Your wide-angle lens is arguably the most important piece of equipment for real estate photography. A great lens on an average camera will outperform an average lens on a great camera. Here's everything you need to know to choose the right one.
Why Wide-Angle Matters
Real estate photography requires capturing entire rooms in single frames. A standard 50mm lens would only show a small portion of most rooms. Wide-angle lenses (typically 14-35mm on full-frame) let you show the full space while standing in a corner.
Focal Length Explained
Understanding focal lengths helps you choose the right lens:
- 14-16mm: Ultra-wide. Great for tight spaces but can distort edges significantly
- 16-20mm: The sweet spot for real estate. Wide enough for most rooms, manageable distortion
- 20-24mm: Moderately wide. Good for larger spaces, minimal distortion
- 24-35mm: Barely wide. Useful for detail shots but too narrow for full room captures
Zoom vs Prime Lenses
Zoom Lenses (Recommended)
A zoom lens like a 16-35mm gives you flexibility to adjust your framing without moving. This is invaluable when you're backed into a corner and need to fine-tune composition.
- Versatility to handle any room size
- One lens covers all your needs
- Faster workflow on-site
Prime Lenses
A prime lens (fixed focal length like 16mm or 24mm) offers potentially sharper images and wider apertures, but you lose flexibility.
- Often sharper corner-to-corner
- Usually smaller and lighter
- Less flexible—you zoom with your feet
Top Lens Recommendations
Budget Tier ($500-$900)
Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD (Sony E)
$899
Exceptional value. Sharp across the frame, fast autofocus, compact size. The go-to budget recommendation for Sony shooters.
- Pros: Sharp, compact, affordable, weather-sealed
- Cons: Narrower range than 16-35mm alternatives
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
$299
Ultra-affordable prime. Great for tight spaces but requires you to commit to a single focal length.
- Pros: Incredibly affordable, compact, sharp
- Cons: No zoom flexibility, some distortion
Mid-Range Tier ($900-$1,500)
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
$1,299
Outstanding optical quality. Ultra-wide 14mm is great for tight bathrooms and small bedrooms.
- Pros: Exceptional sharpness, 14mm ultra-wide, great build
- Cons: Large and heavy, built-in lens hood
Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
$1,199
Great for Canon and Nikon DSLR shooters. Image stabilization is useful for handheld work.
- Pros: Versatile range, VC stabilization, sharp
- Cons: Heavy, bulbous front element
Professional Tier ($1,800-$2,500)
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
$2,198
The gold standard for Sony shooters. Razor sharp corner-to-corner with beautiful rendering.
- Pros: Best-in-class sharpness, fast AF, weather-sealed
- Cons: Expensive, heavier than alternatives
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
$2,099
Canon's professional workhorse. Image stabilization is helpful for video work too.
- Pros: Excellent optics, IS, professional build
- Cons: Premium price
Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
$2,496
Nikon's best wide-angle zoom. Notable for being relatively compact for its class.
- Pros: Compact for f/2.8, filter-friendly, exceptional quality
- Cons: Most expensive option
Key Features to Consider
Corner Sharpness
In real estate, corners matter. Walls, floors, and ceilings all extend to the edges of your frame. Budget lenses often show softness in corners that professional lenses don't.
Distortion Control
All wide-angle lenses have some distortion, but better lenses minimize it. Modern software can correct distortion, but starting with less is better.
Flare Resistance
You'll often be shooting toward windows. Good coatings reduce ghosting and flare from bright light sources.
Build Quality
You'll be using this lens daily. Weather sealing and solid construction matter for professional use.
My Recommendations
- Best Overall: Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM or Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L—worth the investment if you're serious
- Best Value: Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8—90% of the performance at 40% of the price
- Best Budget: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 (APS-C) or Canon RF 16mm f/2.8—get started without breaking the bank
- Best Ultra-Wide: Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN—when you need that extra width
Final Advice
Don't stress too much about having the "perfect" lens. A Tamron 17-28mm in skilled hands will produce better results than a Sony GM in amateur hands. Focus on learning technique first, then upgrade equipment as your business grows.
That said, your wide-angle lens is the one piece of equipment where quality really shows in the final images. If you can stretch your budget, this is where to do it.