Interior photography - Nikon kit recommendations

[rico]

As part of one of my companies, I'm taking more and more interior photography. At the moment I've got a D70 with the kit lens and a 50mm. Thus I tend to use the kit lens on 18mm but its not ideal.

I think a wider angle lens and an external flash would do me good.

Excuse my ignorance, but any recommendations?

Many thanks

[freddies_dad]

I have the Sigma 10-20mm on a D70. I can get quite distorted at 10mm and is a touch soft fully open - but I understand you'd kind of expect that at the extreme end of a lens - but apart from that, it's really sharp and I highly recommend it.

EDIT: Sorry! Photo deleted 'cos of bandwidth.

Edited by freddies_dad on Monday 5th February 22:05

[gregorio!]

Not that i have a 10-20mm sigma, but i've used one and its on my list. There are a few other options, but after some research, i've decided on the sigma personally.
Have a read here about these:

[trackdemon]

I have the Nikon 12-24DX ED - its superb; highly recommended. Not convinced flash is ideal for interior photography as you'll end up with only certain areas of the room lit - I presume you'd rather have the whole room lit in a uniform fashion?

[GetCarter]

I also have the Sigma 10-20

It is a bit rubbish at 10 unless you have space to stand back (distortion is all pervasive), but sometimes it's the only way to get whole rooms in:



Nikkor will be better at the edges, and probably faster - but more dosh I suggest.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 5th February 14:36

[zumbruk]

trackdemon said:

I have the Nikon 12-24DX ED - its superb; highly recommended. Not convinced flash is ideal for interior photography as you'll end up with only certain areas of the room lit - I presume you'd rather have the whole room lit in a uniform fashion?

Dumb question; isn't that what bounce flash and diffusers are for ... ?

[trackdemon]

zumbruk said:

trackdemon said:

I have the Nikon 12-24DX ED - its superb; highly recommended. Not convinced flash is ideal for interior photography as you'll end up with only certain areas of the room lit - I presume you'd rather have the whole room lit in a uniform fashion?

Dumb question; isn't that what bounce flash and diffusers are for ... ?

Quite, however the OP said 'a flash' not 'several flashguns, bounce brolleys, diffusers etc...'

[rico]

Cheers guys. Have ordered the Sigma 10-20 from Warehouseexpress. Couldn't justify the extra for the Nikkor as I'm no where near skilled enough to even exploit the Sigma! Gave my local Jessops (one of the few not staffed by morons) the chance to price match but they were still £30 over WHE. Comes on Wednesday

Appreciate the advice

Edited by rico on Monday 5th February 16:27

[Andy M]

Consider using a tripod.

[mr noble]

I have the 10-20 and usually only go down to 12mm when using it. Tends to distort too much at 10 or 11.

Also, you'll find that if you shoot square on to a wall or in a room i.e. at 90 degrees to the wall and not pointing the cam up or down, then you won't get and bending like in the room shot at top of this page.

You have to bend down or neel down, but it keeps everything looking "normal"

Greg

[freddies_dad]

mr noble said:

I have the 10-20 and usually only go down to 12mm when using it. Tends to distort too much at 10 or 11.

Also, you'll find that if you shoot square on to a wall or in a room i.e. at 90 degrees to the wall and not pointing the cam up or down, then you won't get and bending like in the room shot at top of this page.

You have to bend down or neel down, but it keeps everything looking "normal"

Greg

I should add that my shot is a "snapshot"... not meant to indicate the quality of the lens! (or the photographer! )

[ae111sr]

I bought the Sigma 10-20 yesterday - traded in my Sigma 12 -24 as I couldn't use neutral grad filters (or polariser) with it and I needed to use them on Saturday evening - DOH.

[chris.mapey]

Also consider an SB800 if you do want to have a go with flash.

You can run it off the camera so highlight one feature in the room...

More details I'm sure over with Mr Rockwell.

Chris

[ROADRUNNER3]

A tripod and greycard (to ensure white balance is correct in tricky mixed lighting situations) are both essential.

www.fluidimages.co.uk

[thinfourth]

sigma 10-20 all the way




just if you are using the standard flash you get a huge shadow off the lense

Edited by thinfourth on Tuesday 6th February 09:26

[rico]

Lens just arrived. Can't complain at warehouseexpress's service at all!

Quick test pic:

[_dobbo_]

Nice kitchen. I really like my 10-20mm and if you acknowledge the distortion at 10mm can be quite extreme, you can be very creative with it.