George Patel

Hey, sorry to hear your camera's acting up right when you need it for that vacation :) It actually sounds like the autofocus system might be the culprit, could be something like a stuck lens mechanism or dust inside that's messing with the focus motor. Since you've already tried cleaning the outside and resetting everything, it might be an internal issue that needs a closer look. If your camera isn't super old or a basic model, repairing it could definitely be worth it, especially with a tight budget, rather than shelling out for a new one. If you're feeling handy and want to try a DIY fix, you could open it up to check for any obvious problems like debris or loose parts. For that, I'd recommend the precision screwdriver kit because it comes with magnetic tips that make handling tiny screws easier and a variety of bits perfect for electronics like cameras :) It's got tools for prying open cases without damage, which could help you get to the focus assembly and maybe clean or realign it yourself. One thing is it might not have every exotic bit for super specialized cameras, but for most digital ones, it should do the trick. Overall, if you're comfortable with tinkering, this could save you repair shop costs and get you those clear pics in time for your trip; otherwise, a pro repair might be safer if the camera's still under warranty or something.

Honestly the worst part is everyone trying to sell you a subscription. I blew a week's groceries on three lessons and learned the same stuff YouTube covers. Do a single in-person lesson to get posture and fretting checked, then use free videos plus a metronome app. With 30 minutes, go 10 on finger dexterity, 10 on clean chord switches, 10 on a slow song you like and and record yourself once a week to catch bad habits.