Could this camera become an agent’s favourite?
Well, the HTC RE (likely to cost around £150-£170 when it launches in the UK, thought to be next month) doesn’t look like a camera.
It looks more like a four-inch tall periscope and, fittingly, can indeed take pictures underwater.
That is not a feature likely to appeal to estate agents, and agents may in any case be wedded to their smartphones and all that they can do.
However, the RE camera has great gadget appeal (for the blokes) and is handbag sized (for those of us who aren’t men).
More importantly, it also has a 146-degree wide-angle lens, making it perfect for interior shots as there’s no fish-eye effect.
It also has a built-in grip sensor – so, as soon as you hold it, the camera is activated and ready to start snapping.
Another clever bit – press and hold the ‘snap’ button and it records a video. Plus it will instantly beam images to cloud storage.
Oh, and by the way, it takes selfies effortlessly.
It’s not being marketed directly to agents, by the way, but are they missing a trick?
If they send us one, we will put it up as a prize for Eye readers. Hint, hint.
Comments (13)
More of a gimmick than a professional bit of kit, the quality of the pictures will not be anywhere near the quality a "professional" agent would be happy with. Anybody who even think this is "a must have" should leave the industry now, perfect for on liners or bedroom agents.
O come on……If we're talking about a top end house or apartment, then of course you would get it professionally photographed / video. But for a 1 bed ex council flat on your local estate-you know the ones choc full of the owners "items". If you took your "professional" kit out to those sort of places what use would it be ….really? Telling me I should leave the industry for suggesting a camera like this would work is ridiculous….when did you test it? , as I certainly won't get one if it's as bad as you suggest…..but surely you 've tested it before making comments like this?? h
I do not need to test it, if you sat in my living room and told me you are taking pictures with a smart phone no matter what my property was I would show you the door. After your staff the next most important thing to an agent is their pictures and you should spare no expense (within reason) if you do not own a DSLR , tripod, wide angle lens and know how to use it without "auto" I suggest you go out today and put that right. If you say you have/do this you would not entertain this gimmick, the light balances will be all wrong the glass will be cheap and far too much noise on the pictures.
Since when have agents fancied themselves as budding David Baileys? Get real. Get the pic on modern kit and if you need to, improve them via photofixr. Stick your tripod somewhere else.
I am really glad this post has come out as it shows the true agents from the people playing at it. It's not about being a David Bailey as you put it. It's about taking pride in your work and if you have forgotten part of your job as an estate agent is a marketer. If you need to spend some time with the vendor and advising them on how to present their property for pictures you should! You should then do a professional job taking the pictures. How else do you justify you fee compared to an online lister such as eemove, easy let, purple bricks etc when people come on here and put down traditional agents you are the people dragging us down, we should look to offer the very best service not what will do!
I can remember many pre 7am photo shoots for houses and bungalows that faced north onto the road, all taken with a rotating polarising filter to maximise the blue in the sky. So to answer your question since when; in my case 1986. To explain why; it meant solid 2 % sole agency instructions over the likes of Fox and Sons' and Gribble Booth and Taylor’s 1.5% simply because my window was fully loaded with properties displayed quite literally in their best light. I still get in trouble for being able to take better photographs of property than I can of people.
I have to admit, we use photofixr all the time for the bread and butter stuff. Smile….you are a bit of a photo snob. Surely it has to be horses for courses on this one….Really if you tried to sit down with some of the owners we deal with and discuss how they should "present" their property better they often wouldn't have enough storage to clear up , and are probably not inclined to clear up anyhow….more than likely show you the door and go with the agent with that flash instamatic periscope kit!! Also….do you go to that much camera kit trouble to take some pics of a poor condition probate, repo or ex rental ???
I do not feel i am a photo snob, but i do feel i offer the very best advice to a potential vendor on how to market their property and help achieve the very best price. Myself and my staff always advise clients how to stage their property, any little jobs worth doing to help market the property in the very best light. It is then down to them if they choose to accept this advice or ignore it (we do not insist they do it) A helpful line i use is "You are moving so why wait until moving day to sort through what you want to get rid of? why not do it now and clear some space?". This is why after all they have called us in as they want to get the best price, otherwise they may as well list it themselves. And yes we go to the trouble of taking of taking all that kit (A camera and tripod) to every instruction as i believe all property should be shown in the best possible light to 1. Help them get the best price, and 2. Show to the local vendors how professional we are. And if we do get a rented property where the rooms are a tip and the tenant will not tidy we will not show internal pictures.
Smile…..I take it all back…..I got my camera/video dept to check it out and they said this kit was "useless" for property photography……hasn't even got a flash in its spec – would you believe!!. Also you are right in your professional approach each time we should all remember that…..even if the property is well below par…..Coincidently I have just won an instruction from Tepilo (Beenys' online outfit) the photos were so shocking you wouldn't believe….I only wish I could upload them under my comment as no words could describe how bad they are. And the vendor has paid "extra" for photos. The outside is out of focus, stretched, dark, 2 vehicles and a van on the front…..I haven't the words to describe the internals. I am in the process of completing a presenter leaflet of online agent photos compared with ours to highlight the pitfalls to potential vendors of some online agents woeful photos.
Actually whilst we are discussing the importance of property photography I would really appreciate anyones thoughts on our friend easychris' photos. The best in easyproperty photography can be seen by looking at his website and having a quick look under the searches "Manchester" and "Newcastle upon tyne" Marks out of 10?
I like the idea of a comparable leaflet, may have to borrow that! – can you upload the website link so we can see the online agents offering?
This is a "must have" . I'm Not normally one for gimmicks, but imagine you and your staff showing this to a would be vendor – it's sometimes these little things that can give you an edge on any decent competitor.
Great website!
And certainly a compelling camera option for those who market online only (i.e. no glossy brochures).