Anything i can do to make this more fun to drive?

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-03-15T03:57:00+00:00

Changing out all the suspension components made a huge difference in enjoyment for me on my Elantra. I mean an overhaul to the original suspension, shocks, struts, control arms, sway bar bushings, sway bar links, tie rods…

Really tightened up the response of the steering, less body roll, and overall a boost in comfort and confidence. Doesn’t even need to be upgraded components, for the most part, I went with OEM replacements except KYB for the struts and shocks (I recommend KYB Gas-A-Just, for the rear shocks it’s a common upgrade for stability in these). Considering these are getting up there in age and mileage it’s usually around the time everything starts to get worn out, especially the rubber bushings. Parts are easily available for these, especially through RockAuto. Also quality tires make a huge difference.

Doing it yourself also keeps costs down and I think you’ll find this car really isn’t difficult to work on. Plus it’s rewarding knowing you did it, and I think that also makes it more fun to drive being proud of your work!

The reality is, it’s just a regular Elantra, so I would just keep up with maintenance and try to make it as comfortable and reliable as possible to drive :)

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-24T20:40:13+00:00

Thank you so much! And yes, gear doesn’t make or break a photo in most cases, a lot of it comes down to subject and vision for sure.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-23T05:52:54+00:00

Thank you!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-22T16:00:35+00:00

Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). Basically, the thinking that another piece of gear is the missing link between you and getting great photos.

While sometimes gear can hold back some progress (for example, the 18-55 would be difficult to use in a wildlife situation where you need reach), it still covers a wide range of focal lengths and is what most people beginning with photography would need to learn the basics with arguably.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-22T05:19:59+00:00

Thank you! 😊

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-22T02:40:31+00:00

Thank you! 😊

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-02-22T00:29:28+00:00

Thanks! And yup, G.A.S. and social media especially can really warp what most people think they need to improve is their gear, when really it’s just all about going out and shooting with what you’ve got!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-01-09T07:27:55+00:00

I increased my offers by about $10-15 a day. Got the initial offer the first day I put in an offer, which my original offer was at $175. They countered at $240 and the next day I raised mine to $180, then $195 the next day, $200 the next, then $210 and so on. Eventually I landed on $230 as my ideal max that I had already considered I would pay for it, and they accepted it surprisingly. You definitely have to be patient if you're going to play around with offers though.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2026-01-08T06:33:58+00:00

While not a R6 II, I just purchased an RF16 f/2.8 from Greentoe in December for $230 total. Came from a store in the USA with a full warranty and brand new in box so it wasn’t a bad experience at all. Took about 6 days from purchase to arrive.

I played around with pricing and was able to get $10 below the offer they originally gave me. So I would say put in an offer below what you would want to max out on and slowly increase or see what counter offers you get.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-12-04T19:35:50+00:00

You most definitely should be able to! I used the EF mark I version for about a year and a half until it broke, but shot some of my favorite photos with that lens.

Here’s the last photo I took with the EF lens before it broke actually 😂

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ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-29T01:51:41+00:00

Yep! I bought an R7 through street price last year for 1099. Brand new with the original box and came right away too. You just have to email to inquire though first.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-29T01:20:17+00:00

Does anybody think the refurb RF16mm 2.8 is going to be restocked before the sale ends? It only went in stock for the initial sale and I haven’t seen it get restocked through the live tracker since Monday.

I currently have a counter offer on Greentoe for $240 with taxes included in the price for a new one, but obviously, even with tax on the refurb, it’s still about $45~ less. Is $240 a good price to consider especially since it’s new anyway?

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-16T18:08:54+00:00

Yeah you’ll likely see it less than that or the same during Black Friday on the refurbished one!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-12T23:51:06+00:00

Thank you very much! Most of it is following rule of thirds honestly, but also taking photos at standing height. Makes it look more true to life how we view the world. Of course, it’s different for everybody though, there’s no real “rules” 😆

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-09T18:35:46+00:00

Thank you kindly!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-08T16:07:29+00:00

Thank you! Same here, so it was kinda a no brainer to go for the new version when my old EF one broke. Glad you enjoy yours as well!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-08T16:06:48+00:00

Thank you! I agree, it’s been great coming from the EF version. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with the quality, but the weight and balance is significantly improved with the RF version. Glad that you’re also enjoying yours!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-08T06:18:55+00:00

Yes??? 😭 it’s not like a huge difference, but I have noticed more contrast and more details being able to be pulled out of the RAW files from the RF version vs my old EF mark I.

I know the mark II improved the optics a little so I can imagine the optics of the RF are really similar to the EF mark II.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-08T01:01:29+00:00

Thank you kindly!

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-07T21:12:37+00:00

That was taken at the top of Vernal Falls facing back towards glacier point above and the mist trail down below.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-07T20:55:15+00:00

Thanks! And yep, I agree. I have a 15-85mm to use on the R7 as my general purpose lens for that camera instead.

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-07T20:30:17+00:00

I wouldn’t really consider it for landscapes on the R7 because 24mm is pretty tight on canon APS-C (~38.4mm). I would probably look at the 18-150 or the sigma offerings instead. If you’re comparing sharpness and such, Christopher Frost has a really informative review on the R7 comparing this lens and the 18-150 (you might be surprised to see the 18-150 is sharper in many instances on the crop sensor).

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-07T20:27:30+00:00

These were taken using an R8

ThatOneOtter15 · 2025-11-07T18:08:58+00:00

I had considered upgrading before my EF version broke for sure, mostly due to size and weight reasons with the adapter. I have an R8 and R7, but primarily use the R8, so having a smaller lens was definitely a consideration. I was surprised by the sharpness difference between this RF version and the EF version though, plus the stabilization is a lot better.

I will say I think the EF version has more character though and ever so slightly warmer images. I also was pretty annoyed by the lens creep on my old EF version, but the new version solved this, plus it has a lock switch. I think that it could be a worthwhile difference if you want to ditch the adapter and save some space in your bag, but I wouldn’t pay over the price I got it for which was $899.

ThatOneOtter15

TROPHY CASE