Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I could not do it without the Black Rapid strap distributing that weight over the shoulder, that has saved my neck and hands/arms. It is a big lens, not as big as my Tamron 70-200/2.8, but it seems to be balanced pretty well.
I regret now that being at BH I did not test DA*300, and Black Rapid. I use OpTech Pro strap, and it's really comfortable one, even for heavy lens.
At least I bought ThinkTank TurnStyle sling (medium 10) there. It's extremely comfortable for shoulders, especially when wearing it as a baby sling on front, and it will fit one camera with big lens easy. It fits two cameras with short lenses. The only drawback is lack of water pocket. Birding without water in Florida is impossible
Most likely I will attach elastic mesh pocket myself.
At some point of doing photography I realized that comfort is not a luxury, but safety.