Well, once I get the check from my brokerage firm for some stock I sold I'm going to be picking up a D2X and also want to get a long lens. Right now I'm leaning towards the 200-400 VR. I'm really partial to zooms, and think this focal range would be a lot more flexible for my needs than something like the 300 2.8 VR. I already know I want more reach than the 300 can provide on it's own, based on using the 70-200VR + TC-17. And the 200-400 provides that, not to mention providing more reach with the TC-14 added than the 300 + TC-17 (albeit one stop slower). The only thing that has me a little concerned is max aperture, but I think that's a tradeoff I can live with. My shooting interests for this lens would be wildlife, although not really small birds; also I think it could be useful to experiment with for landscape shooting, either for detail isolation or compression of distant scenes (which in particular would make the zoom more useful than a prime I think).
As for my questions. Do you those of you have this lens use it handheld? monopod? tripod? What head (if any) do you use on a monopod? Right now I have the Bogen tilt/swivel head on my monopod but it's only rated for like 6lbs so I'm thinking it might not be adequate. As for tripod use, will my Markins M10 ballhead be OK or is something like the Wimberley Sidekick really necessary? I would probably want to get the RRS replacement foot for the lens, but I see Wimberley recommends their own low-profile foot which appears not to be useable as a handle (and I'm guessing also wouldln't allow my RRS flash bracket to be mounted).
Also, any experience using teleconvertors with this lens would be appreciated. I would assume results with the TC-14 are good, how about AF performance in decent light? Is the TC-17 useable with this lens? I know there are going to be times when I'll want more than 400mm reach (for instance, trying to spot some bears/wolves at Yellowstone next month).
Finally, how do you carry this lens, either in the field when using it or when stowing it away for travel?
As for my questions. Do you those of you have this lens use it handheld? monopod? tripod? What head (if any) do you use on a monopod? Right now I have the Bogen tilt/swivel head on my monopod but it's only rated for like 6lbs so I'm thinking it might not be adequate. As for tripod use, will my Markins M10 ballhead be OK or is something like the Wimberley Sidekick really necessary? I would probably want to get the RRS replacement foot for the lens, but I see Wimberley recommends their own low-profile foot which appears not to be useable as a handle (and I'm guessing also wouldln't allow my RRS flash bracket to be mounted).
Also, any experience using teleconvertors with this lens would be appreciated. I would assume results with the TC-14 are good, how about AF performance in decent light? Is the TC-17 useable with this lens? I know there are going to be times when I'll want more than 400mm reach (for instance, trying to spot some bears/wolves at Yellowstone next month).
Finally, how do you carry this lens, either in the field when using it or when stowing it away for travel?