What do I need to use this camera for interior photography

[jke11y]

I have a Nikon D5100 that I don't use enough, and I want to use it for taking pictures of finished interiors for work.

Think good estate agent photos and thats what I need to be able to do.

Could anyone advise what lens / flash (a friend said a vertical flash) as I would like to buy the right bits and then get some practice in.

Thanks in advance.

[Andy M]

Tripod, low ISO (pref 100-200 ISO), f11-f13 aperture, 14mm lens, bubble level (to ensure vertical lines stay vertical) and a grey card for accurate white balance.

Scrap the flash unless you can shoot it off camera and know how to balance for natural light.

[toohuge]

Lens wise, there are a few options, from Nikon themselves, 3:

10-20
10-24
12-24

I have no experience of the 10-20 but there are some concerning reviews out there, although it is much cheaper than the others.

I prefer the 12-24 for the constant aperture, but both the 10-24 and 12-24 are mega bucks.

I'd personally recommend the 11-16 Tokina, it's much more affordable and built tougher - whether that's important to you or not I don't know - but I've seen loads of the nikon lenses with broken filter rings.

You may want to experiment with HDR images and try and avoid the flash to begin with. Balancing the interior / exterior light can be difficult and in my experience is rarely achieved with an on camera flash - so more equipment required.

There are plenty of videos / tutorials online for real estate photography - it'll give you a good idea of what is required and how to achieve the results you are looking for.

Chris

[tenohfive]

toohuge said:

I'd personally recommend the 11-16 Tokina, it's much more affordable and built tougher - whether that's important to you or not I don't know - but I've seen loads of the nikon lenses with broken filter rings.

That Tokina is a cracking lens. I've had mine for about 5 years and it's bombproof, and the fixed f2.8 comes in handy more often than I'd expected.

[jke11y]

Great thanks guys, I know I need to learn so will get reading and purchase the Tokina lens. The current lens just isn't any good for shooting rooms.

[eltawater]

If you plan to buy the Tokina second hand, remember to buy the correct version.

The original doesn't have an internal focus motor, the "II" version does and you'll need the "II" version if you wish to auto-focus on your D5100. Not nearly as important on a wide angle lens but still useful to know the difference all the same.

[singlecoil]

Your post -production software will be important too. Consider a monthly subscription of Photoshop CC and learn how to use it.

[justinio]

Andy M said:

Tripod, low ISO (pref 100-200 ISO), f11-f13 aperture, 14mm lens, bubble level (to ensure vertical lines stay vertical) and a grey card for accurate white balance.

Scrap the flash unless you can shoot it off camera and know how to balance for natural light.

^This

singlecoil said:

Your post -production software will be important too. Consider a monthly subscription of Photoshop CC and learn how to use it.

^And this

[SCEtoAUX]

Get the windows behind you.

If you can't get the windows behind you, take some shots with the curtains pulled.

I like to see lights switched on as well.

[Kermit power]

SCEtoAUX said:

Get the windows behind you.

If you can't get the windows behind you, take some shots with the curtains pulled.

I like to see lights switched on as well.

Although if the view is an important part of the room, that's the time to really get good with HDR software!