I know cropped-sensor cameras aren't ideal these days, but a Nikon D500 with a Tokina 11-16 F 2.8 DX II has been serving me really well. I shoot a lot of sports on the side so having the speed of the D500 and the extra reach from the cropped sensor definitely helps. When shooting real estate, I use the articulating display screen on the D500 in live-view mode, which works fine and doesn't seem to drastically drain the battery. For someone who shoots more than real estate, I would recommend this setup as a low-cost, versatile option.
I'm glad to hear you like that setup but I wouldn't recommend it for pro work. Yes, it does save you money, but a full-frame camera nowadays isn't much more than a cropped sensor camera, and mirrorless cameras will save a lot of time in the onsite REP taskflow. Also the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 DX is a much lower quality lens than what I'd recommend. BTW, I cover gear in-depth, not just what but also why, in my courses at LearnRE.NathanCool.com if you'd like to check those out.
You’ve been my biggest inspiration in wanting to pursue RE photography. Thanks Nathan! I’m in Florida, what do you think about the guys that are shooting brackets and using an editor? Seems to be a lot of that over here. I like your style the best coming from a landscape photographer background it just resonates with me
Thanks! Well, since you like my work that kinda answers the HDR-or-flambient question 🧐 One is clearly higher quality than the other. On the outsourcing: if someone relies on an outsourced editor, then they're essentially a glorified shutter release who can take low quality photos and hope that an editor can compensate for their shortcomings. I have more on that in this video: ruclips.net/video/WUl3kx6Fmmg/видео.htmlsi=chTLUuDICoMJ8Znb
Thank you - very helpful. I picked up a couple of your books recently (Mastering Flambient + Photography for Interiors) and I feel like I'm learning lots.
Thank you for all the information 🙏 I just have one question, Every video I watched in the topic of real estate photography, they said you must have a cpl for real estate and I wanted to buy sigma 14-24 but because it doesn't support cpl I changed my mind to sigma 16-28, I wanted the sigma 14 for the wide end of it and for the build quality, what do you think?! And do you have any video about the topic of editing reflection and glare without using cpl ?!
You're very welcome! You don't need a CPL for real estate photography. I don't use them and, as I discussed in this video, if you shoot, light, and edit correctly, you don't need a CPL. If you're watching videos that say CPLs are required, well, quite honestly, you're watching the wrong channels 🧐
Camera manufacturers release different grade cameras at different times depending on a number of factors, but primarily what they believe will sell best at a given time. The Z6 was initially released in 2018 and Z5 in 2020. Why exactly Nikon chose to release the Z5 two years later is something only they would know for sure, but in the big scheme of things, it's the product, not its release date, that is most important. I have both cameras, and for stills I much prefer the Z5 over the Z6.
So true regarding a circular polarizer. I occasionally use them for landscape photography but if you use flash they aren't necessary in RE photography and while they may reduce a little glare they are detrimental in other areas. Also trying to decide how much polarization to use or when to use it or not use it takes up time on site. Yet so many RE photographers say they never take it off.
Workflow is faster using LrC with PS but some will use Bridge/ACR/PS similar to what you mentioned. Bridge though can be buggy, and straight ACR-PS can be slower for an REP workflow. BTW I cover the workflows in great detail in my courses at LearnRE.NathanCool.com
No. Those two things are completely different. You can't use a drone for TS work inside and the quality won't be the same even for outside. You can buy a Laowa shift lens for less than a drone as well. Still, I don't use and don't recommend a TS lens since there are easier alternatives like shooting wide and down, correcting later in post for interiors. And if you have an exterior that needs a TS then the entire shoot would require a drone anyways, not just for a TS shot, but overall given its space, height, etc.
Great advice! Can you do a similar recap foryour current recommendations for video?
I know cropped-sensor cameras aren't ideal these days, but a Nikon D500 with a Tokina 11-16 F 2.8 DX II has been serving me really well. I shoot a lot of sports on the side so having the speed of the D500 and the extra reach from the cropped sensor definitely helps. When shooting real estate, I use the articulating display screen on the D500 in live-view mode, which works fine and doesn't seem to drastically drain the battery. For someone who shoots more than real estate, I would recommend this setup as a low-cost, versatile option.
I'm glad to hear you like that setup but I wouldn't recommend it for pro work. Yes, it does save you money, but a full-frame camera nowadays isn't much more than a cropped sensor camera, and mirrorless cameras will save a lot of time in the onsite REP taskflow. Also the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 DX is a much lower quality lens than what I'd recommend. BTW, I cover gear in-depth, not just what but also why, in my courses at LearnRE.NathanCool.com if you'd like to check those out.
Very informative and to the point! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
You’ve been my biggest inspiration in wanting to pursue RE photography. Thanks Nathan! I’m in Florida, what do you think about the guys that are shooting brackets and using an editor? Seems to be a lot of that over here. I like your style the best coming from a landscape photographer background it just resonates with me
Thanks! Well, since you like my work that kinda answers the HDR-or-flambient question 🧐 One is clearly higher quality than the other. On the outsourcing: if someone relies on an outsourced editor, then they're essentially a glorified shutter release who can take low quality photos and hope that an editor can compensate for their shortcomings. I have more on that in this video: ruclips.net/video/WUl3kx6Fmmg/видео.htmlsi=chTLUuDICoMJ8Znb
Nathan, do you need an adapter for the Tokina lens on the Z5? What adapter do you use? Thanks
I break that all down in this video: ruclips.net/video/-knY2kEU0Z0/видео.htmlsi=UT8I3GYpChXzc3P7
Thank you - very helpful. I picked up a couple of your books recently (Mastering Flambient + Photography for Interiors) and I feel like I'm learning lots.
Thank you for all the information 🙏 I just have one question, Every video I watched in the topic of real estate photography, they said you must have a cpl for real estate and I wanted to buy sigma 14-24 but because it doesn't support cpl I changed my mind to sigma 16-28, I wanted the sigma 14 for the wide end of it and for the build quality, what do you think?! And do you have any video about the topic of editing reflection and glare without using cpl ?!
You're very welcome! You don't need a CPL for real estate photography. I don't use them and, as I discussed in this video, if you shoot, light, and edit correctly, you don't need a CPL. If you're watching videos that say CPLs are required, well, quite honestly, you're watching the wrong channels 🧐
Why is the z5 newer than the z6?
Camera manufacturers release different grade cameras at different times depending on a number of factors, but primarily what they believe will sell best at a given time. The Z6 was initially released in 2018 and Z5 in 2020. Why exactly Nikon chose to release the Z5 two years later is something only they would know for sure, but in the big scheme of things, it's the product, not its release date, that is most important. I have both cameras, and for stills I much prefer the Z5 over the Z6.
@ thank you Nathan 🙏
Amen
So true regarding a circular polarizer. I occasionally use them for landscape photography but if you use flash they aren't necessary in RE photography and while they may reduce a little glare they are detrimental in other areas. Also trying to decide how much polarization to use or when to use it or not use it takes up time on site. Yet so many RE photographers say they never take it off.
What's the main reason I don't see anyone doing real estate editing through Cameron raw instead of Lightroom? Thank you
Workflow is faster using LrC with PS but some will use Bridge/ACR/PS similar to what you mentioned. Bridge though can be buggy, and straight ACR-PS can be slower for an REP workflow. BTW I cover the workflows in great detail in my courses at LearnRE.NathanCool.com
Also I'd like to add: rather than buying a very expensive tilt shift, get a drone. It's cheaper and much more versatile than a shift lens
No. Those two things are completely different. You can't use a drone for TS work inside and the quality won't be the same even for outside. You can buy a Laowa shift lens for less than a drone as well. Still, I don't use and don't recommend a TS lens since there are easier alternatives like shooting wide and down, correcting later in post for interiors. And if you have an exterior that needs a TS then the entire shoot would require a drone anyways, not just for a TS shot, but overall given its space, height, etc.
No. Good example of the dunning Kruger effect
I learned a new word!! FUTS around...😅
Well, it's actually in the dictionary, although you spelled it wrong 🧐 See www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/futz