Hi!

First: Thanks for the Forum. Good thing. My Question: A new opened supermarked has a special offer which I cannot judge: They offer an EOS 500 N with Tamron 28-80 lenses for 399.- German Marks (ca. 200 Euro). What´s the difference between an 500N and the 300? I used to shoot with a Canon AE1, (good old times :-)); considering that I was satisfied with that, which new model would fit to me better? And by the way: They offer the EOS 500N also with Tamron 28-200 lenses instead of the 28-80 (price complete then 699 German Marks (ca 350 Euro)) Since I do not know anything about lenses, what would you advise? And one final: Could I use my old lenses from my AE1 (i.e. Sigma 35/135mm) with the EOS 500N? Thank You, Frank, Germany

-- frank bohn (fbohni@hotmail.com), October 07, 2001

Answers

The EOS 500N is the predecessor to the EOS 300, and has less advanced metering and focus systems. However, at €200 I wouldn't really worry, as that seems an excellent price. The 28-200 would probably not be a better choice, as the 28-200 lenses are not very clever, sacrificing optical quality for zoom range. That said, the cheap, kit 28-80 may not be a whole lot better either. The extra money they ask though could easily buy a new 80-200 or 70-300 or similar which would offer better quality, I would not go for the 28-200 personally.

No, your old lenses for the AE-1 will not fit onto the EOS 500N. The old FD mount used a mechanical connection for controlling the aperture of the lens and had no provision for AF. Canon changed to an all-electronic mount (ie there's no mechanical communication between lens and camera, only electronic) with the advent of AF in 1987, a decision which at the time seemed bad to a lot of people, but has given Canon some advantage subsequently.

My advice would be to buy the 500N and 28-80 if you want to get into a little amateur photography, and then, if your interest grows, expand to more lenses, and a better body. At this price, if you don't really get into it so much, then no big deal.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), October 08, 2001.

hi Frank,

I have just bought the EOS500N with Sigma lens(28-105mm)for 600DM at Saturn,the shop that is giving this offer apart from the ones u r talking of.I bought the Sigma lens and not the Tameron one,coz of expert opinions who said the sigma lens was of better quality.

Hope this helps u make up your mind.

-- Sumeet Chandna (sumchand@rediffmail.com), December 09, 2001.