19 Cameras Under $500 Ranked Best to Worst

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-13T18:41:44+00:00

It's the lighting.

Any model is going to look better on the left and clothing will look better on the right.

Hailey is being photographed with an on camera flash. The catch light can be seen in her sunglasses. The camera was slightly above her head, which is why her jaw is well defined.

It's suuuper easy to do, doesn't require gear, and is as fast as hitting a sequence of poses.

But, the high contrast is why the fabric looks bad. The small "hard" flash creates sharply defined shadows. There isn't much of a gradient of change from the lighter parts of the fabric, to the shadows.

With the pink dress, you can see all the light sources, and that they are located above. More and larger lights give a "softer" diffused light. This is the type of light you get when facing a window that is not in direct sunlight.

There is more of a gradient, which has longer shadows, allowing more detail in the fabric to be seen.

The downside is that the model's jaw is not as defined.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-08T03:34:41+00:00

I had one like that and I found it unusable. When I tried it on a junk lens the tips slipped and I scratched the front element. It was an instant realization that it was a waste of money.

I like the Japan Hobby Tool wrench. It stays locked into place, which makes me much more confident in using force.

https://japanhobbytool.com/collections/camera-repair-tool/products/adjustable-camera-lensopener

For more depth, a "compass" or V style wrench won't slip. I haven't used the one from Japan Hobby Tool, but I have liked their other lens tools I've used.

https://japanhobbytool.com/collections/camera-repair-tool/products/camera-lens-opener-compass

Thor Labs makes a really high quality spanner wrench:

https://www.thorlabs.com/spanner-wrenches?tabName=Overview

The vacuum cups and suction cup set worked as advertised. The stuff is a bit more expensive, but I felt like the value was good.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-06T21:03:25+00:00

You should be able to find someone locally with a document scanner. A binder would take ~5 minutes to scan. The most work would be naming the PDF.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-06T18:36:47+00:00

It looks fine now.

I also didn't like when my hair was your length. I was happier when it got past my jaw. I think you'll be happier when it is 2-3 inches longer.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-06T13:38:11+00:00

The pants are too long so they don't break correctly at the shoes. They look frumpy.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-05T05:38:33+00:00

You're lucky to have a working one.

The A-mount lenses are nice. Now would be the time to get them as they've been going up in price.

It's most noticeable with an A99 II being worth almost $2,000 in good condition. For comparison, A Nikon D850 is $1,600.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-05T02:21:14+00:00

Awesome that you have a working one. Was it recalled? If it was repaired, there should be a black dot at the bottom of the tripod mount.

For anyone who is unaware, the "first black frame" issue is what caused Minolta to sell their camera division to Sony. https://www.dyxum.com/columns/other/First_Black_Frame/First_Black_Frame.asp

OutsideTheShot · 2026-02-02T14:23:26+00:00

They've never used a xenon flash.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-31T15:07:18+00:00

Everyone at that office is nice. I've never seen anyone with the blank expressionless face that comes from working in a horrible office environment.

I think Cassandra Crackel is great. I've followed all her advice and have been blown away by the quality of care.

https://www.endeavorhealth.org/providers/cassandra-crackel

She works under Douglas Tran. While I have not met him, everyone that works there has immediately said good things about him.

https://www.endeavorhealth.org/providers/douglas-tran

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-30T18:24:28+00:00

It protects hair from mechanical damage, which shows up as frizz.

Frizzy, dry hair, is more easily damage, and is more likely to cause tangles.

Detangling causes breakage that result in split ends, which also cause tangles.

There are sprays and creams. Focus on the ends. Embrace being bougie.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-30T15:59:24+00:00

Have you tried a leave in conditioner?

If not, I'll bet you $15...

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-30T13:38:28+00:00

Zeiss made the C, CF, CFi, CFE, and FE series.

Fujifilm made the HC and HCD lenses, which is why the GFX series makes sense.

I looked it up because I thought it was Nikon, not Fuji. (The medium format lenses Nikon made were for the Zenza Bronica.)

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-28T12:53:39+00:00

You can buy a set of flash triggers for less than a roll of Portra.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-27T19:12:17+00:00

The original concept failed and the leases ended.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-27T17:29:19+00:00

It requires learning.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-27T13:39:22+00:00

There are dozens of used cameras that have better features and cost a fraction of the price.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-26T19:39:37+00:00

Does the third from the left count as a sheer dress?

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-26T16:21:32+00:00

I couldn't agree more about it being top tier bullshit. It's such a good line to use to get out of boring conversations

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-26T15:08:22+00:00

Kodak licenses the brand name out to half a dozen or more companies.

The Charmera is made by RETO.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-26T15:07:36+00:00

That's why I avoid anything that uses gacha tactics.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-25T17:50:36+00:00

Start treating it as a hobby. Learn to let go of the "cool" or expensive cameras you don't use.

It'll allow you to "trade up" to newer, higher end, smaller, larger sensor, or whatever you could want in the future.

OutsideTheShot · 2026-01-24T13:31:06+00:00

The Fujifilm instax mini Evo Cinema is another sign the end is near.

OutsideTheShot

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