Hi,

I have a Canon 500D. I am using the camera for my real estate photos which is mostly for indoor shooting.
I would like to buy a new camera either Nikon D3400 or Nikon D5600.
My main objective is to buy a wide angle lens actually so that I can capture more when indoor.

Would my old Canon 500D serve my need if I buy a wide angle lens to pair with it?
Or it is worth it to go all out and get a new camera?

I just point, align and shoot automatically. I don't have much time usually. It has to be fast as the owners usually don't give me much time.
One gripe that I have with the 500D is the recording. It just can't record much. It only takes about 30 seconds to 1m each video until it ends abruptly.
Other than that, if the performance isn't much better than the newer cameras for my needs (indoor shooting), I will just remain with the Canon 500D and get a wide angle lens and record videos using iPhone 8.

New question.
I fancy Sony A6000 since it is small and lightweight. Very practical.
However, I can't find ultra wide angle lenses for this camera.

Thanks

Price list
Nikon D3400
RM2268 at Harvey Norman
RM1800 body only and RM2150 with lens and bag and memory card at Shashinki.

Nikon D5600
RM3677 with 18-55mm lens at Harvey Norman

Sony A6000
Ranges from RM2000-3000.

Lenses
Tokina 11-16mm lens costs RM1750.
Canon EF-S 10-18mm costs RM1030

This post has been edited by barca96: Jul 11 2018, 12:24 PM

lens, a different body would give u better dynamic range and all that,
but doesn't seem like u need an upgrade?.

I used to own a 500D

1. Current cameras are way better/sharper than the 500D.
Afterall It’s almost a decade old. Autofocus speed on newer cameras would be way faster.

2. As for video recording, that’s due to your card. Get a Sandisk ultra or extreme and that should solve your problem.

I would try getting a new card and see if you can live with it. If you can’t, just get a new camera. The SD card can be used on the new camera as well.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 10 2018, 02:13 PM

Just fyi. Getting the Nikons you mentioned will not solve your problem.

1. will the low light photos be much better with the new cameras or would a new lens do the trick?

2. noted

I just need to take indoor photos which most of the time with not so good light condition. That is all.
That's why I am hesitant on spending over RM3k on a new camera and on top of that a new lens which is another 2k.

If the quality level of the photos won't be much different (especially low light indoor) then I might as well stick with the 500D and buy a wide angle lens.

If low light is a concern, you can get a new camera.
There are faster/brighter lenses. But the ones below Rm2k are not wide angle.

Wide angle lens below Rm2k will not help much with the low light issue too.

Get a new camera. Their low light performance will be much better. Current Nikon camera you mention handle noise way better than older canon cameras as well.

If you are hesitant to invest this much in another camera. You can get a tripod. Increase your exposure time (TV mode). This will solve your low light issue to a certain extend. But you now have a tripod to carry around.

I would recommend flashes too. But they’re not that cheap, and a certain amount of skill is required. Plus you may not want to spend too much effort and time between every real estate shot.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 10 2018, 05:27 PM

Buy cheap tripod, does not need to be robust cause u doing indoor anyway. Set longer exposure like 1/10s or longer, with 2s wait time before shot. See if that makes a difference. Or get p20 pro and set night mode, lol.

U buy new camera but dont do post process is a bit wasted IMO.

This post has been edited by TrialGone: Jul 10 2018, 05:48 PM

Just use the 500D, plenty sufficient. Pair it with lens like EF-S 10-18 and you're good to go.



SD card problem.

It's not about the speed / class, it's the card that you're using.

Some SD cards do have have this problem.

Get a tripod. Low light not an issue when you're on a tripod, just set to long exposure.

Flash are cheap, RM 300 - 400 can get nice Godox unit already. RM 1k+ can get a set with trigger.

The problem with flash is not only skill to shoot but also need to find place to place them, need to bring stand for flash, need to worry about batteries.

I shoot interior so many years also never touch flash, don't see the need unless the scenes are so complex that you have some really dark areas somewhere that need to be lit.

lets say if u get a full frame,
like a 6D or something thats gonna be something like 3-4k with a kit lens.

i'd spend on some decent lenses, nice 14 or 25, anything inbetween.
get a prime lens so u get abit more quality.
for a good prime you're looking at somewhere 900-1500

and if you're keen for legacy, look up which ones can fit the canon mount, and go crazy!
legacy sells something like 200-400 bucks per piece. but no auto focus, and no stabilization,
but i believe your 500d does.

Price wise is cheap when compared to a lens or a body.
But it is still a couple hundred bucks.

I agree, shooting wide angle with flashes is not easy for a beginner and it is very time consuming.
The placement of flash, angle, power, modifier all have to be good else the image would look fake and bad.
So if TS only has a few minutes for several shots, I don't think using Flash is a valid solution.

For SD cards purchased in the last 5 years, speed is very rarely the issue.
And I've experienced brands/cards which are problematic.

However for a SD card released the same time as the 500D... eg a Class 2 or Class 4.
This might be an issue.
Canon 500D has a maximum bit rate of about 45mbps or about 5+MByte/s.
A class 2 or class 4 SD card might not be able to keep up.
I did encounter this many years ago especially for wide angle videos with lots of details/noise.

Ultimately, it seems that TS just wants a solution which is
- Convenient and easy.
- Fast as he has limited time.

Thus, the easiest solution would be to get a current camera which should give him a >2 stop advantage.
Pair that with a Wide angle lens and with the similar effort and time taken... he can get relatively better images albeit at a significant cost.

But if he doesn't mind carrying a tripod around and spending a little more time.
Then that would be a better and more cost effective solution.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 10 2018, 10:04 PM

Sounds like a tripod would serve you best but it would take time to set up.

If you have somewhere to hang or put the camera on a table, maybe one of those smaller tripod things (i.e gorilla pod might work).

This post has been edited by nicknyhk: Jul 10 2018, 10:26 PM

I agree with others... tripod should be the priority here. If the owners pay you to get good photos, they should give you time to set up and get the best shots possible. If they just want quick jobs they can just take photos with their own phones. You should also be arranging furniture, decorations, playing with the lights etc. - this is where your art will shine. And all of this takes more time than setting up a tripod.

A new camera definitely has better ISO performance, but since this is indoors and no action, just do a long exposure shot at ISO 100. You'll get a clean photo. Also, do some exposure bracketing and HDR manually in post. Obviously, your composition is key here, so a wide angle lens would really help a lot.

I'm sure this way you can get much better results compared to 'point, align, and shoot automatically' even with a new RM10K camera and RM5K lens.

Back then we have many other users face those recording issue.

I even made this video to prove that Class 2 is not a problem.



Pretty sure it can keep up as the recording rate is variable, so as long as buffer is there it should not be an issue.

The ones that gave me problem are on the other hand Class 10 cards, from certain brands.

2 stops advantage might seem good but once the lighting condition is bad it won't be any much better.

Tripod is best simply because it's just a matter of exposure time, also one doesn't spend too much time on tripod.

Setup is just 2 minutes at most.

Did you manage to test the actual card write speed?
Both the class 2 and class 10?

Of course this depends on the buffer size and the actual bit rate.

Some companies, especially back then, like to overestimate their write speed and set a higher speed class. While other good brands like Sandisk tend to underestimate their write speed so a class 2 might get 3mbyte/s or faster.

I did not record a footage to show low speed cards causing video to stop but others on YouTube have.


It’s true that cheaper/certain brands of SD cards also tend to fail more frequently. Not due to speed but they just simply don’t work well with canon videos which are generally really big.
But saying Card speed doesn’t matter at all is not true.
It’s even stated in canon’s dslr manual.

Either way, a sandisk ultra card sold today will work and
it is also really cheap compared to 2009/2010. It’s easier to find a class 10 cards compared to a class 2 in shops today.
There is no point trying to skimp just to save a few ringgit and get a class 2/4 today.

As for the tripod.
I agree.
However if you need to take like 10 pics from different angles and you’ve 5 mins. Tripod might not be the best solution, esp if your main role isn’t a photog.
It depends on the limitation.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 11 2018, 10:25 AM

Thanks for your input. By current camera you mean a new camera or using my current camera (Canon 500D)?

Just get the Nikon D3400 and kit lens. (18-55) that includes Nikon's image stabilization (Vibration Reduction, VR).

18mm is wide enough and ISO range is quite good.

Having VR can further reduce hand shake.

“Current” in my reply means a “current/latest” entry level dslr.

In conclusion. There are better/cheaper solution to get good images but all this would require you to do/carry additional stuff.
You can give the tripod a try.

But if you insist on a point and shoot/convenient solution.
Getting a new body will improve your image quality with very little change to your workflow.
It all depends if your 500d images is usable. If it is, then a new body will make the image sharper/less noisy (an improvement). If your 500d takes really awful images that customer cannot accept it, then changing body will not help.

Also the 500D takes awful 20fps fullhd video.
Upgrading would give you a much better frame rate/less choppy. Wireless functionality might be useful for you as well. With that, you can quickly whatsapp the photos etc before reaching home/office to transfer the photos.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 11 2018, 11:46 AM

6d body alone is like 4k already

and a good f2.8 or even f1.4 prime is at least 1.5k+ brand new.

and 500d has no in body stabilization

Thanks for your input.

Nikon D3400 costs RM2268 at Harvey Norman. Rm1800 body only and RM2150 with lens and bag and memory card at Shashinki.
Nikon D5600 costs RM3677 with 18-55mm lens at Harvey Norman.

I actually just want a body and a wide angle lens. All I need the camera for is to take wide angle photos.
I don't really need the camera otherwise.

I fancy Sony A6000 as well as it is small and lightweight. Very practical. Very easy to carry around and I can actually bring it for holidays.

However, I can't find ultra wide angle lenses for this camera.

This post has been edited by barca96: Jul 11 2018, 12:26 PM

Sony sel10-18?

It costs around RM3000. No thank you

Then the chepest would be sony's or sigma's 16mm. Or third party lens (check rokinon/samyang/meike) 12mm, me think?

Not sure what is your role taking pictures. If just to post on property site for sale/rent, smartphones will do just nice with panorama shot and/or tripod. If your role is to advertise nice looking pictures to up sales, investing rm3k may seem trivial since with good pictures you more likely to get more calls.

This post has been edited by TrialGone: Jul 11 2018, 01:42 PM

Hi. Ya that is on my mind too since last week cause I ditched the Canon 500D for videos. I use my phone now as it is much clearer and can last longer.
I searched around for wide angle lenses for iPhone 8 but it seems limited especially in Malaysia.

I am a real estate negotiator. I take the the photos and post them online such as iProperty.

The best I would like to buy the Nikon D5600 (and a Tokina or Sigma 10-18mm wide angle lens) as it has the screen that can be popped up which will come in handy when I am taking shots from a tight angle in the corner. Nikon D3400 would do as well minus the popping out screen.

I would like something more compact too such as Sony A6000 but not sure about the quality though and the wide angle lens costs a bomb! I found cheaper option; Rokinon. Only about RM1000. But the images doesn't look sharp at all. This would be more useful as I can actually bring it with me when on holidays. Is there a huge quality difference with a DSLR?

Or the easiest and cheapest option would be to use my phone + wide angle lens kit. The quality on my iPhone 8 is pretty good. Only downer is that when pairing with a wide angle lens kit (those that they sell at accessory shops) looks really cheap. The edge are blur.

Get a GoPro or something similar.
1. It’s ultra wide angle
2. Small
3. Wireless functionality
4. Can bring it on holidays.
5. Cheaper than mirrorless/dslr

Only issue is that it’s a bit unwieldy and definitely not as sharp as a dslr/mirrorless. But it’s better than an iPhone+ adapter. They’re crap in lowlight though, so make sure to visit during the day and the location has lots of sunlight.

This post has been edited by LegendLee: Jul 11 2018, 02:55 PM

haha ya it is not so good in low lights and I just can't imagine taking tens/hundreds of photos using a GoPro.

I just saw this Sony A6000 + Rokinon Real Estate Photography
This photographer is usingSony A6000 + 12mm Rokinon. It looks good.
Not sure if I can pull it anywhere close to his quality though

If i were u i would study a bit how to do a bit of post processing cause the result would be night and day than just taking in auto. Which is why buying new camera would make sense to take advantage of the higher dynamic range by adjusting exposure/highlights/shadow/colour/clarity in raw. There are free sofware to do all that not just lightroom.

No difference between mirrorless and dslr. Only difference is the lack of mirror box in mirrorless, hence the name. Sensor on both are on par (disregard the brand and tech war).

For your need, if not too nitpick or pixel peeper, kit lens or slightly soft wide lens will do, put on instagram nobody will notice. Really depends on your need and how you value your shot.

Not sure if you’re aware, but that’s a manual focus lens.
You’ll need to be able to nail a sharp focus via manual focus. Your first 100 pics or so will not be that sharp. But after you are used to it, your hit rate will go up.

Eh, my reply was for his case and I should've phrased it better.

One thing we didn't check is his SD card speed.

From my experience those cards from certain brands, they're not cheap but they have problem.

As for the bits in manual, they recommend a certain speed but usually lower speed will do because it goes scene by scene and doesn't record at full maxed out rate all the time.

Last I calculate based on my video and duration, it doesn't take up that much per second................ but than those findings are like some 2010. I also lost the details already.

Correct on the PP part. Whether AUTO, SEMI-AUTO or MANUAL - output is just as it is, post-processing will indeed be helpful.

Semi-Auto is fine, manual waste a lot of time. LOL. I use Aperture Priority for my interior photography work all the time, gets things done faster.

Shoot in bracket mode, with +/- 1 or 2 EV exposure.

Takes up space but then when scenes where exposure varies a lot, those different exposures will be very helpful to make the picture correct.

My photos are always near perfect straight out of camera but camera being camera there is a limitation, PP will still be needed to optimize the images.

Oh about UWA lens - sounds nice, but you'll need to know how to use it too.

Compose it wrongly and the place might seem awkward, could look too empty or just plain distorted.

Are there any cheaper alternative to Lightroom? I think I just need something basic. I don't really have much time to spend touching up 30 photos

The reason why I never learned how to take manual shots is because I keep on having to change the setting and I don't have the luxury of time so I just shot automatic all the way. Some owners will give me the keys to their house and I can take my time but most of the time, the owners are present and they don't really fancy waiting 30mins or so.

Thank you for that advice. I forgot to take into note on that. Automatic focus is important to me since I don't have the luxury of time to fiddle with it.
Another thing that is important is the ability to zoom. If I am not mistaken some UWA lenses have are fixed. That would be a bummer.

You don't seem to need the upgrade. So get a lens. It's an investment, especially if you plan to upgrade to a new Canon camera.

If you have the budget, then you can consider mirrorless camera.

The Sony A6000 has focus peaking/magnifier.
Basically tools to help you achieve a sharp focus.
However, you still need to manually move the focus ring.

The rokinon cannot zoom.
The canon 10-18mm or Tokina 11-16 lens can zoom and has AF.
The canon is cheaper and has more zoom but the tokina will allow a little bit more light though.

depend on your budget.
500d to d3400/d5600 is a worthy upgrade.
you will be please with the noise control even on an entry level nikon.

if your on a budget get the d3400 body and a wide angle lens.
if you can afford it for the d5600 and wide angle lens.
the swivel lcd screen will be very useful for you in small spaces and low angles.

mirrorless lenses as you have found out are generally not cheap.
if want compact try out the d3400, u will notice its surpringly quite small for a DSLR.

i always advice people to try out the cameras before buying though.
just my 2cents.

Rawtherapee or adobe lightroom mobile etc. There are a lot free software to choose from. But from ur description probably dont bother. Ironically i would really suggest u just use mobile phone cause it can take nicer jpeg than dslr, lol if u just want quick shot. Lets just say even with new camera and lens, you wont benefit much (except perceived sharpness and bokehness) unless u use manual and pp. There is a reason why a lot of people unknowingly compare dslr and smartphone and cannot tell the difference because they dont take full advantage of dslr.

This is true. My Zenfone 5 for example, the shots come out so nice that I need not have to PP already, like say scenes with greatly varying exposure.

Only downside is that it's not wide like wide lenses.

well, clearly u know whats what already, sooooooo.
just scout for a good lens deal.

i'd definately go for lens la, i love the challenge!.

just my 2 cents, life is a struggle..

If you can't get good sharp photos with Sony A6000 + Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 then it's no longer gear problem then

A slightly cheaper option would be Sony A5100 + same lens. Exact same picture quality. The advantage is the screen that can be tilted up. Useful for shooting from corners. Actually, for the manual focus Rokinon 12mm, you can get just to infinity focus and most likely everything will be sharp. Wide angle lenses have deep depth of field so autofocus is not really an issue for you.

About the ability to zoom...you mentioned you only post online on property sites. Those photos are not very high res. A6000/A5100 has 24 mp, plenty for you to crop.

Hi I just read that Sony A6000 can be mounted with a 3rd party company lenses such as Tokina 11-16mm.
Will there be any difference in the quality with Sony A6000+Tokina compared to Nikon/Canon + Tokina?
Sony does have a wide angle lens but it costs Rm28000. No way I am going to spend that much money.

This guy did it but it was a video


The price of A6000 and D3400 is about RM2000.
Portability wise A6000 wins.
Lens wise D3400 wins.

But if indeed 3rd party lenses can be used on A6000 without any drastic changes in quality and usability then I think A6000 wins it for me.

This post has been edited by barca96: Jul 15 2018, 12:03 PM

Yes u can with adapter but that just comes back to manual focus only. You can get af with metabones (though I think only works for Canon lens) but that still cost money. So got d3400 if you manage to find cheap wide lens on nikon. Also you might as well get nikon/Canon since their lens are more common and cheaper than Sony overall. Portability wise d3400 is still pretty light.

This post has been edited by TrialGone: Jul 16 2018, 08:22 AM

Hi thank you very much for all the advice. Very kind of you and the others.
I think since I am at beginner level, I will just go with D3400.

Looking for a used one with Nikon warranty.
Miyamondo is the cheapest (new) but the warranty is only with their shop and those with Nikon warranty are over 2k.

Today I read somewhere I believe on Quora where somebody said it is better to get a D5300 as it has more AF.
However the ISO on the D5300 is lower than on D3400.

Which is more important for my use? Higher ISO or AF?

Thanks

Don't know. I'm not nikon user. The difference between those 2 probably minute (except vari angle) that I won't bother too much.

What is your budget? I suggest not to buy from Harvey Norman because usually they are expensive. You can check out YLCamera and KLDSLR too.
If you want the cheapest, I suggest you go with the D3400 (Body only) + Tokina 11-16mm for wide interior shots.
You can get a Samyang 8mm f/3.5 fish-eye too if you want 180 degree shot.

Thanks.
I bought a new D5500 for RM2000 with 18-55mm.
Now waiting to buy Tokina 11-16mm.