BMW 330i ZHP Photos and Video for Car Dealers


Posted at at 11:12 PM on Monday, June 29, 2009 by Posted by WILLIAM SPURGEON | 0 comments   | Filed under:

My Amazon.com eStore

CAMERAS | WIDE ANGLE LENSES | COMPUTERS | SOFTWARE
MY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OVER THE YEARS

In the last few weeks, I've discovered a wonderful program with Amazon.com called the Associates Program.  The program allows associates to build websites and create inventory listing pages based off of Amazon.com's items for sale.

Now, it has taken me YEARS to learn what I have with regard to real estate photography.  Along the way, I've spent a lot of money, done countless hours of research, and even more in practice.  If you are a Realtor looking to take his or her business to the next level or considering adding real estate as an area of practice in your photography business, you may now benefit from my experience.  With a bit of luck, you can avoid the mistakes that I have made and make more money than you spend! 

As for equipment... I will start out with computers.  I firmly believe there is no better platform for a designer or photographer as an Apple Computer.  Apple's iLife suite which comes standard with every Mac blows any Microsoft photo software out of the water unless you spend $600 to purchase Adobe Photoshop.  But by then, you might as well have bought Photoshop for your Mac! For most beginners, iLife's iPhoto software is more than sufficient to get started.  In addition, you'll be buying a computer that just simply works.  The interface is excellent as well as years ahead of MS Vista.  Try it out... you'll be amazed.  If you are into video, iLife offers iMovie, which is an excellent and intuitive program for video editing that comes standard as well. 

Onto cameras:  the least expensive, best bang for your buck under $1000 is the brand new Canon T1i.  It is a 15 megapixel camera and is usually available with a 18-55mm lens for $899.  One of the coolest features of the camera is the 1080i HD movie feature.  If you pair this with an ultra wide angle lens (like the Canon EF-S 10-22mm Lens: $800 appx.), a tripod, and iMovie... you will be able to make stunning, life-like walkthroughs for your clients.   The Nikon D90 ($1250 with 18-105mm kit) is the second best choice at this price point.  The Sigma 12-24mm ($750) is the best wide angle lens, yielding a stunning 122 degree field of vision.  The D90 records HD movies as well, but is limited to 720p.  Currently, I own a D90 and often use the movie feature.  Despite the lower setting, the camera does an amazing job.  By the time the movies are posted online, most people will not be able to tell the difference.  Going beyond the "pro-sumer" level to the "pro" level, the best option here for real estate photography and videography is the new Canon D5 Mark II paired with a Canon EF 14mm ultra wide angle lens, yielding a 124 degree field of vision with very little distortion.  Two other complimentary lenses for the Canon 5D Mk2 are the EF 15mm fisheye lens and the EF 16-35mm wide angle zoom lens.  BE CAREFUL... the "pro" level 5D Mk2 is a full-frame camera and can only support full frame lenses (denoted by EF.  Non-full frame lenses are denoted EF-S).  The above mentioned T1i and D90 are not full frame cameras and will therefor require a different set of lenses.

If you are looking into taking the plunge... do not be afraid to buy the less expensive camera to begin with and purchase the pro-level camera later on.  Personally speaking, I was able to sell my first set up within one week on craigslist.com and recover a great deal of the money invested when I purchased the camera and wide angle lens at retail.  Should you choose to purchase used, do your homework first and make sure you can throughly inspect the camera and lens before you purchase - whether it be through photos or in person (in person and dealing locally is the best way) make sure you treat it as if you are buying a used car.  As Warren Buffett says, "only buy that which you know."

CAMERA AND LENSES - THE BEST COMBINATIONS
"Pro-sumer Level" - CANON T1i ($899, kit) with a CANON EF-S 10-22mm ($800)
"Professional Level" - CANON 5d ($2800, body only) with a CANON EF 14mm and 16-35mm ($2000, $1500) 

COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE
Apple iMac 24" - Absolutely amazing all in one desktop that will full-fill the needs of the most demanding consumers and even some professionals.
Apple MacPro with a 30" Apple Cinema Display - Professional level.  It does not get much better than this.
Apple MacBookPro 15" or 17" with a 24" or 30" Apple Display - The best laptop combination out there... period.
Apple iLife Suite (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, etc) - covers the needs of most consumers as it is directly derived from pro-level software.
Apple Aperture 2.0 - Pro-level photo software
Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Need I even say anything?





Posted at at 10:30 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2009 by Posted by WILLIAM SPURGEON | 0 comments   | Filed under: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)