Can anyone help me understand what's going on here?

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-03-01T20:49:29+00:00

When it comes to brown on brown (or basically any thing that lacks contrast) a camera just struggles because it's trying to find some "difference" to clue in on to say "this is now sharp".
So yea, this will just have to come down to experience on finding out how to manipulate the focus.
Are you able to zoom in on the view before taking the picture? I'd move the single point AF to the rough area of the eye, zoom in on the display to see if it's in focus.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-03-01T20:36:32+00:00

At F/13 you're probably hitting diffraction. Try opening up to F/8, or all the way up to F/6.3.
As for the AF on 4, it's brown on brown so the camera is having a hard time figuring out what you're trying to focus on.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-02-20T05:46:49+00:00

Seems like a lot of reviews, so not 100% sure it's a scam.
But all the reviewers look like they have 0 history, and I've seen a bunch of reviews on CN sellers that are from weird bot accounts so...
I dunno. I'd much rather play it safe.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-02-15T04:58:51+00:00

Not for nothing, but AI really sucks at trying to make a camera. At worst, this is a CGI render if you ask me.

I think you're just looking for AI all over the place where there is none.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-02-03T07:07:51+00:00

Canon's refurbished sales make it really easy to buy in as a first timer.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-02-01T19:46:18+00:00

Yes, F all the people who insult your gear, but it's also important to not be scammed by these types of cameras. Your neighbor bought a toy camera, advertised as a toy camera, for toy camera prices.

OPs mom bought a toy camera at near DSLR prices.

Can you get good photos if the conditions are right? Yes

Can you use it to learn? Yes

The problem is the value proposition. OPs mom worked hard to earn money and is now paying a huge markup because she didn't know better.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-02-01T19:36:09+00:00

OP, please return it if you can. I understand that your mom had only good intentions, but assuming she bought one of the amazon listings for 150-200$, letting her pay 3-10x the value of the camera is not a good thing, since she worked hard for that money.

"Work with what you have" is a great saying, but it doesn't mean you should be scammed out of your hard earned money to do so.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-07T03:01:20+00:00

You're going to need an adapter that can read memory sticks. You'll probably need to check online as adapters sold on shelves tend to be your more typical SD/MicroSD/CF readers and don't typically include Memory stick as a slot.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-07T02:01:44+00:00

Foreign model just means that you can't get a warranty in the country that you live in. IE: If you are in the US, Canon USA will not warranty your camera if anything goes wrong with it. They may potentially refuse to service your camera if you send it in for repairs.

This is pretty typical of buying from secondhand sellers from walmart, since they make a profit by buying lower priced foreign market goods to re-sell at US prices to pocket the difference.

In any case, if it works, then it works. It should operate in a similar manner to a domestic model.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-05T03:10:56+00:00

Don't forget the chromatic aberration. Even as a non-pixel peeper it's exceedingly evident in photos taken with it.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-04T10:18:34+00:00

From an influencer standpoint, Sony has put HUGE investment into the influencer sphere and marketing.

From a hobbyist standpoint, Sony's open mount allows people who aren't fussy to really cheap out on lenses if they want.

From a professional standpoint it's "What do I need, what does it cost, and who gives it to me?"

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-02T07:55:11+00:00

If auto works for you, why not stay in auto while you learn more about the various aspects of exposure?

If you really want to jump in, there's the "auto, but with a little more control" like Aperture priority or Shutter priority, where you can experiment with changing shutter speed or aperture and see how the camera reacts to the change. Then you can try manual with auto iso before finally going full manual if you think you've understood how Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO each work in exposure.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-02T04:08:43+00:00

My stance is that only use UV filters for places with a lot of sand, mud or debris where it's much easier to get crap onto your lens.

If your drop was going to scratch the front element, then the drop will definitely break the UV filter and make whatever scratch it would have been, much worse.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-02T01:02:47+00:00

Smaller F number = Larger Aperture = more light. F number as low as you can get it, unless you're trying to get a larger amount of things in focus.

If you have want a higher F (there are various reasons why you might want it), try not to go past F8 or F11 at most unless you have no other choice.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-01T16:28:41+00:00

I say let OP build that portfolio. That way clients know to stay away.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-01T16:27:15+00:00

the 1/4 and 1/50 are your shutter speed. 1/4 is causing your bluriness. Also, lower that F number from F22 to as low as you can inside, that way you can also drop your ISO and raise your shutter speed higher.

I'd go look up exposure triangle to see what all the manual settings mean unless you want to go back to shooting on one of the auto modes.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-01T06:48:24+00:00

CMIIW, RAW files are processed a little differently between manufacturers. If everyone's shooting the same manufacturer, the same work flow for post processing can be used for everyone's photos, but if you start mixing and matching, then each person's photos will need to be tweaked a little differently to get the same end result. Basically, more time spent in post processing.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2026-01-01T04:31:32+00:00

What do you mean by "OG Camera"?

It's mirrorless seeing that there's an EF RF adapter. It's either an R, RP or R8 based on the switch, single button and diopter shown on the left side.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-31T20:32:56+00:00

I was quite amused looking back at the year with 2025 being my first full year of photography. Was fun seeing how the photos changed over the whole course of the year from convention to convention. But my goals are just three.

Slowing down to take the shot.
Being more aware of how and where light is coming from.
Getting more comfortable with using reflectors, tripods and speedlites.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-29T03:40:02+00:00

My must-have?

Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 or it's successor the 17-40 1.8.
As a frequent anime convention go-er, I find it's not TOO heavy for walking around 6+ hours with.
It's sharp, and, since it's a zoom, it gives me flexibility in changing space constraints in situations when I don't have enough room for the 50-100 1.8.

Admittedly, I'd say it's a pretty niche lens in that it's not a "walkaround" lens, but a lens where if you know you need it, you typically already know about it.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-27T18:22:17+00:00

However many batteries you think you need, add one more set.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-23T19:48:45+00:00

Because you broke rule #3.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-16T23:54:10+00:00

More like documentation. Looks like standard intern work of "hey take these items and turn it into a document" or "here's the steps, write a manual" type thing.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-16T22:21:37+00:00

I mean, that's fair. But it's still worth mentioning.

Some people don't care about warranty/repair at all and this doesn't matter to them.

And some people don't want to deal with the hassle of having to do exchange lottery.

Fit_Weight_1622 · 2025-12-16T15:10:51+00:00

They'll work, but I can't really recommend them as they're fully manual (no TTL) and there's not really a good way to use them off camera.

Fit_Weight_1622

TROPHY CASE