Greetings from Western MA
... I have enjoyed my Sony RX100 III for some time now and it has
never let me down. Till today:
Doing some 'reluctant' spring photography I noticed a 'splotch' in the photos.
My first impression was a bug on the lens but a serious soft cloth cleaning did
nothing to remove it ..
As you know the RX100 series has a 'non-removable' lens ... any Hedgehogs
(ugly or otherwise) have a trick that might help me out ... or do I have to send
it in for refurb?
Thank you for your time.

Just a note:

I almost always use 'optical zoom' only .. the 'clear image' zoom works to about double but depending on your subject
and the distance to it .. the quality comes down (you'd only see it if you crop in a lot in post) ... the digital zoom (in my opinion)
is only so-so .. but .. again depending on your distance to subject and need to "get-the-shot" as opposed to art quality it can be useful
on occasion.
check this one:
http://docs.esupport.sony.com/dvimag/DSCRX100_guide/en/contents/04/02/20/20.html

'IF' your camera is still under warranty (usually a year from the company or more if you purchased some) Sony will
always honor that ... I've got three 'brand' new cameras (due to 'accidents) from them ... but ....
IF the warranty is out they send 'me' to a service shop in Connecticut .. and it is HORRIBLE .. If I were you I'd check
out a 'reputable' repair shop close to home or (these days) on the internet .. 'reputable' is key read reviews, talk to
friends .. I think you are doing the BEST thing by asking here, ... the experienced 'Hogs' have the right answers.

Amazon .. is not a "photography" 'company' ... but ... they are the BEST for almost everything, I've had to get my
money back a couple times and 'no-problem' they offer many of the 'same' types of goods (different brands models etc)
I/we (my wife too) have used them for years without a problem.
One thing (on my account at least) I use 'Pay-Pal' for 'all my online purchases' to get 'double' protection.
Amazon=happy camper

Wow .. thanks to all the BIG hogs that posted photos ... I was baking dinner for my wife and making
homemade bread for the week .... my mind was 'TOTALLY ECLIPSED' 8^)

IMHO .. "walk around lens" .. is NOT a lens that you'd use in a studio (if you had a choice of any lens) .. it isn't a 'first' choice for macro pics,
you probably wouldn't choose it if you a a 'specific' goal ... but then if you are doing any of those things, you aren't 'walking around watching for a shot here or there or anywhere in particular.
For myself I have had problem with Dust and spray and cat hairs getting into my camera and lenses due to constantly needing to change lenses
I use a very good wide zoom ... 18-300 mm (for example) ... unless I'm doing something specific. Because the lens is very good and the camera it is on
is 'very good' .. I can take really amazing photos of almost anything almost anywhere. So IMHO a "walk around lens" is a high end wide zoom.

Thank you! ... I 'get it' now.
Normally don't get too obfuscated with LR .. my carelessness was at fault. Sort of like doing the shoot
without taking the lens cap off ... (sort of)

Greetings Fellow Ugly Hedgehogs (and to those who are not so ugly as well).

This is (should be) an elementary question I just don't have time to search for the answer if it can be helped.
So your help would be very appreciated.
When I start a 'new' catalog in LR I clicked Import and selected a drive without carefully choosing a name
AND .. without carefully looking at the top of the LR screen " Copy as DNG Copy Move Add" (as choices)
for some reason "Move .and.. Add" were listed as processes.
My Question: Where does LR 'move' those actual files ....... Choosing add shows "add photos to catalog without moving them"
... Haven't wanted or needed to do this in years, though have been using ALR for years.

Most often, when this question comes up, I ask what the person hopes, and expects to do with their life .. Also how much they
want to spend. If the person is, a retiree for example, and just wants to take up the hobby or a youngster, excited to get into the hobby;
I like to point out a couple of things .. 1. Modern cameras, especially higher end DSLR, Mirrorless, Translucent mirror etc are able to
help you create photos that 30-40 years ago PRO's were barely able to do .. A major brand mid range will have a learning curve but that
is ''''expected'''' .. 2. If you are not determined to make a living with a camera but want to DO THINGS with photography then shoot for
a 'major brand' (ie Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus etc) and get an extended warranty with accident coverage, it will have a higher resale
value if you buy it new and 'usually' there will be more accessories available.
Then take that cameravas far as you possibly can, learn and try everything it can do .. any of these cameras can be used to make
prize winning photos even as good as many 'pros' .. if you THEN find you can make money (that will support your upgrades)
.. until it dies, such a camera will give you all you need .. Better lenses can cost more than the camera and will improve your pictures much more than a more expensive body.

Very often folks ask me that question.
I always tell them .. If you want pretty photos to share and post online, right out of the camera, then shoot .JPG
Modern cameras do a pretty good job.
However if you are able and use and are confident with POST processing and want to do that .. then Shoot .RAW
seems pretty straightforward.

Thanks to all the awesome folks on this site,
Just my 2 cents worth .. (there 'was' a time when that 2 cents would buy a loaf of bread) .. anyway I've found that folks who LOVED and wowed
your photos 30 years ago.. have grand kids who will ALSO love and wow your photos .. Good photos don't really grow old (unless exposed to sunlight or printed and not kept under glass) .. lots of newbies want to become photographers, some will purchase a 'camera' and whoa! INSTANT PHOTOGRAPHER .. but those who have worked to 'make' really stunning photos know the difference and the 'new' folks will appreciate what can be done with a little bit of "work" .. WORK yaaaaaagh!!!

Greetings to all,

Ever since I heard the term 'mono-pod' I have used a high quality very light weight pro "Tripod" .. I attached a Velcro 'wrist wrap' to the point
just above the lowest and smallest leg extension .. then extending the sections as necessary and the 'extendable 'top/neck' section to mono pod
height .. lock everything down firmly and presto 'mono-pod'. I attached a cord to the neck and to one of the bottom leg sections and fasten a good
"sling carrier as one would use for a hunting rifle" carry it across my back OR .. pull the sling snug and use it as a "hiking pole" (this is a "solid"
tripod") ... yes the 'pod' takes a beating but it has (so far) lasted me five years .. even once falling through the ice (me) I was able to get out
using the 'extended pod' .. and .. when I need or want a tripod this little lightweight beast is ready at the tug of a Velcro strap.
... I am CERTAIN that many of you guys and gals already do that but I haven't seen it mentioned in awhile.? "F8 and Forget it"

I LOVE it . . . BUT . . . it is Wonderful and has many features that (similar to a great DSLR) one wonders about but never sees fit
to "use" due (mostly) to ignorance. No matter what software you purchase for the job . . . you'll need to do a bit of study to really
'master' it.

Greetings ...
Your original shot of the Sandhill cranes looks better than the 'sharpened etc' one ..
You didn't say what your 'focal length' setting was .. I've had a lot of success shooting with
at distance using a large Focal length setting ( 18-35 ) the wider/deeper depth of field yields
'more' of the photo being sharp. Though it really only works well in bright daylight situations.
Just a thought. No Question a tripod and remote shutter button helps too.
Have fun.

Both (nowadays)
It 'seems to me' .. that there was a time when the best photos were created by arranging lighting, backdrops ... using filters of all sorts, etc etc to 'effect' the desired appearance .. as opposed to "seeing the possible" taking the shot (with only 'in camera' controls adjusted) then (if that isn't enough) to crop, perhaps change white balance a bit .. and so on. no?