[nikkibee]

hi guys this is my first time on this site but desparate for some info which i am sure you can help with !!
i have got a canon eos 500 and i need a large zoom lens that is capable of capturing fast moving bikes! as i am off to the world cycling track championships in a couple of weeks.

Any ideas ? as you can tell i am a complete novice when it comes to all things photography

cheers
nikki

[Steve]

What budget have you in mind?

Sigma do some great zoom lenses that are good value for money but they may not have enough reach for the subject matter you are considering.

They do an excellent 70-200 and also a much bigger and more expensive 50-500, the latter will require use of a tripod to get good results although you may get away with using it of a mono pod.

Canon also do a few lenses that would probably cover your needs but the costs are generally likely to be more.

They do a 70-200L, a 70-300 IS USM and also the big favourite around here - the 100-400L IS USM but you are getting close to £1000 for the last one.


EDIT we already have a member 'Whipspeed' who photographs cyclists using Canon equipment. She has just added the Canon 70-200L IS lens to her kit and recently got some great results.

Most of these lenses are covered in our equipment reviews section here

[Soupdragon]

What you want is the canon ef 70-200mm f2.8 is usm + a 2X converter.

I'll stand by that until I understand your budgetary constraints.

[Soupdragon]

Dag nabbit!, I wish I could type quicker.

[Sonsey]

As previously mention it's hard to properly advise without knowing your budget...

Even with that I would like to put the Sigma 100-300 f/4 into the mix, a lens that I've previously owned. It's a very sharp lens that works well with a 1.4x TC, better IMO than the 70-200 with 2x TC option previously mentioned.

Due to it's weight and lack of Image stabilisation I would reccommend getting a monopod to go with it... which is the only reason I sold it on for the Canon 100-400L IS, as I wanted to be able to handhold the camera at the 400mm end.

My reviews of both lenses are here -

Sigma 100-300 f/4 - http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...uct/148/cat/14
Canon 100-400L IS - http://www.pixalo.com/reviews/showpr...oduct/80/cat/5