top of page
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
PRO REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY KIT
Sony A7V
The Sony A7V is my top recommendation for real estate photos paired with the 16-35mm GMii. You can definitely also use this camera as well for video as it shoots 4K 60fps with no crop so it has the potential to be an all in one solution.
Sony A7IV
The Sony a7IV is a great professional option for real estate photography. It is a previous model (so cheaper than a7V) but still very capable for RE photos. Unfortunately, this camera is not really well suited though for RE video so don't look to this if you are looking for an all in one solution.
Sony a7III
If you are just starting out or looking for a more budget friendly option for RE photography than my suggestion would be the a7III. Completely capable for RE photos, even though its an older camera. It's definitely not good for RE video this day and age though so keep that in mind.
Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM II Lens
My current lens for all my real estate photography work. This is the version 2 of the 16-35 GM which is smaller, lighter and has improved optics over its predecessor. It's the best wide angle lens in the Sony lineup!
Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM Lens
This is the original version 1 16-35mm GM lens which I also own and have used for many years. It has come down in price a little bit since the version 2 has come out. Its a fantastic lens so if you are looking to save a few bucks go for this lens instead of the version 2.
Sony 16-35 f/4 Zeiss Lens
If the G Master lens is too rich for your blood, this lens is the next best alternative. If you are looking for the ultimate budget setup, use this lens with the sony a7III. You can purchase an a7iii with this lens for less than just the body of the a7iv or a7v and still have a very good RE photo setup.
Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM
This is my favorite lens for grabbing tight detail shots.
Zeiss Circular Polarizer Filter
I recommend using a circular polarizer filter for all of your interior and exterior real estate photos. For interior photos it reduces reflections coming off of shiny surfaces such as hardwood or tile floors and for exterior photos it makes the sky look more blue. Make sure to get the proper thread size for your particular lens. For instance the 16-35 G Master is an 82 mm thread size and the 16-35 F4 is a 72mm thread size.
Sony NPFZ100 Z-series Rechargeable Battery Pack
These camera batteries for the Sony a7siii, a7iii & a7iv are amazing. I can sometimes get through a whole day of shooting on one battery. I would definitely recommend having at least 2 of these. I personally own 4.
Sony BCQZ1 Z-Series Battery Charger
Battery charger for Sony camera batteries.
a7V SD Cards
I recommend these SD cards if you are using the a7V for both photos and video. They are a bit expensive but you need the speed for shooting 4K video at high frame rates. Purchase 2 of these for the for the dual card slots in these cameras which allows you to shoot to both cards simultaneously giving you peace of mind knowing you have a backup in case one card fails!
a7IV/a7III SD Cards
Memory cards I recommend for the Sony a7IV or a7III for shooting just photos. If you plan on shooting video with the a7IV (which I don't really recommend for RE video) you may want to purchase the faster cards I recommend for the a7V. Purchase 2 of these for the for the dual card slots in these cameras which allows you to shoot to both cards simultaneously giving you peace of mind knowing you have a backup in case one card fails!
Remote for a7V or a7IV
This is the best option for triggering your Sony camera's shutter remotely. This remote is bluetooth which means you do not need to be in sight of the camera in order to trigger it making it ideal for flambient shooting when you need to do flash pops in adjoining rooms. If you are getting a Sony a7iv camera this is the only remote that will work (besides the Sony Creator app) as it doesn't have infrared capabilities.
Remote for A7III
This remote will work with a7III but not a7V or a7IV. Remote to take a photo with your camera without touching it. Use the orange "2s" button to allow your camera to focus before taking the shot. These are cheap and I recommend buying a few because you will lose them from time to time. These are infared remotes meaning you have to be in sight of the camera in order to trigger it. Not as good of an option as the Sony Commander Remote but these are good to have as a backup.
Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs
I recommend these tripod legs for RE photographers because of its long center post which allows you a lot of range to adjust your camera height without having to resort to adjusting the tripod legs which saves you quite a bit of time! Also they are super sturdy and durable.
Benro 3-Way Geared Tripod Head
This tripod head is my recommendation for RE photography. It is a geared head that allows you to level your camera precisely which is essential for RE photography.
16" MacBook Pro M5
I've always been a Mac user but ever since 2021 when Apple released it's silicon chips they have been insanely good! This is the latest and greatest in that line up. If this is too expensive for you, I would consider one of the 14" models or one of the previous M4 chip models.
Godox AD200 Pro Flash
If you want to go the "flambient" route for your RE photography you are going to need a powerful flash. A regular speed light will not have enough power to do larger rooms so this guy provides the extra power you'll need. Also comes in handy for doing professional headshots for your clients as well!
Godox AD200 Pro Battery
The battery life of the AD200 Pro is really good but I always recommend having at least one other backup battery.
Pistol Grip for AD200 Pro
I attach this pistol grip to the bottom of my AD200 Pro and then attach a sling strap to the bottom screw of the grip. Makes it much easier to carry around when you are shooting leaving your hands free and also provides a nice grip to use to aim your flash where you want to fire it.
Sling Strap for Pistol Grip/AD200 Pro
I screw this sling strap into the bottom of the pistol grip handle. This allows me to sling the AD200Pro across my body and carry it around hands free. Very helpful!
Godox AD600 Flash
I've recently added this bad boy to my arsenal. The AD200 is good enough for most jobs but the AD600 has plenty of power for any job you come across. Large rooms with cathedral ceilings for instance are no match for the AD600
Flashpoint Single Pin Flash Trigger
This is the flash trigger that I recommend for firing off your flashes. What's special about it is that it is a "single pin" trigger, meaning it will only communicate a flash firing signal and no other information. There are some known problems with the Godox multi-pin triggers causing white balance issues.
Pelican 1510 Case with TrekPak Inserts
Such an amazing case for your camera gear. Super protective and the TrekPak dividers are a game changer. It's also FAA carry on size so you can take it on an airplane with you
Camera Backpack
This is my current favorite camera backpack that I have in addition to the Pelican case. This bag is also great for flying as it fits under most airplane seats and doesn't even need to go in the overhead compartment. A lot of days I like to keep things light so I use this a lot. Fits everything including my drone.
REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER/BUDGET KIT
Sony a6700 Crop Sensor Camera Body
The current king of the crop sensor cameras! If you put the lack of a full frame sensor aside, this camera actually has more features than the Sony a7IV including the ability to shoot up to 4K 120fps 10 bit video making it a hybrid photo/video powerhouse. You could do everything with this one camera.
Sony a6400 Crop Sensor Camera Body
A capable and affordable camera for those who may be starting out in RE photography or may be on a tighter budget. Not going to serve you very well for shooting RE videos though.
Sigma 10-18mm Lens
My recommendation for a wide angle lens for RE photos and video with these crop sensor bodies. Its a better option than the Sony 10-18mm OSS lens because its f/2.8 (better for video) and lighter and also cheaper! Great value.
Zeiss Circular Polarizer Filter
I recommend using a circular polarizer filter for all of your interior and exterior real estate photos and video. For interior photos it reduces reflections coming off of shiny surfaces such as hardwood or tile floors and for exterior photos it makes the sky look more blue. Make sure to get the proper thread size for your particular lens.
Battery for a6400
Battery for a6400 Camera. Definitely get a few as you'll need 3 or 4 to get through a full day of shooting! These batteries are probably my least favorite thing about the a6400. The a6700 has a much better battery (you can pretty much shoot a whole day just using 1!).
Battery for a6700
These camera batteries are amazing. I can sometimes get through a whole day of shooting on one battery. I would definitely recommend having at least 2 of these. I personally own 5.
Sony BCQZ1 Z-Series Battery Charger
Battery charger for Sony camera batteries.
a6700 Memory Card
You'll need these faster cards for the 6700 if you want to take full advantage of its advanced video recording features.
a6400 Memory Card
Memory cards of choice for a6400.
Remote Shutter Trigger for Sony Cameras
Remote to take a photo with your camera without touching it. Use the orange "2s" button to allow your camera to focus before taking the shot. These are cheap and I recommend buying a few because you will lose them from time to time.
Slik 700DX Pro Tripod Legs
I recommend these tripod legs for RE photographers because of its long center post which allows you a lot of range to adjust your camera height without having to resort to adjusting the tripod legs which saves you quite a bit of time! Also they are super sturdy and durable.
Benro 3-Way Geared Tripod Head
If you don't care about being able to do any video pans or tilts with your tripod then a geared head is a great option. If you go this route you would not need to purchase the leveler either as this head has leveling capability built in. I personally like using the leveler and the video head as it keeps my set up versatile for different kinds of work and this head is sort of a one trick pony but does its job well.
M4 Macbook Air
If you are just starting out and on a tighter budget and can't afford a Macbook Pro, then the M4 Macbook Air is a good choice. It's still a very capable machine for editng photos and videos. Just make sure to get the biggest hard drive you can because you'll need as much space as you can get!
Camera Backpack
This is a rather inexpensive camera backpack but its excellent. I've traveled all over the country with this thing and its held up beautifully. Plenty of room for all your gear and the top compartment is perfect for your drone. Highly recommend!
REP Starter Kit
PRO DRONE KIT FOR REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo
The Mavic 4 Pro is my current top choice for RE Drone work. The 2 additional telephoto cameras are greatly improved over the Mavic 3 Pro and just greater image quality overall. Also, D-Log is now available across all 3 cameras. Extremely good battery life as well. Just a fantastic drone. Fly more combo comes with everything you need except the memory card. Upgrade to creator combo if you want the fancy remote which is nice but definitely not necessary!
Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo
Mavic 3 Pro is still an excellent drone if you want to save a little money over the Mavic 4 Pro. Its still completely suitable and capable, its just not the latest and greatest as far as features and image quality.
Air 3S Fly More Combo
The DJI Air 3S is the drone I would recommend if you are more on a budget. It has a smaller sensor than the other 2 but still a great drone and absolutely capable of producing professional results. Unlike the others, this combo comes with an ND filter set as well ($100 value) so no need to purchase one separately!
Drone Memory Card
Memory card for drones.
Mavic 4 Pro ND Filters
I highly recommend picking specifically the DJI brand ND filter set for whatever drone you purchase. They are essential for shooting video with drones.
Mavic 3 Pro ND Filters
I highly recommend picking specifically the DJI brand ND filter set for whatever drone you purchase. They are essential for shooting video with drones.
Pro Drone Kit
STARTER/BUDGET DRONE KIT FOR REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo
My number one budget option drone would be this DJI Mini 5 Pro. Its been upgraded to a 1" sensor now so the mini series is getting really good in the image quality department. Downsides are no multiple cameras and also gets blown around easily in the wind. This combo also comes with ND filters so no need to purchase separately!
SanDisk 128GB Micro SDXC Memory Card
Memory card for drone.
Starter Drone Kit
PRO REAL ESTATE VIDEO KIT
Sony FX3
The FX3 is my RE video camera of choice. When shooting S-Log 3 footage, you have dual native ISO's of 640 and a whopping 12,800. This is one of the main reasons this camera is a powerhouse. It allows incredible versatility with what apertures you can shoot at and also low light capabilities. Amazing camera!
Sony a7SIII
The Sony a7sIII has the same video capabilities as the FX3 for the most part. Same sensor etc. It has a viewfinder though. It has an only 12MP sensor however you can absolutely use this camera for photos as well I have done so extensively with no issues so if you want a great hybrid 1 camera solution for both photos and videos this is a great option!
Sony ZV-E1
If you are on more of budget and still want a lot of the same video capabilities of the FX3 and a7SIII then this is for you. Its basically a very stripped down version of those 2 cameras although it has the same sensor etc. Only issue is that it suffers from overheating so I suggest getting the fan for it which solves that problem.
Fan for ZV-E1
As mentioned, the Sony ZV-E1 suffers from overheating. This fan is essential if you want to shoot with that camera as it solves any overheating issues. With this fan, you should have no issues.
Laowa 12mm Lens
This is the main wide angle lens I've been using for my real estate videos. I will get all my wide shots with this lens and then get some tight detail shots with the 50mm lens. I love the 12mm, it makes your shots look epic! What is specifically great about this lens is that it has very low distortion for such a wide angle lens. It is fully manual though so its manual f/stops and no auto focus!
Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM
I use this 50mm in combo with Lawoa 12mm to get all my tighter detail shots. Its definitely essential to mix these shots with the wide shots to achieve a good balanced video.
DJI RS4 Pro Gimbal
The RS4 Pro is my gimbal of choice. Its extremely capable and a joy to use. A gimbal is an essential piece of gear to get the smooth shots required for real estate videos.
Small Rig Handles
These are totally optional but I absolutely love having an extra handle for stability and guiding my shots with the gimbal. I actually only use the left hand handle and hold the main gimbal handle with my right hand. Thats my favorite setup.
DJI Mic 2
A good mic system is essential for RE videographers for capturing agents speaking on camera. Yes, I realize there is the new DJI Mic 3 but you cannot use lav mics with the new version (stupid). Lav mics provide better audio and also just look more professional than clipping one of the units on someones shirt. I refuse to do that so the Mic 2 for me is the way to go. Its a great mic system perfectly suited for what we do.
DJI Lav Mic
These are the lav mics that I use with the DJI Mic 2. I have 2, 1 for each mic transmitter. Always good to be prepared to have more than 1 person on camera.
Camera Batteries for Fx3, A7SIII or ZV-E1
These batteries work with all of the cameras in this section. You definitely want a few of these to make it through a day of shooting.
Sony BCQZ1 Z-Series Battery Charger
Battery charger for Sony camera batteries.
SanDisk Memory Cards
These are the memory cards that I recommend for all of the cameras in this section. They are expensive but you need fast cards to take full advantage of all of the recording modes that these cameras offer. Buy 2 of these, 1 for each card slot for backup recording!
16" Macbook Pro M5 Pro
This is my computer of choice for editing RE videos. I prefer the portability of a laptop, some of you may prefer a desktop. This computer can handle it all though I assure you! Fantastic machine.
Pro Video Kit
STARTER/BUDGET REAL ESTATE VIDEO KIT
Sony FX30
The Sony FX30 is the FX3's little brother. Crop sensor instead of full frame but still has great features. Dual native ISO of 800 and 2500 when shooting S-Log3. Its not the 12,800 you get with the FX3 but its workable. Not a bad little camera for almost half the cost!
Sony a6700
The Sony a6700 has pretty much the same video capabilities as the fx30 but with a bit of a cheaper price tag. Although not officially listed as a feature, it is know to have the same dual iso behavior as the fx30 when shooting S-Log3. This camera is a better hybrid option but does not have a cooling fan like the fx30 and only has 1 card slot so no backup recording keeping your jobs safe. I think the fx30 is worth the extra money but if you are on a shoestring budget, this camera will definitely get the job done!
Sigma 10-18mm Lens
This lens would be my lens of choice for wide angle shots with these camera bodies.
Sigma 18-50mm Lens
Perfect tighter lens for those detail shots! Especially for video, its very advisable to have some sort of tighter lens for detail shots to compliment your wide shots and this lens goes perfectly with the 10-18mm wide angle lens.
Memory Card for FX30 and a6700
I recommend these memory cards for video shooting on these cameras. Keep in mind, the FX30 has dual card slots so I would buy 2 for that camera. The a6700 only requires 1 card.
Battery for FX30 and a6700
You definitely want to have a few of these batteries in your bag at all times to make it through the day. I recommend at least 4.
Sony Battery Charger
Battery charger for Sony camera batteries.
DJI RS4 Gimbal
A smaller version of the full size RS4 Pro gimbal made for smaller payloads. A good compliment to these camera bodies and the 10-18 lens. A must have to get those smooth shots for your real estate videos!
DJI Mic 2
A good mic system is essential for RE videographers for capturing agents speaking on camera. Yes, I realize there is the new DJI Mic 3 but you cannot use lav mics with the new version (stupid). Lav mics provide better audio and also just look more professional than clipping one of the units on someones shirt. I refuse to do that so the Mic 2 for me is the way to go. Its a great mic system perfectly suited for what we do.
DJI Lav Mic
These are the lav mics that I use with the DJI Mic 2. I have 2, 1 for each mic transmitter. Always good to be prepared to have more than 1 person on camera.
M5 Macbook Pro 14"
If you are going to be editing videos you need a fast machine. I do all my work on a MacBook Pro and its great. You can save some money by getting one of these 14" models but if you have the money I suggest springing for a 16". The extra screen space is welcome for video editing for sure!
Starter Video Kit
VIRTUAL TOURS
Matterport Pro 2 3D Camera
This camera is made by Matterport specifically for creating Matterport virtual tours so if you want the best quality and best experience for creating Matterport tours than this is your camera! This is what I use for my Matterport scans.
Ricoh Theta Z1 360 Camera
The Theta Z1 is, I think, the best balance of quality and value. It is also more versatile because it is not specific to Matterport like the Matterport Pro 2 camera is. You can use this to create Zillow 3D tours and other things as well. It's biggest downside is battery life which is why I recommend getting a USB power brick as well.
Slik Pro 700DX Tripod
This is the same tripod that I recommend for the photography kits. You can also use this to support your 360 camera of choice for doing virtual tours.
Tripod Extension Screw for Theta Z1
This little adapter will allow you to raise the Ricoh Theta Z1 above the tripod head or whatever support system you are using and allow you to access the port on the bottom to plug in a USB power brick into it. The Theta Z1 does not have the best battery life so if you have a large house to do or are doing multiple houses in one day then you will definitely be needing additional power!
Anker USB Power Bank
I recommend using this power bank for longer shoots when using the Theta Z1.
Virtual Tours
bottom of page