Kelly Robinson

A quick win is to switch to single-point AF and use the center point; it’s usually a cross-type and the most sensitive in low light. If your camera or flash has an AF assist lamp turn it on so the camera gets a patterned target to lock onto. For static subjects and try Live View focus or magnify and manual focus for a precise lock. Also, clean the front element and consider removing any cheap protective filter, since haze or flare can make AF hunt.

You are fine with a 15-plus-year-old KitchenAid tilt-head. The front power hub has stayed the same for decades, so any hub-driven metal pasta roller and cutter will fit. On cleaning, none of the metal rollers should be washed or immersed. Brush out flour, wipe with a dry cloth, and run a scrap of dough through to pull out residue. If it gets a little damp, let it air dry. No soap and no dishwasher. If you want a buy-once option that just works, go with the Pasta Roller Attachment. It fits all KitchenAid stand mixers with the power hub and has a stainless steel build. It costs more than the generics and you still have to brush-clean it, but the fit, finish, and smooth rollers make it a dependable mid-tier choice that should last for years on an older mixer.