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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dave Williams" data-source="post: 1583234" data-attributes="member: 53820">I took my 500mm on a 7 mile walk yesterday, over the shoulder job on a tripod.Slight lower back pain this morning but nothing too much ! I still maintain if I had one lens to choose I would go for the 300mmf2.8. yes, when it comes to reach the 500mm obviously wins, but there wasn't a worthwhile shot that I would have missed yesterday had I taken the 300mm instead , and with the better field of view and faster focussing I might have picked up some better BIF shots.The 300mmf4 is certainly a superb alternative at a more economic price but the former is a superb 400mmf4 whereas the latter is starting to struggle with TC's especially when you go to 1.7 and beyond.UK lighting is often not going to be the best.The 500mm is limited in it's use in comparison.You might be able to back off your subject if you stick to birds but what else could you use the lens for ? The 300mm f2.8 might seem big when you first use it but it does magically shrink after a while. It sits happily on a tripod  or over my shouder with a lens strap. It also packs away quite happily into a medium sized back pack like the Think Tank Airport Antidote with the body attached.Always a difficult call when you are spending a lot of money, one that's worth dwelling on for some time before deciding.Now. me, do I go for a D300s or wait for the D400 ? Oh to be wealthy !</blockquote>