User profile: Andrew_AWS

User info
  • Registered
  • VerifiedYes

Forum posts

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Can any photo enthusiasts offer some advice?

I second the recommendation for a SONY NEX or similar small-body large-sensor camera. These have a sensor of the same size as most DSLRs, (or slightly smaller in the case of the 4/3rds format from Olympus/Panasonic), but the body is far smaller and more portable. If your camera is always with you, you're bound to take many more great photos: I know very few people who can be bothered to lug around their big, heavy DSLR all the time. You can use either lenses purpose-built for the camera, or (with an adapter) lenses built for SLRs. Also, unless I'm mistaken, I don't think you can swap lenses on 'bridge' cameras, which will limit you in the future.

Until I lost it, along with the contents of my bike's pannier bag somewhere on JianSheLu, I used a NEX-F3. flickr.com/photos/andrew_aws

It's similar to Dan's, but an older model, a lot cheaper, with a much inferior interface (buttons and dials), and no viewfinder. Viewfinders these days have been pushed to the expensive end of the market, but they're really useful.

Back in Europe/US you can get a great deal by buying a slightly outdated, secondhand body and then sticking on a quality lens. I guess, like Pierre recommends, you could go to Hong Kong and do the same thing. I'm not planning on going to Hong Kong just to get a (under 500EUR) camera - can anyone recommend options for secondhand cameras in Kunming or online?

0
Forums > Travel Yunnan > Weekend bike trip ideas

I arrived in Kunming a few weeks ago and would love to do some cycling in my spare time. I've seen some great accounts of longer bike trips on GK but I'd love some ideas for shorter trips that could be done in a weekend. Along the lines of: get a bus somewhere late friday afternoon/early evening, stay the night, then bike to a village or town, stay the night, bike again on Sunday and get another bus back to Kunming on Sunday evening. Of course, route ideas that require an extra day would also be appreciated.

Also, are there maps available or is a smartphone with GPS needed? And do all buses take bikes - do you just stow them in the luggage hold?

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Kettlebells in Kunming

Just had a look but couldn't find any at zhangguanying market. I'd ask for more info but I suspect that asking 'which shop?' about that place is pretty pointless. Perhaps taobao is the way to go. Anyone know the hanzi for 'kettlebell'?

Classifieds

No results found.

Comments

Climbed Haba a couple of years ago - just as the author says, it's a great climb requiring decent fitness but no need for ropes or technical climbing. Would be a good idea to know how to self-arrest if you fall and slide during the descent though, especially if you haven't used an ice-axe and crampons before. Also, be aware of the effects of altitude sickness; a bit of elevation acclimation beforehand would help cut the risk. Highly recommend this trip.

Fascinating. Does anyone know where the incineration plants are and what kind of technology they're using? The level and type of pollution generated can widely a great deal.

I'd also be very surprised if they really were incinerating 100% of the rubbish collected by the authorities.

@Alien: not in the sense that they've been making stuff up - that's not what the study found - but it does imply that very broad forest definitions may overstate the success of afforestation programmes. These definitions are used not only by China, but by the FAO and by other national governments. The authors also say that China's investments in afforestation could be better targeted (geographically and with regards to the species used).

Reviews

No reviews yet