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Best Overall
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Budget Option
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Manual Focus
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4.7
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4.7
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4.5
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$1,308.71
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$526.95
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$766.00
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A good wide-angle lens is invaluable if you want to do quality architectural photography. These types of lenses allow you to capture high resolutions throughout the photo and give a much better focus for interior corners that often seem blurry in photographs. Although it may not seem like it, there is a difference between indoor photography and outdoor photography.
In this guide, we will help you find the best lens for interior photography so real estate photographers can get exceptional image quality when taking pictures of a home.
Most Important Factors for Interior Photography Lenses
There are many different types of camera lenses available on the market. Some are better suited for portraits, while others are great for capturing landscapes. Some are great for macro shots while others might be better for capturing larger spaces.
Here is a quick look at some of the main lens features to consider when you are out shopping.
Wide-Angle Lens
For beautiful images of building interiors, it is always better to go with a wide-angle lens within the 16 – 35 millimeter range. This focus range will make it much easier to capture great interior photographs even in small rooms but can also be functional for other types of photography such as taking sharp images of building exteriors.
Prime vs Zoom Lens
Photographers then also need to choose between prime lenses and zoom lenses. Both of these can offer different advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at these advantages and disadvantages.
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses are usually superior to zoom lenses in terms of build and photo quality because they have fixed glass. They also offer a wide aperture which is very helpful for adding or reducing the depth of field. Since neither zoom nor aperture is hugely important for interior spaces, it does make this an ideal solution for indoor photography.
These lenses are usually a lot lighter, more compact, and more portable because they don’t require as many features but professional photographers usually need as many as 6 different prime lenses for different photography practices.
Prime lenses also tend to be a lot more when compared to zoom lenses.
Zoom lenses
Zoom lenses feature an adjustable focus and one of these can take the place of several prime lenses. These can be handy for photographers who want a little bit more diversity in terms of what they are taking pictures of. This is because they can be used for a greater variety of photography subjects with just a single lens.
Zoom lenses can be pricey compared to prime lenses and they do come in second in terms of photo quality.
With that said, most modern photography is taken for online use which means being able to see every single pixel in an image isn’t quite as important anymore. Photographers can be just as functional with these as prime lenses.
The Best Lens for Interior Photography
Now that you know a little bit more about the type of lens you need, it is time to start shopping for these amazing lenses. Here is a quick look at some of the best real estate lenses for photography.
1. The Canon EF 16-35mm USM Lens – The Best Zoom Lens
- Good for wide-angle shots
- Ideal for capturing small spaces
- Good performance for corner shots
- The weight is reasonable for the size of the lens
- Produces excellent image quality
- Functional for indoor and landscape shots
- Filter also available
- Not the best performance under bright light
- Can feel a bit bulky to some
If you prefer a zoom lens that can be used for a wider range of photography projects then it is best to go with Canon’s EF 16-35mm USM lens.
This lens is a bit bulky because it has a diameter of 77 mm and the barrel is quite large to accommodate its many functions but it will replace various prime lenses that you would otherwise need in your collection.
The lens has a minimum focus distance of 16mm and a maximum of 35mm, which is great for capturing the aesthetic charm of both large and small interior spaces. The large barrel will also let plenty of light in which can be terrific for getting clearer images even in natural light conditions.
This lens also includes a UV protection filter, also known as a polarized filter, that enhances the photographer’s flexibility since the lens can be used to take landscape shots or great photographs of the building exterior even in harsh sunlight.
Specifications
- Lens Type – Wide Angle Zoom Lens
- Diameter – 77 millimeters
- Min Focal Length – 16 millimeters
- Max Focal Length – 35 millimeters
- Zoom – Adjustable
- Lens – UV lens coatings
2. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm Fixed Zoom Lens – Best Auto Focus Lens
- Produces sharp images
- The lens captures color vibrantly
- The lightweight lens isn't too heavy
- It can capture relatively wide shots
- Great for interior photography
- Also functional for landscapes or group shots
- Affordable price range
- No zoom function
Photographers who prefer prime lenses can consider the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR. This fixed-zoom lens has a 16-35mm range and it comes with an autofocus function which can be terrific for complete beginners or realtors who don’t have a lot of time to spend on precision adjustments.
The prime lens also features an AF motor with full-time manual focusing and 58mm filters should you be in the mood to play with the focal range.
The lens can be very functional in interior spaces or for macro shots like food or product photography. It is also functional for architectural photographers who might want to capture some great exterior shots.
Specifications
- Lens Type – Wide Angle Prime Lens
- Min Focal Length – 16 millimeters
- Max Focal Length – 35 millimeters
- Zoom – Non-adjustable
3. The Samyang 16mm T2.2 VDSLR Manual Focus Lens – Best Manual Focus Photography or Videography Lens
- Affordable price range
- Made from quality materials including the entire metal rear
- Captures sharp images
- Various lenses are available to suit different types of cameras
- Ideal for indoor, landscape, and nighttime shots
- The compact lens is nice and portable
- Some buyers dislike the mount fitting
The Samyang 16mm lens might not offer as many features as the Nikon Prime lens but it can be a wonderful lens for videography. Realtors can use this lens indoors and outdoors to capture great images or videos of homes or buildings.
The lens only has a 16mm focal range, but this is perfect if you are mostly doing indoor shoots or if you want to capture interior decor.
One of the main benefits of this lens is that it comes with different mounts which makes the lens compatible with different types of cameras.
Specifications
- Lens Type – Wide Angle Prime Lens
- Min Focal Length – 16 millimeters
- Max Focal Length – 16 millimeters
- Zoom – Non-adjustable
- Lens – Anti-reflective UMC coating and 13 different elements
Final Thoughts
We are certain that all of these camera lenses will serve you well while you are taking good images and we hope that it helps you find the best lens for interior photography.
If you want to learn more about real estate photography, cameras, wide-angle lenses, and other accessories then we recommend you have a look at some of the other guides we have on CameraGuider. With our guides, you can find all the best and latest camera equipment and photography tips.