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Back in Europe/US you can get a great deal by buying a slightly outdated, secondhand body and then sticking on a quality lens.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?
Summiting Yunnan's majestic Haba Snow Mountain
Posted byClimbed 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.
Interview: Tracking Kunming's trash with Adam Liebman
Posted byFascinating. 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.
Study: Re-greening of China possibly not so green
Posted by@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).