The Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography
The best Nikon lenses for real estate photography are going to be their wide angle lenses, plus another lens for detail shots. I personally shoot Nikon and use my Nikon 16-35mm f4 ED VR and Nikon 24-70mm f2.8G ED every day on the job.
I don’t see myself buying a new lens for real estate photography anytime soon. The 16-35 and 24-70 are 2 of Nikon’s premier lenses and I’d recommend them to any Nikon shooting real estate photographer. They’ve been my workhorses for nearly 5 years and have never failed me.
Table of Contents
The Best Nikon Lenses for Real Estate Photography
Best Budget Nikon Lenses
Normally, I would not recommend this lens for real estate photographers. BUT, if you are on a tight budget and want to get started as soon as possible, this lens can get you there.
It’s a kit lens, so it won’t be the sharpest, but it does give you great focal lengths at an extremely cheap price point. You’ll want to upgrade once you have the budget, but this will get you started.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Decent focal lengths
Cons:
- Kit lens quality
- Plastic build
- Not very sharp
Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
The Nikon 10-20mm DX will give you sharp photos at a focal length that’s going to be great for interiors. You can also buy it brand new at a very affordable price.
The only issue that you’ll run into with this lens is getting those tighter shots necessary for details and some exteriors.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Good focal length for interiors
- Good sharpness
Cons:
- No focal length for tighter shots
- Will need to buy another lens eventually to pair with it
Best Overall Nikon Lenses
Nikon 16-35mm f4 ED VR
As stated in the the beginning of this article, this is the lens I use for the bulk of my real estate photography work. It’s wide enough to capture the entire room without creating too much distortion and narrow enough to get tighter shots.
In my opinion, this lens offers you the best value for price and quality. I love this lens and it’s a workhorse for me, so naturally I highly recommend it.
Pros:
- Perfect focal lengths for interiors
- Strong build quality
- Extremely sharp
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED (~$1600)
Possibly Nikon’s best lens period, the 24-70mm f2.8 is an extremely sharp and well made lens. I pair it with my 16-35mm f4 (above) and use it to hand interior detail photos and exteriors.
Although I can use the 16-35mm for 90% of my real estate photography work, sometimes I will need to stretch past 35mm to really capture the shot I’m looking for. That’s where this beauty comes into play.
If you are thinking about expanding into architectural photography or just want to own one of Nikon’s best lenses ever, this lens is for you.
Pros:
- Amazing build quality
- Extremely sharp
- Great focal length for details and exteriors
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Mirrorless Nikon Lenses
Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S (~$1300)
Easily the best Nikon mirrorless lens for real estate photography. The 14-30mm f4 offers excellent focal lengths for interior photos and produces extremely sharp images.
Pros:
- Extremely sharp
- Great focal lengths
- Good build quality
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive
Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (~$400)
You could shell out the big bucks for the mirrorless 24-70mm (and if the $2300 price tag doesn’t scared you off, you definitely should), but if you are just looking for a lens to pair with the 14-30mm f4 (above) this is a great affordable option.
Pros:
- Very Affordable
- Lightweight
- Good lens for travel, hiking, etc. as well
Cons:
- Short zoom length
Recommendations
The Nikon 16-35mm f4 is just such an amazing value for its quality and price that it’s my top recommended lens. It offers the perfect focal length for real estate photography is as super sharp.
If you have a Nikon Z Series (mirrorless) you can still use any Nikon lens by purchasing the Nikon FTZ Mount Adaptor. Although, the Nikon Z 14-30mm is a great lens as well. Those are 2 of the best Nikon lenses for real estate photography.
If your budget is large enough, get your hands on a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8. It’s the perfect complimentary lens for real estate photography and will last you a lifetime. You’ll be happy you bought the best Nikon lenses for real estate photography.
Finally, if you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide which is full of helpful tips and tricks. If you’re interested in reading more about today’s best gear for real estate photography, check out our Gear page as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What focal length is best for real estate photography?
What is the best aperture for real estate photography?
In general, the best aperture for real estate photography is going to be right around f8. F8 is open enough to allow a good amount of light to enter the camera while also being closed enough to keep everything in good focus.
How many megapixels do I need for real estate photography?
24 megapixels is the general consensus for the minimum amount needed for real estate photography. Slightly less is manageable, but most professional cameras will have at least 24 megapixels.