I have a Canon EOS 500N camera with 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.8, 58mm lense. I would like to look at the option of having a wide angle lense. Please send me detail specs, prices, recomendations, authorised dealers near my home town or in middle east.

Agha Sher Hamid Zaman House 382, Street-14, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan.

-- Agha Sher Hamid Zaman (ashz47@hotmail.com), August 19, 2001

Answers

OK, Agha, you question is pretty funny given you want it all! I'd start by looking at http://bhphoto.com and see what is available for your needs.

-- Chris Gillis (chris@photogenica.net), August 19, 2001.

Yes, that is quite a blast of questions! I have some of my own. What are you looking to do with this new lens that you can't do with your zoom? 28mm is considered by most users to be wide angle! :-) [The range of the zoom below 50mm are all "wide angle" focal lengths.] Are you needing wider focal length? Faster apertures? Higher optical and/or build quality? Are you looking for a better zoom, or a fixed focal length lens?

You obviously have web access (or is it e-mail only?) For specifications, start with the Canon lens section of the Canon website. Then try third party makers if you can't find what you are looking for. Sigma, Tamron & Tokina all have their own websites to provide information on their products.

For pricing & purchase availablity, the online mail-orer houses such as B&H Photo (www.bhphoto.com) or CameraWorld (www.cameraworld.com) would give you both. The prices will have to be converted to your country's currency, as they are in US dollars.

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), August 19, 2001.

Your question has received some good answers. However, I should point out that this forum is not run by Canon or any manufacturer, dealer or distributor of cameras.

Your question sounds like you think this discussion forum is a service provided by such a company. It's not. It's a hobbyist discussion area; nothing more.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), August 19, 2001.

I'll actually make a recommendation. GOing by your existing camera I'll guess your not spending huge amounts of money. I'd go for either the 22-55mm lens. It uses the same size filters as your 28-80 and although not exactly the best quality it is really cheap (less than $200). I've had one for a while and use it regularly with great success. Never had any trouble with it, but never enlarge past about 8x10 or spend hours studying photos through a loupe.

As for buying it, just find a store (www.bhphotovideo.com maybe) that will ship to Pakistan. Shouldn't be too difficult if you have a credit card.

Good luck

-- Marcus (citizensmith@lanset.com), August 23, 2001.