Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Like many men, I seldom take the advice given when I order a new toy, such as I did when I received my Sony RX10M4 camera. "Study the manual before starting to use the camera." After a couple of months of taking pictures that were far to grainy and I couldn't understand why I was being locked out of using lower ISO settings that reduced "noise" on still photographs. Finally after reading the small print deep into hundreds of pages of the regular and help manuals, I discovered that the manufacturer sets the default ISO on the camera half way between settings for still images and video images. (I suspect they do this to encourage photographers to actually read the manual before trying to take pictures.) In truth what it does is make the image quality poor on both functions, if you don't pick the correct setting for the type of images you are planning to take. Now that I finally changed the setting to still images, I suddenly have the ability to set the camera to much lower ISO settings to reduce noise that I wanted to do while using the default settings. This afternoon, my images have far less noise and they appear razor sharp. I hope you enjoy this image and learn from my mistake.

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Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Don’t feel bad. At almost 600 pages, I think the dictionary has less pages. While I’m not a Sony Shooter I understand your dilemma when I bought my Canon 5D Mark IV. But rather than schlep around a 600 page manual, I was able to download it to my phone. I would read a few pages here and there while riding the bus to work. There is also something known a Photobert’s Cheat Sheets. It is a one page both sides printed and laminated brief synopsis for many cameras. It is available on Google and at B&H

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear Scruples...Thank you for sharing information about Photobert's Cheat Sheets. I am an old guy with arthritis and have trouble lugging my heavy Canon with 70-200 mm telephoto around all day and now prefer my smaller and lighter Sony RX104M to carrying daily. I'm going to take your advice and buy the cheat sheet and carry it in my photo bag so I can make changes on the fly. You are a gentleman and a scholar. I would enjoy becoming photo buddies during this pandemic if that works for you.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Dear Shooter41: In short I’m not a professional. I’m an occasional hobbyist. I have learned so much here on Ugly Hedge Hog, I just like to share what I have learned with others and learn more. A few photographers here are going mirrorless. While that may be the upward trend, I started in high school with an SLR. I am a crusty old stubborn coot who will never switch off from the dSLR revolution until my hands or my back complains. Then maybe if it is on a rainy Monday.
I don’t mind sharing some hacks I have learned over the years or recently. Here is another little tip, next time your in the pharmacy ask the pharmacist if he would like to save some of the bulk bottle desiccants. I keep a few in my bag to prevent moisture from getting inside my camera and lenses. It is a cheap solution to to preventing an expensive problem.

Keep in touch be well and stay safe

Steve

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Dear Steve...Will do!