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Message: <blockquote data-quote="griffin" data-source="post: 1332718" data-attributes="member: 34828">Okay, this is what I am going to do:a) Buy a D300 ( cos my 70S is getting on a bit, and will hopefully give better overall performance with my current lenses). I don't think I will be disappointed getting a D300 from what I have heard and read.b) Hire a 300mm f4 for a week to see how I get on. It is about £40 to do this which is a bit steep so can't hire a camera and lens.cos:a) Happy with my Nikon 18-70 'standard' lens and Tamron 28-300.b) BigRon 200-500 might perform better and is decent zoom in somewhat limted conditions.c) The 300 prime has good MFD, is sharp, has quieter (and hopefully faster) AF.d) Already have Kenko 300 1.4 to give 420mm f5.6e) Canon 400 f5.6 has too big MFD for my needs - don't want to use extension tubes.f) 100-400 looks interesting but I would NOT use 100-299 very much so redundant.g) And, I like (and am used to) the Nikon camera interface and layout !Sorry for the 'book'.There I've done it ! Maximum value for capital outlay and making use of what I already have. The 300mm adding more quality and good options for close crossbill hide work. switching to Canon may or may not be better, but whichever not by very much so probably not worth it.Thanks to everyone who has helped me realise that this is the best option - wood and trees and all that !Lindsay</blockquote>