Originally posted by RICHARD L. The lower portion can be used as a handle to carry the lens and body combo
Sure, but there are a multitude of better ways of carrying such a combination. After all the DA*300 is actually a pretty light lens.
Options include a sling strap, a capture clip, holding the lens by the barrel, and no doubt many others. If you really need a big juggy handle, I guess you could buy a DA* 60-250 and use that tripod foot - but that seems like a pretty expensive solution to a trivial problem.