Take Great Real Estate Photos – Essential Equipment

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Essintial camera gear

For anyone looking to take great real estate photos the important thing to focus on would be the gear. It doesn’t have to be extravagant gear to get excellent photos but after deciding on the camera and lens, there is some equipment that is essential to complete the gear.

real estate interiors

Tripod

The following are my recommended Tripods

Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra 3-Way Head Kit

Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra 3-Way Head Kit

The Manfrotto 290 Xtra Aluminum Tripod with 804 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head extends from 16.5″ to a maximum height of 67.5″. It weighs 5.6 lb and can hold up to 8.8 lb of gear. The tripod’s 3-section legs have flip locks to individually change the height of each leg. The locks are tension-adjustable to help maintain a tight lock over the tripod’s lifespan. Four-leg angles allow you to position the tripod in a variety of ways. A rubber grip on one of the legs aids in carrying the tripod and rubber feet keep it stable on slippery surfaces.

The included 804 3-way pan/tilt head features retractable handles, which decreases the overall size when not in use. A built-in spring assists with the tilting motion of the head by compensating for heavier lenses and cameras with off-center loads. A 200LT-PL quick-release plate is included for quickly attaching and removing your camera from the head. Also included with the tripod is a shoulder bag for added comfort and protection during transport.

Product Highlights

  • Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
  • Max Height: 67.5″
  • Min Height: 16.5″
  • Folded Length: 27.8″
  • Leg Sections: 3
  • Weight: 5.6 lb
  • Four Leg Angle Positions
  • RC2 Quick-Release System
  • Pan/Tilt Head with Retractable Handles
  • Shoulder Carrying Bag Included

Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-RD Compact Action Tripod

Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-RD Compact Action Tripod
The red Compact Action Aluminum Tripod from Manfrotto is a five-section camera support that can hold up to 3.3 lb. It extends from 17.3″ to 61″ and weighs 2.6 lb.

The grip head on the tripod has a knob that allows you to select between a photo and video function. When using the video function, the head will keep your camera level on the horizontal plane so that you can achieve smooth pans. When the knob is switched to the photo function your camera will be able to move freely on all axes for maximum control. A carrying bag is included to protect the tripod during transport.

  • The included quick-release plate attaches to most cameras via a 1/4″-20 tripod mount.
  • The ergonomic grip has a scroll-wheel locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the movement of the head.

Product Highlights

  • Load Capacity: 3.3 lb
  • Max Height: 61″
  • Min height: 17.3″
  • Folded Length: 17.8″
  • Leg Sections: 5
  • Weight: 2.6 lb
  • Joystick Head
  • Quick Release Plate
  • Photo/Video Functions
  • Carrying Bag Include

real estate exteriors

Lighting equipment (flash, stand, and modifier)

1st: Flash system (Speedlite and wireless control units)

Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT

Canon-Speedlite-600EX-II-RT
Product Highlights

  • 4 GHz Wireless Radio Transmission
  • Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II
  • Guide Number: 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm
  • Zoom Range: 20-200mm (14mm with Panel)
  • Tilts from -7 to +90°
  • Rotates Left & Right 180°
  • 1-1.5x Improved Continuous Shooting
  • High-Speed, 1st & 2nd Curtain Sync
  • Bounce Adapter & Hard Color Filters
  • Runs on 4 AA Batteries

Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter

Canon-ST-E3-RT-Speedlite-
Product Highlights

  • Facilitates Wireless Transmission
  • 5 Groups or 15 Individual Speedlites
  • Range Up to 98.4′
  • Makes Complex Lighting Setups Simple
  • Compact Design & Reliable Construction
  • Clearly Laid Out Information Panel
  • Buttons With Back Lighting

YONGNUO YN600EX-RT II Wireless Flash Speedlite

YONGNUO-YN600EX-RT-II
Product Highlights

  • E-TTL II, E-TTL Compatible
  • 15 Channels, 5 Groups
  • Range: 328′
  • Frequency: 2405-2475 MHz
  • AF Assist Beam
  • Flash Ratio Control
  • Remote Control from 1/1 to 1/128 Power
  • Runs on Two AA Batteries

YONGNUO YN-E3-RT Wireless Speedlite Transmitter for Canon

Yongnuo-Wireless-Speedlite-Transmitter-for-Canon-YN-E3-RT

Product Highlights

  • E-TTL II, E-TTL Compatible
  • 15 Channels, 5 Groups
  • Range: 328′
  • Frequency: 2405-2475 MHz
  • AF Assist Beam
  • Flash Ratio Control
  • Remote Control from 1/1 to 1/128 Power
  • Runs on Two AA Batteries

real estate interiors - living room

2nd: Mounting stands & adaptors

Neewer 75″/6 Feet/190CM Photography Light Stands

Neewer-75__6-Feet_190CM-Photography-Light-Stands
Product highlights

  • This 6.23 feet light stand is constructed from aluminum alloy, giving it exceptional strength for heavy-duty work
  • Folded height 25.98 inches
  • Maximum height of 74.8 inches
  • Maximum load capacity 13.5 pounds

Anwenk Camera Flash Speedlite Mount Swivel

2Pack-Anwenk-Camera-Flash-Speedlite-Mount-Swivel
Product highlights

  • Widely Compatible – International Standard cold shoe mount compatible. Attaches to Any 1/4″-20 threaded hole. Ideal for a mounting monitor, on-camera lights, microphone shock mounts, flashes, hot shoe accessories.
  • More Secure – This cold shoe adapter has a standard 1/4″-20 unthread hole, plus two M2.5 unthread holes for stronger stabilization by keeping itself in place without moving. Such a new design is much more secure than the previous version of a cold shoe adapter without M2.5 unthreaded holes.
  • Smart Design – With a stop screw on the shoe mount adapter to prevent shoe mount accessories from accidentally sliding forward and keep your accessories sliding Perfectly in the right place.
  • Excellent Craftsmanship – Designed by a Professional DSLR rig designer and shutterbug. Sturdy Aluminum alloy material with enough long-time black anodized treatment for higher durability.
  • Size 9.84″X9.84″(25mmx25mm). Material: Aluminum Alloy. Package includes 1X Cold Shoe Mount,1X1/4″-20 Screw Adapter, 2XM2.5 Screw Adapters,2X Hex Spanner.

real estate exterior

3rd: Light modifiers

LimoStudio 2x 33″ Studio Lighting Umbrellas Translucent White Soft Umbrella

LimoStudio-2x-33_-Studio-Lighting-Umbrellas-Translucent-White-soft-Umbrella.
Product highlights

  • Material: Custom-made photo fabric
  • Works well to diffuse the light from any Flash/Strobe Light and Constant Light | 33
  • Reflect and Spread light stream evenly | Eliminate glare and spots
  • White: produces a neutral color temperature
  • Ideal for Portraits & Object Product Shooting

LimoStudio 2 x 33″ Double Layer Black/Silver Photo Studio Reflector Umbrella

LimoStudio-2-x-33_-Double-Layer-Black_Silver-Photo-Studio-Reflector-Umbrella
Product highlights

  • 2 x 33″ Diameter Photo Studio Reflective Umbrella
  • Custom Made High-Quality Photo Fabric Material
  • Inner Lining: Silver for Evenly Distributed Soft Light, for Contrast and Increased Highlights
  • Outer Lining: Black for Keeping Unwanted Lights from Being Reflected in Your Photo
  • Works Well with Flash/Strobe Lights to Diffuse and Spread Lights Evenly, Eliminate Glares and Spots

Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce OM-ET Flash Diffuser

Sto-Fen-Omni-Bounce-OM-ET-Flash-Diffuser.
Product highlights

  • BEAUTIFUL, VIVID IMAGERY – The Sto-Fen flash diffuser helps reduce red-eye, shadows, reflections, and variable lighting to create gorgeous portraits.
  • SUPERIOR PORTABILITY – Slim and lightweight, this professional light diffuser provides soft bounce lighting for amateurs and professionals. Use it for home shots, while traveling or on the go.
  • QUICK ATTACH/DETACH – The diffuser is designed to attach and detach rapidly with NO Velcro is ever required so you can quickly switch between cameras, image styles, and layouts.
  • PRECISION COMPATIBILITY – Designed specifically for the • Canon 600EX-RT • Yongnuo YN600EXRT.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEED – Made in the USA, Sto-Fen products are created with superior quality materials backed by customer service you can trust. And because every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, purchases are risk-free.

real estate interiors

Light meter

Sekonic L-308S Flashmate Digital Incident, Reflected & Flash Light Meter

Sekonic-L-308S-U-Flashmate-Light-Meter.

Product Highlights

  • Incident Metering for Ambient & Flash
  • 40° Reflected Light Metering
  • Range: 0 to 19.9 EV at ISO 100
  • Flash Range: f/1.4 to f/90.9 at ISO 100
  • Cine Setting: Frame Rates from 8-128 fps
  • Repeat Accuracy: ±0.1 EV or Less
  • Compact Size with LCD Screen
  • PC Sync Terminal & Cordless Flash Option
  • Runs on One AA Battery

Polarizing filter

Tiffen 58MM Circular Polarizer Glass Filter

Tiffen-58MM-Circular-Polarizer.
Product highlights

  • The effect can be seen through the viewfinder and changed by rotating the filter
  • The filter factor varies between 2.3 and 2.8, according to how the filter is rotated and its orientation to the sun
  • Best results with SLR cameras
  • Designed for lenses specifying a 58mm filter thread size
  • Rotating mount

Make sure to select the right thread size for your camera.

B+W 58mm XS-Pro HTC Kaesemann Circular Polarizer

BW-58mm-Circular-Polarizer
Product highlights

  • A new generation of Kaesemann High Transmission Circular Polarizer with 1 – 1.5 f-stop loss. Before up to a 3 stop loss.
  • This filter uses our XS-Pro Digital mount which is especially suited for DSLRs with wide-angle and zoom lenses. It has a front thread for additional accessories.
  • MRC nano has an improved outer (8th) layer over regular MRC. The nanotechnology-based characteristic (lotus effect) produces a better beading effect with water making the cleaning of this filter even simpler and faster than ever before.

Gray card

18% Gray Reference Reflector Grey Card

White-Balance-18-Gray-Reference-Reflector-Grey-Card.
This handy double-sided pop up 18% grey/white card simplifies the complex technical issues surrounding exposure and color correction when working in different lighting conditions. It provides a major benefit when working under pressure at events such as weddings or fashion shows.

Related posts

Best Camera for Real Estate Photography

Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography – Choose the Right one!

 

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11 Comments

  • Hi Amin Hashem,

    Every product review is awesome. One of my friend use tripod for his photography activity. I believe this article will be helpful for him. All photographic equipment are high quality and definitely a good choice for taking real estate photos. I am going to refer it to my other friends also. Thanks for sharing.

  • This is yet a helpful post. To take real estate photos one need the right equipment to do a perfect job. Although still a learner  but im working going for a professional training soon. Have used tripod to take a photo before and I know how easy and helpful it was for me. But I saw in your post that there are still some better tripods with great quality. I want to ask you if you know where one can buy good drones to take photo and videos? 

    Thanks

    • Thanks for the comment, unfortunately, I don’t know much about drones, but I know that Amazon has a great collection.

  • An excellent assortment of suggested camera gear for taking great real estate photos. Based on your experience, I would select what you recommend. I see also that you have added links to your suggested camera and lenses as well. I have several friends here in Dubai that need this article.

    They are promoting real estate in the area, and cannot afford to hire a professional photographer on a regular basis. Since they know I or my team does some of this, they have asked for advice on what they should purchase to do it on their own. I have passed the website on to them.

    Likely they will want to take some courses as well, and we will let them tag along on some of out shoots to give them an idea what is required to get one together. You have helped me out today and also helped my friends. This really will help them get some good real estate shots of their properties. Having the right equipment is just the start, but an important one! Thanks! 

  • I love this article. I want to know if a particular tripod is suitable for all cameras or each camera has its own particular kind of tripod.

    I ask in case if one have more than one camera, for instance, the commercial photographers. Can just one tripod work all types of camera? 

    • Thanks for the comment, the only important factor for the tripod and camera relationship is that the tripod should be able to support the weight of the camera and its associated lens. 

  • Thank you for this great post, this I really find useful and informative at this time that am starting to have a rethink of venturing into photography, Is a light modifiers also the same as a reflector? My uncle sent me a Canon camera already, do you know the best tripod stand that can be compatible? 

    • The light modifiers are something that modifies and softens the light, reflector also do the same by bouncing back the light to your subject.

  • Oh what a lovely image that is; its resolution makes the home look even more exceptional. Real estate does focus on visual images and honestly, who wouldn’t want these products? Not just for Real estate but for production or organization events.My father does Real Estate and I’m sure he would love this. Oh, My friends Nancy and Paty too!

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