Originally posted by normhead The problem with the 70-300s,
The oft overlooked point is that a consumer-grade 70-300 - any ol' 70-300 - can be used as economical 'training wheels' by folks that are still feeling their way into tele gear. The learning curve is steep enough without dropping big $$$ on expensive lenses when you have no experience in how you'd actually use 'em.
I've also known folks that have enthusiastically invested $1000's in tele gear only to discover later that dressing in grungy clothes to slog through weeds, woods, mud and bugs to use 'em just wasn't their thing after all. Could've learned that with a used $50 xx-300mm zoom.
LBA's a wondrous thing with no regard for patience however.