While it is possible to use your full frame or mirrorless camera to create a virtual tool, we believe that there are easier and more practical tools available for creating virtual tours, namely, 360 cameras and the Matterport system for creating 3D virtual tours.
What Is a Virtual Tour?
Unlike a video, a virtual tour allows prospective property buyers to walk through a space at their leisure. From a desktop computer or a mobile device, a user can step through a property by clicking on different anchor points. They can turn around, they can move forward and backward, and they can do a complete 360 spin from any location on the tour.
How Is a Virtual Tour Different from a Video?
Unlike a video, the user of the virtual tour is in complete control of what they see.
A virtual tour is immersive and interactive. A video simply allows a viewer to watch whatever you put into the presentation.
A video is edited, could have special effects, and could even have music. In fact, some agents have asked us to create videos by recording ourselves as we step through the virtual tour. If your goal is to have more control over what the user sees, you would use a video. If your goal is to simply simulate an in-person walkthrough digitally, then you would use a virtual tour.
If you don’t have access to a 360 camera or if you don’t have the Matterport system, then by all means, you can use your camera coupled with a fish eye lens.
Since the scope of this article is to recommend lenses, we will assume you are using either a full frame or crop sensor camera and have a basic understanding of the process.
Fisheye Lens Recommendations:
- Pentax HD-DA Fish-Eye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED UWA Zoom
- Nikon AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E
- Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye Fixed Lens
- Canon 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye
- Samyang SY75MFT-B 7.5mm f/3.5