EVERY real estate agent, appraiser, inspector, investor, parent, hobbyist, etc. needs to have a digital camera. It is just a tool that everyone needs to employ. 
And don't cheese out and get something that barely does the job...
For real estate agents, not only do we need to have the tool, but we need to USE it, and use it well. The number of pixels of the camera aren't as important for our purposes as a few other things, though. So, let's look over a few things that we need to pay attention to as we look at a digital camera...
- Wide Angle Lens - Yep, everyone has heard this. There are a few cameras that stand out because of their impressive wide angles, but they change over time, and as soon as I post a camera model, it will be discontinued... But, you want to have something that is WIDER than 28mm (35mm film equivalent)... or something to which you can attach a wide angle lens or converter.
- Off Camera Flash Capability - Here is where I just tripped up almost everyone... But here is the simple fact, off camera flash is WAY more flexible and gives much better light when you HAVE to use a flash than any on camera flash.
- Slow Shutter Speed Capability - And there are times when you can't use a flash, or a flash doesn't yield the best image. So, being able to go down to 30 seconds or possibly even more, is important.
And then there are a few accessories that make it all worthwhile...
- Tripod - You aren't handholding a camera for any exposure longer than about 1/30 second... 1/60 in most cases. If you are REALLY good, you can get down to 1/15... but don't count on it. So, having a decent tripod is important. It also has to be convenient to use, so don't try to get too cheap here.
- Off Camera Flash - If you have the capability, then you need to unit. I use a Vivitar 285. It is about 15 years old. It is WAY powerful and I used it with my film stuff. Flexible, but also quite simple. If you need a cable, get that, too.
- Wide Angle Lens or Converter - Unless your camera has it built in, you will need something to go wider. Again, don't get junky glass...
- GOOD cases - You have to have the stuff with you. If it isn't there, the pictures are kind of lacking.
I am currently shooting with a Nikon P5100. They aren't making them anymore. It is a compact camera, but shoots fully manual, as well as automatic and semi-automatic. It also has a "hot-shoe" for an external flash... and there is a Nikon Converter for the lens that gives me about a 25mm wide angle (35mm film equivalent). As mentioned, I use a Vivitar 285 Flash for off camera work. The picture above is with the built in flash. The lower picture is bouncing the flash off the ceiling. It looks more like the natural light.
I will be talking about a few of the tools for these tools in a future post. But there is something I want you to carry away from this.
You need to shoot good pictures for listings, or you need to hire someone to do it for you. Every shot doesn't need to be a work of art, but I see WAY too many shots that look like they were done with a low quality cell phone. Better photography yield a better result for the listing... and for YOU.
And don't think it is just the listings. You should be shooting pictures at local events, businesses, and everything else you can think of to put on your blog.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
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If your listing doesn't have good pics, you'd better make it REALLY cheap. REALLY, REALLY cheap. 