Proof that K-7 metering is awesome

PentaxPoke · 07-10-2009, 09:31 PM

The camera can take a picture of our cat. Every time. This may not seem like a big deal to many, but if you have ever tried to take a picture of a black cat, you would understand. There are even Flickr groups on black cats. (search "black cat" in Flickr discussions and you will see an endless stream of people asking how to get the proper exposure for a black cat so you can see thier features.) I do have some good pictures of her with my k20d, but these are my "trophies." Most times her coat throws off the metering. I have tried everything: matrix, center weighted, spot, but it is very difficult. With the K-7 in matrix mode, I just point at her, and presto. A black cat.

I was beginning to call her the vampire cat, because it was so hard to get a picture of her:

This shot was on the back porch at twilight. Hence the ISO 2200.

dantekgeek · 07-10-2009, 10:31 PM

This is great! I've got a kitty that looks just like yours, and can absolutely appreciate how difficult metering off the silky black fur is.

I can't wait to get my hands on a K-7

stevebrot · 07-10-2009, 11:14 PM

I have wondered about metering for dark animals. It seems almost impossible to get a good picture. The one of your cat looks great to me.

Steve

(Tuxedo cat?)

PentaxPoke · 07-10-2009, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by stevebrot

(Tuxedo cat?)

Now that is clever. If she was a male cat, "Tux" would be an awesome name.

*nostatic* · 07-10-2009, 11:23 PM

sure, it's easy to get a good shot when you kill them first.

I kid, I kid. My cat Milo is a dead ringer for your cat.

I kid, I kid. They have 9 lives. Well, 8 now. Maybe 7 - depends how you count.

*heliphoto* · 07-10-2009, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by PentaxPoke

Now that is clever. If she was a male cat, "Tux" would be an awesome name.

Especially if you are (or don't mind being mistaken for) a linux geek

.

*nulla* · 07-11-2009, 12:35 AM

thanks for the post mate... nice shot.

its great getting K-7 feedback

cheers

Neil

*Squier* · 07-11-2009, 02:30 PM

An all black cat is pretty tricky , i agree. But not as tricky as a black and white cat.

You get good black fur detail and blowout on the white fur patches, or good white fur detail and black fur detail just looks like a black blob

You need a K10D for such times

PentaxPoke · 07-11-2009, 03:00 PM

Nice pic. That is a good looking cat. One other thing I didn't mention about taking a picture of a black cat, is that it really can throw off the AF as well. The black/white contrast must at least be nice for that.

*Squier* · 07-11-2009, 03:22 PM

The trick is to use manual focus

Thats how i snapped the kitty.

jena · 07-11-2009, 05:11 PM

MM black and white cats can be difficult to photograph, this is the first decent shot I have of Winky, taken with the K7 and 18 - 55 WR kit lens, AWB and auto focus.

Beau · 07-20-2009, 12:00 PM

wow, that cat looks exactly like mine!

going with the tuxedo -> tux -> linux theme she's called Linux

Jasvox · 07-20-2009, 02:50 PM

Looking forward to the K-7. I have a solid black dog and a white and black dog, my two favourite subjects...the metering of the K-7 will be appreciated.

Jason

Arpe · 07-20-2009, 06:59 PM

Good point. We have a grey and a black cat. I almost don't bother with the black one because of those issues, I'll give it a go - when I can - hopefully soon.

eagle · 07-21-2009, 04:50 AM

I solved this issue, by getting a ginger cat.
K-7 works on ginger cats as well!