{"id":842,"date":"2025-05-08T10:59:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T10:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wonderfulmalaysia.com\/tips\/?p=842"},"modified":"2026-04-08T15:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:28:00","slug":"tips-on-photographing-in-malaysias-jungles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wonderfulmalaysia.com\/tips\/tips-on-photographing-in-malaysias-jungles.htm","title":{"rendered":"Tips on photographing in Malaysia’s jungles"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve been to Malaysia many times over the years and have visited quite a few nature parks. A visit to one of these parks usually involves a few daytime activities like jungle hikes and river cruises \u2014 boat trips down the river often take center stage. Photography comes in all shapes and sizes, and you\u2019ll almost always have a camera with you \u2014 anything from a phone camera to a professional system camera.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of my latest jungle adventures was in Danum Valley, a stunning jungle in the interior of Sabah (a state in northern Borneo). It\u2019s always hot and humid there, and just when you spot a beautiful animal, it\u2019s often dark, and the animal is still quite far away, high up in a tree. So you really have to be well prepared. On top of that, the environment can be tough on your gear \u2014 think fogged-up lenses or cameras getting wet and suddenly not working anymore. There\u2019s often not enough light to get an animal, insect, or bird in focus. Photography in the jungle comes with its fair share of challenges, but in this article you’ll read about our experiences and below we’ll list some tips as well.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s no surprise you see bird watchers lugging around massive half-meter lenses on tripods to get sharper shots. We\u2019ve been photographing for years, often in the jungle, and we\u2019ve sometimes needed help from the guide just to get a sharp photo \u2014 especially during night walks. Not using flashlights or anything, just the beam from the guide\u2019s torch indirectly lighting up the animal.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to have a camera that can handle water or a bit of rough use. Also, a bright (fast) lens is more important than just having a big zoom. A snake under the foliage on a branch is nearly impossible to photograph without a bright lens.<\/p>\n

My photographic equipment<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve been shooting with an Olympus system camera (now OM System) for many years \u2014 a great all-round setup for travel photography. I use an OM5 with a 12mm f\/2.0 prime lens, and I also have a 40-150mm f\/2.8 PRO for specific jungle adventures. The whole kit is compact and easy to travel with. One of the best things about OM System cameras is that they\u2019re weather-sealed \u2014 in my case, even fully waterproof. Of course, other brands offer weather-sealed cameras too.<\/p>\n

I also always carry an OM System TG-7 compact \u2018Tough\u2019 camera. It\u2019s perfect for jungle conditions \u2014 shockproof and waterproof up to 15 meters. It also has an excellent macro mode, ideal for insects or flowers. If I go diving on the same trip, I take the matching PT-059 underwater housing (and lights, etc.).<\/p>\n

And recently, I started using a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It\u2019s a fantastic phone with one of the best smartphone cameras out there right now. I\u2019ve taken some great shots with it. You always have your phone on you \u2014 handy when you\u2019re just walking from your jungle hut to grab a bite and suddenly a cool animal passes by (like the Tapir that wanders around the jungle resort at Taman Negara).<\/p>\n\n

What to bring<\/h2>\n