Which Camera for Alaska?

“Thank you!”

“Hey AmyG!

For America's last frontier...

Go with either Panasonic FZ30 or FZ50. Both no longer made but available on Ebay.

Why:

GREAT glass.
Manual zoom 12x.
Of course, image stabilization.
Be sure to have a 55mm filter on the lens.
If you will be in the snow, then opt for polarizing filter. Otherwise, UV.

Bring 2 DPS 9000 external battery packs regardless of which camera you buy.
They are lithium based (no, don't even of it)
and thus are less temperature sensitive.
(about $30-40 ea). They mount on bottom of camera but battery has it own mount too.
Brings lots of media!

Btw, FZ30/50 take SD media up to 2-4 Gig.

All the best,

HC”

“Here is a thread on a forum of photo samples of the HS 10

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/fujifilm/169110-fuji-hs-10-photo-samples-4.html

Some of these pics are just fantastic!
last edited: 4/25/10 9:51:25 AM”

“I took the plunge today and ordered the Fujifilm HS10.”

“...
last edited: 5/06/10 4:11:24 PM”

“I took the plunge today and ordered the Fujifilm HS10.”

“Nice camera Tango. What type batteries does HS10 use?”

“4 double A's.”

“Those lithium engergizer AA's are the best I've used in a digital camera so far. Rechargeable AA's not too far behind...bring a lot of them!

Remember to extend the life of your batteries but setting the display to turn off in 30sec, turn of image stabilization as it eats a ton of battery, use a tripod instead or just turn it on for evening shots or shots at full zoom without a tripod.

I would expect that most of you are gonna take a lot of pictures, probably upwards of 1000 or more. Video also kills batteries quick too so be careful with that.”

“I switched over to Eneloop rechargeables. Love them!”

“Consumer Reports rated those the best but I haven't found them in any store anywhere.

Of course the backpacking benefit of lithiums is they are 33% lighter, last longer, and don't lose charge waiting to be used like rechargeables. I prefer the lithiums for trips like Alaska while rechargeables are fine for a 2-3 day trip.”

“Costco sells the whole kit. AAA and AA's and the recharger. I also got just some extras on Amazon.”

“I haz a Brunton Solar Panel 12 voltz with many adapters or use my AA charger that comes with my kit. Charges 4 AA in approx 3 hrs and with 20 hrs of sunlight, that's easy.

What Dub said is what I use in my GPS and camera. I use my solar panels for Sat phone and Walkie Talkie back up and keep electric Bear Bag charged.... oh I almost forgot I also use with my new MICRO miniature MICROWAVE and when I bake bread with my stove.”

“I am looking at this:

http://www.amazon.com/USB-AA-Solar-Panel-Charger/dp/B001RMBHMK

But unless I find a great buy on it I will go with Lithiums. I will have to buy them there since Alaska Airlines won't let you bring them on the plane unless they are in the device.
Thanks for the advice
New camera should be here Mon, Tuesday at the latest.”

“Looks like my solar panels.”

“I'm a Samsclub member not Costco so that explains why I haven't seen the Eneloops. I would probably take the Lithiums for Alaska since you'll be out a long time and they work well in cold weather. We had a problem last year that the overnight lows froze our nik-cad batteries and the cameras had a hard time in the morning. Same thing happened to my steripen. I'd be sure to take more batteries than you think you'll need too. It's very pretty and if you guys are basecamping/dayhiking I think you'll take more photos than us (we took around 1000ea but planned on more). I'd plan on taking at least 2k of photos if I were you. Just remember video and image stabilization as well as the displays eat battery power quick!”

“I will take your advice and I will take the Li batteries.

Eneloop starter kit

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop-Battery-Charger-Batteries/dp/B00198BF9W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273451710&sr=8-5”

“




My new Fujifilm HS10
last edited: 5/16/10 5:41:07 PM”

“Nice color, but it's metering dark, set it to overexpose by 1/3-1/2 stop. If it's got a RAW mode and you're shooting in it, move it one stop and read up on "shooting to the right."”

“Thanks. My very first outing with it.”