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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Neil" data-source="post: 1503557" data-attributes="member: 1568">The fact that this thread still has legs indicates the common issues being raised which we all wrestle with every day. I have the Nikon 500/4 AFS, 300/2.8 AFS and the 300/4 AFS and use them all with the Nikon 1.4x tele .  I use the 300/4 50% of the time ( I use a DSLR 50% of my time and digiscope the other 50% ), the 500/4 45% of the time and the 300/2.8 only 5 %.The reason I like the 300/4 is that it's much easier to carry with one hand.  This is very important in hides when you have the camera beside you while you use bins/scope. The 300/2.8 needs two hands to pick it up and you have to be much more careful when putting it down on shelf/bench ground/rock.  When picking it up by the strap you run the risk of it's weight getting the best of you and smashing into something (often your knee).  The quality from it is amazing though so if you can find a way to get closer to birds (feeders/water/calls/parks) then you can't beat the results.  I find this difficult here in Hong Kong and most serious bird photographers here shoot with 500/600/800s ( or aspire to them )Neil.Hong Kong,China.June 2009</blockquote>