Interesting thread ! I have made a comment on another topic regarding Neils quoted figures. I am not sure exactly where you're coming from Neil as on occasion you seem to contradict yourself. As you have all the lenses discussed you are obviously in a perfect position to pass judgement on their performance but it seems that you are biased towards the 300f4 because you want to carry it around all day.Fair enough. I briefly tried the 300f4 and D300 last week. Compared to the f2.8 D200 combination it was a peashooter to a canon. No doubt you could walk around with that no problem. The f2.8 does get heavy after a while and it's nice to put it down. However, as previously quoted, Nikon only recommend the 1.4 TC with the f4 whereas the f2.8 will support a 2.0TC. For anyone on a more limited budget than you appear to have the f2.8 might be a handy compromise solution. The ability to walk around with it and yet convert to a 600mm lens too. I was sat next to someone in a hide the other day who had a Canon 500mm and yes, I wished I had that lens as I was unable to get close enough to the small birds we were taking photo's of. On the other hand the previous day I had been on a 6 mile hike which would have been impossible with the 500mm lens. Yes, in reality both would be nice and that remains an ambition but for the meantime the f2.8 will have to do.It was half the price of the 500mm too.
As for hand holding, yes you can but you will get better results resting it on a beanbag or tripod... and that goes for any lens as far as I am concerned. For flight pictures I find 300mm perfect as the field of vision is much wider than at 500mm with a TC. The closer the subject the better the detail and sharpness. The other thing to remember too is that Neil based his judgement on his experience of using the lenses in Hong Kong. The rest of us might not be so fortunate to have those sort of lighting conditions. I know in Britain we don't for most of the time.
In summary I think it's great to read Neils judgements but remember his needs might not be the same as yours.
Rioja,
I'm just catching up with my emails after being away and I'm intrigued by your comment "..... as on occasion you seem to contradict yourself" . This is very possible ( I have jetlag at the moment so am likely to say anything ). Let me know specifically what you disagree with and I'll address it.
Neil.