Realestate photography lens

[Markj]

I've been asked by a friend to do some pictures of the homes he builds for his web site and sales. I've never done this kind of photography and was wondering which wide angle lens would be recommended for the interior shots. I don't currently own anything lower than my 17-85mm IS. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[OsmosisStudios]

Im going to assume you're on a crop-sensor camera (7D or below). In this case, you have 2 options. A 10-20 will give you a superwide view, but may exaggerate the perspective too much. Canon do make a 17 TS-E lens, and its wonderful and will help with keeping straight line straight. They're... pricy though.

[Markj]

Sorry, i guess my gear info would have helped. I shoot with a 40D. Thanks for the info, too. I'm not sure i want to spend a whole lot since i really don't know how much i'll use it.

[autofocus]

We will use a Tokina 11-16, F/2.8 for some of our real estate shots. Good sharp, tough lens, but as noted above you will have some distortion shooting this wide. It'll get you wider than your current 17-85 (I also have the 17-85, and it's often not wide enough for interiors)

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus ATX116PRODXN B&H

[dlambert]

Re: distortion for both of the above lenses -- is this distortion that Lightroom has a ghost of a chance of compensating for w/ lens profiles?

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by dlambert

Re: distortion for both of the above lenses -- is this distortion that Lightroom has a ghost of a chance of compensating for w/ lens profiles?

I couldn't tell you about Lightroom David, as I don't have it, but I will fix some distortion issues (if needed) in photoshop using the options available in the Transform Tool.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by dlambert

Re: distortion for both of the above lenses -- is this distortion that Lightroom has a ghost of a chance of compensating for w/ lens profiles?

While autofocus has answered you in regard to barrle/pincushion distortion, I was referring more to perspective: super wide lenses like the ones mentioned really stretch things out and, while good for tight indoor spaces, theyre not for everyone and may not be suitable for the job at hand.

[autofocus]

Here's a before and after shot using the Tokina at 11mm. I was able to cut the distortion down a bit by: Select All>Edit>Transform>Skew. Yes, you lose a little of the ceiling, but who cares about most ceilings in a room


DPS by vmontalbano, on Flickr

[sk66]

I use the lens distortion filter. Yes, LR and PS both use the same lens data to auto correct and do a very decent job of it, but I seldom only use the auto settings.
In CS4 it's under filter>distort>lens distortion
In CS5 it's under filter>lens correction

[dlambert]

That's a pretty decent transformation - thanks for the example.