That is funny John, I actually find that I am a more patient photographer when I am out in the field after a wildlife shot than when I am bowhunting.

Kevin.

John, i'll be there with my wife (her first banquet).  we will be getting into salt lake thursday evening so look me up.  i'll be running around with my camera taking 1000's of shots. maybe we can grab a meal together and talk shop. see you there....
rob

Bob I also get in Thursday so I will try to track you down. Your wife will love it. Short funny story.... In Seattle I needed a way to get into town so I  booked a bus trip with the ladies just to go take pics down at the warf and market etc. Long story short I am the only guy on the bus and must have put a damper on there fun.......later they came out with a rule no men on the ladies trips...........  Heck I just wanted a bus ride down town.

Just a brief update...I picked up a 300 F4 lens today and spent about an hour playing with it.  I like this lens.  It won't be as good for me in all situations as a 2.8 would, but I'll make do.  The 2.8 is just too darned expensive.

Anyone want to go goose hunting?     I took this one yesterday with the 70-200 2.8 VR.

Phil, what a cool shot, I have never had a chance to try or handle a VR lens, do you think they are worth the extra $$$ for one? Is there a big differnece in the price for the 2.8 vs 4.0 I notice in the trade magazines they list the prices for the 4.0 at roughly $1100 and indicate call for the price on the 2.8    for the standard and the VR model.  Have you found that the VR mode allows you to leave the tripod back more now?

Checked out your images on your site, great stuff love the night shots.Did you put your own site togheter? Its really well done.  Take care. John

Thanks John.  My son built the site for me.  He lives in Colorado and does that professionally.

The 300 f2.8 VR is $4499.  Wayyy beyond what I can or want to spend on a lens.  Even used 300 2.8 Af-S lenses are between $2000 and $2500.  I know that one stop is important at times but the f4 at $1100 is going to have to work until I hit the lottery.    

I like the VR and think it's worth the money.  I still use a tripod for most of my shots but for some things when I use a monopod it helps a lot.  On a tripod it's recommended to turn the VR off but I like to pan so I leave it turned on.  Plus VR does let me hand hold my 70-200 down to about 1/15 with great results when I need to.

Phil

Man thats steep...... $4499, like you I will go with the 4.0 when I get the chance. I use the sigma 100-300 f.4 and I have had decent luck with it. I had read that you need to turn off the VR when mounted so I had not given them much of a chance. Planning on a return trip to africa  in 08 and am re-thinking/ elavuating my gear. ie go for the D-200 and use the D100 for a back up body or try to swing for another lens,like the idea of the 70-200 VR 2.8. Like you mentioned I have found that more and more I go with the monopod and have managed some decent shots (for me)    Phil take care and thanks for the info.

QuoteOriginally posted by Iron/Mtn:
 As indicated previously by another post I really enjoyed jerry's seminar 2 gatherings ago. Missed him being there at San Antonio as I had taken some enlargements that I was hoping he would  review for me. Jerry if your reading this  I really enjoyed the seminar and the TBM articles,thanks for re-peaking my interest my only hope is that you will leave the Dark side (Canon) and return to the  NIKON    

Been away on vacation for two weeks (sunshine, photography, and hogs in FL/GA).  Got back home to the crappy weather an hour ago.

Thanks John!  I always like to hear when someone has learned something or gotten interested in photography through the articles/seminars.

Go back to Nikon?  It ain't going to happen.  Ever.          :D

I find I'm more patient as a photographer, but I think bowhunting is responsible for the patience.  Make sense?

Great shot, Phil!  I think there are quite a few very good photogs on this site.  It stands to reason, I guess.  The passions mesh well!

Glad to see you made it back ok ...  got photos?

QuoteOriginally posted by stickbowhntr:
Glad to see you made it back ok ...  got photos?

Yep.  But haven't had time to work any of them in Photoshop yet.  Except the hog pics, of course.   :D