Spectra coating suppress glare and reflections. It has a floating internal focusing mechanism that provides high-quality images across the entire focus range. The features of these models complement each other. When you are cornered in a small room, a 24mm camera will not be wide enough and that's where this 17mm lens comes in handy. If you are going to use the lens & camera combo outdoors to take city shots, make sure to employ a tripod for real estate photography to stabilize such a bulky setup.

5. Canon EF 16-35MM F/2.8L II USM

Outstanding resolution
canon ef 16-35mm f/2.8l ii lens for real estate photography

Resolution: 1920x1080 | Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 4500 | Screen size: 32" - 200"

  • ✚ Weighs only 1.4 lbs
  • ✚ Perfect build quality
  • ✚ High glare resistance
  • ✚ Instant focus
  • Haven’t been found
Rating

This lens is indispensable in photography for real estate. It belongs to Canon standard zoom lenses. The model has a powerful zoom, and also provides exceptional sharpness of the edges of the image. The maximum f/4 aperture enables you to shoot under a variety of lighting conditions.

Besides, this model is designed for shooting in all weather conditions and is protected from dust and moisture. Another huge benefit is that it’s compatible with Canon full frame as well APS-C sensor cameras. The price is steep, but it definitely corresponds to the quality.

Modern coating technologies, 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements and 2 Ultra Low Dispersion glass elements that it features, minimize barrel distortion and aberration, that are common problems for wide-angle lenses. This model manages to capture space, without any misrepresentation. Its another advantage is zoom ring: it’s really smooth with a minimal amount of resistance. Thanks to its exceptional performance you will be able to constantly get sharp results.

6. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ART

Low-light lens
sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 art lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 18-35mm | Aperture: f/1.8 | Lens Mount: Optional | Weight: 1.79 lbs

  • ✚ Amazing speed
  • ✚ Good build quality
  • ✚ Big aperture values
  • Large weight and size
Rating

It’s got even better picture quality than most f/1.8 prime lenses, which can’t even zoom! Professionals and amateurs in this sphere alike will love this lens, because the interface is friendly, and you absolutely don’t need to attend real estate photography classes to understand how it works. It’s an extremely efficient and practical model that you can incorporate into a variety of property shoots.

It works really well in low light, which makes it a great lens for night photography. Such value for a fraction of the price is really rare. Optical steady shot, smooth zoom, 16-35mm range, constant f/4 aperture and weather-resistant construction make for an incredible combination. Together with the flash it creates incredible twilight photographyof the buildings.

7. Fujinon XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS

Best Fuji lens for real estate
fujinon xf10-24mm f/4 r ois lens for real estate photography

Resolution: 1280x720 | Contrast Ratio: 5000:1 | Brightness (Lumens): 150 | Screen size: 30" - 300"

  • ✚ Wide viewing angle (110 degrees)
  • ✚ Built-in optical stabilizer
  • ✚ High sharpness over the entire range of focal lengths
  • High cost
  • Sharpness reduction at the edges of the frame at f /4
Rating

This is surely the best one available in Fuji’s lineup. Like all the Fuji lenses, this is a well-built lens. It’s tightly assembled and everything operates smoothly. One of the greatest benefits of this lens is that you can use filters, which are not typical for wide-angle lenses.

It’s difficult for amateur photographers to accurately estimate how wide the focal length should be for interior shots. When shooting indoors you can go as wide as 10 mm on this lens. Such focal length will prevent line distortion which makes it a perfect lens for interior photography. As a result, you will get images that are sharp within the entire range with little or no distortion at all.

8. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED

Budget lens
rokinon 14mm f/2.8 if ed lens for real estate photography

Focus Lengths: 14mm | Aperture: f/2.8 | Lens Mount: Optional | Weight: 1.22 lbs

  • ✚ Excellent sharpness
  • ✚ Slight chromatic aberrations
  • ✚ High resolution support (up to 36 megapixels)
  • ✚ Affordable price
  • No autofocus
Rating

This is the best budget lens for this photography genre. If you are doing small to medium sized houses, this is the best option for you. Its focal length is 14 mm and it can have a constant aperture of f/2.8.

There is some distortion, but it’s not extreme at all. If you use software to correct lens distortion - it can take the distortion away in a single click. This model has manual focus and even manual aperture.

It’s going to speed up not only your editing workflow but also the shooting process. It’s a full-frame lens, which is relatively sharp and the combination of f/2.8 aperture and 14mm focal length makes it the most optimal choice for your first lens.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
canon best lens for real estate photography
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
OUR CHOICE
  • More than double zoom
  • Low level of distortion
  • High sharpness
CHECK PRICE
canon tilt shift best lens for real estate photography
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L
TILT SHIFT
  • Perfect optical quality and sharpness
  • High build quality
  • Good vignetting and light fall-off control
CHECK PRICE
rokinon best lens for real estate photography
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED
BUDGET
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Slight chromatic aberrations
  • High resolution support
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Lens for Real Estate Photography?

When purchasing this type of real estate photography equipment, you need to take two things into consideration: focal length range and aperture.

Aperture

real estate photography lens interior

Aperture controls the amount of light passing through the lens and affects the depth of field within a photo. Aperture sizes are measured by f-stops. For example, a high f-stop like f-16 means that the shutter opening is small, and a low f-stop like f/1.8 means that it is wide open.

The smaller the number the more shallow the depth of field is.

Low aperture is rarely used in property photography unless you want to highlight a particular subject in the room or the lighting conditions are poor. The higher the maximum aperture of a lens the more expensive it is. What f-stop to use for real estate photos depends upon many factors, but normally f/5.6 and above is the best choice.

Focal Length

real estate photography lens focal length real estate photography lens focal length

Focal Length is the field of view for a particular camera lens, represented in millimeters (mm). The shorter it is, the wider the angle of view is. Some amateur photographers rush to buy ultra-wide lenses to raise their real estate photography rates, but shooting too wide can actually distort your photos and stretch the edges of your shot.

For the bulk of property photos, lenses in the range of 20-25mm are what most of the professionals tend to use. Choosing the wrong focal length may drastically affect your background.

Zoom vs Prime

real estate photography lens interior

Prime lenses will be perfect for those who need to take sharp photos, but zoom lenses have more uses. They are almost just as sharp as prime lenses, but you can use them for taking different kinds of photos, which makes them a great bang for your buck.

Even if you are on a tight budget, it might be a good idea to pay more for a zoom lens to take photos at different focal lengths. Besides, such lenses are pretty lightweight, and you can easily fit them into your camera bag.

Full-Frame vs. Crop Sensor

Full-frame cameras generally offer better image quality, but APS-C or crop sensor cameras can be more budget-friendly and still deliver good results. If using a crop sensor camera, consider the crop factor when choosing your lens.

Image Stabilization

Real estate photographers often encounter low-light situations or shoot handheld. In such cases, image stabilization can be beneficial to avoid camera shake and take sharp images.

Consider Tilt-Shift

Tilt-shift lenses allow you to correct perspective distortion and are handy when shooting buildings and architecture. They can be expensive, but they offer unique benefits for real estate photography.

F. A. Q.

  • • Is it possible to use a kit lens for taking real estate photos?

In most cases, the answer is no. If you have a budget DSLR that comes with an 18-55mm lens, keep in mind that this lens is not nearly wide enough for taking photos of interiors. However, you can use it for capturing pictures of exteriors.

  • • What is the crop factor, and why is it so important?

When photographers talk about a “crop factor,” they refer to the size of a camera sensor. For real estate photography, it’s better to use a full-frame camera. If you multiply the crop factor by the focal length of the lens, you can figure out the focal length of a full-frame camera. This way, it will be easier for you to take professional photos.

  • • How much do real estate photographers earn?

If you have just founded your company, keep in mind that it might take you from 1 to 3 years to make your business profitable. The average real estate photography salary is $50,000 annually, however, many professional photographers earn $90,000+ every year.

  • • What are the best brands for real estate photography lenses?

While there are many reliable manufacturers on the market, it’s better to select a lens that fits your camera body perfectly and has a suitable focal length with aperture. If you have some cash laying around, opt for the best lenses for real estate photography released by Sony, Canon, or Nikon since these major brands stand out for the high quality of their products. To save money, buy lenses from the Tamron, Tokina, Sigma, or Rokinon brands.

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