I have asked this question but, but I am still looking for a good solution. I need to find a digital camera that can take quick shots of kitties, without their eyes closed. The last two digital cameras that I tried Nikon Coolpix and a Canon, both had a shutter speed that was so slow that my cat escaped the picture while the flash was going off or his eyes were closed. I had a Sony Cybershot DSC-S50 before it was stolen and it was the only camera I have ever personally owned that would take good digital shots of cats.
I don't want to purchase another expensive camera and have to send it back because I can't figure out how to not have blurry, cat eyes-closed photographs. I take pictures of other things, sure... but if I can't take pictures of things sharply... as they happen, why not just go back to the old fashioned camera with film?
So, I would love to find a good camera, preferably under $200 - doesn't have to be big on the MP... I don't need a ton of features, just sharpness.
2007-12-05 13:15:35 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
You have to first remember that cats are by nature very curious but skittish creatures if they are not sure what is going on.. Having said that, anything that makes a noise is going to frighten them at first so it is a good idea to just practice around them so they get used to any sounds.
The flash HAS to be OFF. Besides the red eye problem, cats will close their eyes quicker than the shutter can open and close. SO somethiing that has a fast shutter speeed is a good thing to have,
You also do have to be patient.
It also helps a lot to have a form of continuous shooting - hwere you can just keep your finger down and take lots of pictures as the cat plays/washes itself, sleeps, yawns etc.
Although you say you don't need lots of features it would be worth getting a camera that has an action setting - this way the camera iotself will help you freeze the action. I also like to use the portrait setting.
Lastly bear in mind that even the greatest photographers often take 100 pictures for each good or exellent one. That is one of the beautiful things about digital. You can take lots and delete as many as you need to.
2007-12-05 15:17:24 · answer #1 · answered by shedahudda 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not the camera. You just need to trick the cat. I get great cat pic's with my plain old Canon Power Shot A520. Here's what I do: I hit the zoom, just a little, It doesn't matter which direction. That makes a little noise, so Mr. Curious opens his eyes wide and stares right at the camera. I always get him full-face and bright-eyed. And the funny thing is, I've been doing it 4-1/2 years now, and it still works. He's also still curious about how I fill his water bowl at the sink, and I've been doing that the same length of time.
2007-12-05 13:57:41 · answer #2 · answered by viciousvince2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowadays you can easily find a very nice digital camera for under $200.00. The key is using the macro feature so focus is on the subject that's in close - not the background. And shoot with "available light" so you don't end with glowing eyes from the flash. Another trick is shooting in a room by a window with natural light coming in. Looks SO much nicer! And get down to their level - don't shoot from above. I learned another trick watching a professional during a photo shoot with Percy, my Persian. He had a wide assortment of feather and tinsel toys on long sticks that he would flick towards the cat and then back quickly. This gets the cat looking in your direction and very wide eyed. Here's one of the shots he got of Percy - http://www.ferretocious.com/pets/cats/chanan/percy-12.jpg
As far as the "shutter being too slow" and the cat's eyes shutting - what you could have been doing is using the "red eye" setting which flashes before the main flash which would make the cat shut his eyes as the picture's being taken. I had this on once when photographing my cat and it did exactly that.
Here's a few shots I've taken (using my Olympus Stylus 800):
http://www.ferretocious.com/percy/percy112906-2B.JPG
http://www.ferretocious.com/sleeping/oliverringo062004-1B.jpg
http://www.ferretocious.com/penelope/penny112107-4.jpg
http://www.ferretocious.com/penelope/penelope103107-1.jpg
http://www.ferretocious.com/purrfectpals/kittens100607-1.jpg
Some cameras also have "Super Macro" which enables you to focus within about an inch while blurring the background.
http://www.ferretocious.com/misc/butchart1.jpg
http://www.ferretocious.com/newhouse/deck12.jpg
http://www.ferretocious.com/newhouse/deck13.jpg
2007-12-05 19:38:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You shouldn't any problem using most any digital camera, even a 200 dollar one. You can get a decent one for that price. Just don't use the flash. It will cause the eyes to reflect back the light and ruin the picture.
2007-12-05 14:19:40 · answer #4 · answered by theshadowknows 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you not ever heard of the "Kitty Cam", developed in the late 1950's by the Cat Lovers Society of America? Good lord I just ate, don't ask questions like that 'til after prime time. Kitties give me the Heeebie Geeebies, especially now.
2016-04-07 12:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Sony Mavica digital camera, that I got a few years ago specifically to take pics of kittens. It uses a 3.5 disc, so I don't know if you can still get that kind, but mine works great! Maybe you need to try another Sony. Good luck.........
2007-12-05 13:30:27 · answer #6 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My pics turned out better after my photographer friend told me never to use the flash. I just have a Kodak c310.
2007-12-05 13:38:01 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Under $200- !!!
I doubt it. We have a Canon Digital Rebel that works great for photographing our three cats.
2007-12-05 13:30:49 · answer #8 · answered by Nigel M 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋