Lenses for G9?

So I think I've decided to go with a G9 for my trip (see my original post here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1002&message=27983553 ). It's a little outside the price-range I was looking at, but I think I can handle that.

One of the things I feel a bit concerned with is the G9's lack of a native 16:9 lens setting, such as the DMC-LX2 has. Because I'll be doing a fair amount of landscape photography (especially in the Andes) I want to maximize the photos I'll be taking. This means I need to buy one of the wide-angle lenses for the G9.

Do you guys have any recommendations for dealers or brands I should work with? I know that the quality of a lens can make all the difference when dealing with the end-product, so I want to get top-quality stuff.

Oh, one more thing: kind of a stupid question, I know, since no one really has the answer yet, but do any of you think Canon will be announcing the G9's successor any time soon? I leave for my trip on September 6th, which is 1 year + 3 weeks since Canon announced the G9. I don't know much about announcement dates vs. release dates (in that are they the same thing? or how long is the lag period between announcement and release?) or about whether or not Canon will be updating the G9, so I could use a little help in that area. Thanks!

Here are some G7/G9 wide angle samples...

http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/G7wide.html

The G9 will be one year old in August. If there's going to be a new model it will probably be announced then. Considering how widely praised it is, and how few weakneses it has, my guess is that they're going to keep it for a while longer and milk it for all it's worth. We'll see...

Personally, I'm holding out for the G10 to be released this August. Canon have actually said as much by stating that the next G series will be sold throughout 'at least mid 2009' (statement from a recent PowerShot SDK update). Given that they have been working on 12-month product cycles, you don't have to be a genius to work out the timing.

May not be your thing, but have you considered the A650IS? This has all the G9 features (well, once you install CHDK anyhow), and then some at a cheaper price point.

Me, I decided to get the A720IS to save a few more pennies, and bought myself a lens adapter and 2 lens kit (UWA and Tele). I also purchased a G9 lens adapter so that when I update to the G10, I should hopefully be able to use the adapter and these lenses (it's pretty likely, but not guaranteed) on the newer rig.

The A720IS is only 8MP, but when you compare the sensor size and resolution of the G9 and the A720IS, you realise that the pixel density (i.e. number of pixels vs. sensor size) is about equal. Honestly, how many shots will you enlarge over 16x20?

Just an idea ...

HTH

--
Cheers,

Matthew

'True. You can shoot a Canon with a Nikon ... but it's much more fun shooting a Nikon with a Cannon.'