Cameras for Adventure Travelers

My cameras for traveling

When I guide tourists on adventure trips in West Papua, I always bring at least one camera. The type of the photographic device that I choose depends on the destination that I plan to go to. For instance, if I want to guide birding visitors in Klabolo forest, I will bring my Fujifilm Finepix HS 50 EXR. I will use it to take pictures of birds of paradise and other tropical birds in the forest. I am very satisfied with this camera. It was small enough to carry but it has got super zoom lens that is equivalent to 1,000 mm lens that is usually used in D-SLR cameras. In the past I used Nikon P500 and Nikon P600. The quality of pictures that Fujifilm HS50EXR creates is better than them. Unfortunately, Fujifilm does not manufacture that camera anymore.

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor)

If I plan to go to the beach for snorkeling over coral reef in Raja Ampat, Tambrauw regency or Manokwari, I will bring my action camera Brica B-Pro5 Alpha Edition. In the past I brought Nikon Coolpix AW 120. Now the camera has broken. I used to take pictures of coral reef using ordinary Sony cybershot pocket camera that I put inside a dicapac waterproof case. I have just replaced them with the B-Pro5.

Manokwari underwater

As a matter of fact, the pictures that Nikon produces are much better than the Brica B-Pro5. However, the action camera is equipped with a waterproof housing that makes B-Pro5 more resistant to water pressure. In the long run, I will use the action camera more frequently until I can save enough money to buy a better camera that performs well underwater.
The pictures that I make during my adventure trips in the forest and at sea are important materials for my writing works. I always write trip reports or posts in my blogs and website. I add pictures in the articles to make them look more attractive to readers.
If you are interested in taking a snorkeling trip or birding tour in West Papua with me and want me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa Highland: A Paradise for Avian Enthusiasts
• Birding and Butterfly watching in Sonder's Forest and Farmland
• Wildlife Trip in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland
• Birding and Butterfly watching tour from Manado city

My Bridge Birding Camera

Lesser Birds of Paradise shot by Fujifilm HS50EXR

Most professional photographers use D-SLR camera with telephoto lens to take pictures of birds. However, they are very expensive and heavy. I have used bridge cameras for birding since 2010. The quality of photographs, may not be the best, but is good enough for bird identification and picture sharing on my blog and social media. My first bridge camera was Nikon Coolpix P500. I used it when I traveled to a lot of regions not only in West Papua but also in Indonesia. Later, when the camera could not function properly anymore, I bought Nikon Coolpix P600. It was a nice camera but had a very short life. I did not make a lot of pictures of birds with the P600. Now, there are Nikon P900 and Nikon P1000 on the market but I haven't tested them yet.

Grass flowers in Tambrauw Mountain

My Current Birding Camera

After using Nikon cameras for several years, I decided to buy a different camera from different brand. I bought a Fujifilm HS50EXR. After using the cameras for several years, I could say that this is my best choice. I have captured hundreds of good quality pictures of birds, butterflies, flowers and landscape scenery. The camera is not expensive compared to high end D-SLR camera. To take pictures of  birds, I have to turn the lens barrel manually. This saves the battery life of my camera. I often spend 3 days up to 2 weeks guiding visitors on a birding trip in the jungle of West Papua from the tropical rainforest of Arfak mountains to Klasow valley, to Raja Ampat. For that long trip, I always have 1 extra battery in the pocket of my bag. I also put the charging device and its cable in it. My Fujifilm HS50EXR allows me to take pictures of birds for several days in the jungle without recharging. I often mention this camera in my blog posts.

Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

I hope that Fujifilm will continue to upgrade this Finepix HS50 EXR camera by creating higher version with 50x or even 60x optical zoom. However, I am sad to read that the company has discontinued the production and further development this electronic product.

by Charles Roring