Buying used DSLR to take photos for rental

[Josh L.]

I'm looking through Craigslist to buy a used DSLR so that I can take better photos when I list a place for rent. But, I'm not a camera guy so I really don't know what to look for except that I need a DSLR camera in order to get photographs with the whole room and not just a corner of a room.

I won't take enough photographs to justify the expense of buying a new DSLR camera. But, I'm worried about buying a used DSLR camera that will be a lemon. Is there anything I need to know or look out to know if that camera will be a lemon?

I found a used Nikon D40 on Craigslist for $100+, which seems like a good price compared to what other Nikon D40s go for. But, at that price, there seems like there's got to be a catch. And, I'm a camera newbie, so I don't know if I'll catch it.

According to the seller, the camera was lightly used and the body is in good condition. The seller is a graphic designer, and the camera was properly stored. It comes with the kit lens, but the seller warned that the kit lens has difficulty autofocusing in low light. How do I verify if its really in good condition? If the lens has that problem, does it mean its already broken?

The Nikon D40 is an older model and only has 6 megapixels compared to newer DSLR cameras which have double digit megapixels. Will 6 megapixels be enough for real estate photography?

[Walt Payne]

@Josh L. HDR is usually done using software. You take 3-7 pictures at varying exposures. Some capture the light areas, some the dark. The software then merges them together. Some Smartphone software does this for you. Newer (hence more expensive) cameras can do this for you with higher quality. Smartphones can do a quite adequate job for what you want. Not professional photographer quality, but most people would not see the differences online.

I mentioned HDR because you wanted to show interior features while showing the view. This usually involves a big difference in the amount of light between the interior and exterior parts of the picture.

Also, the lens used will effect what you can fit in the picture. And to get this kind of shot right really requires a tripod. In other words, if you don't have or want to get a smartphone, put a listing on Craigslist for an amateur photographer for $50 (to be paid after you accept the pics) and save yourself a lot of hassles. There is more to what you want to do than just buying a camera.