That cracks me up, I started to say I could use the tripod and make a teepee. :D
If I could justify in my mind buying that lens, I would be homeless anyway, I think it would push the wife past the point of my no return.
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Yeah, no room for the wife anyway in such a small enclosure!!!!!!!!
Well, tripod at one end, 1200L at the other end standing on its lens-hood, I reckon you could get a nice 2-person sized tent out of that...
Meanwhile, there's also the Pentax Takumar 6x7 300mm f/4 lens, I got one off ebay for $60 or something, IQ isn't so bad, even wide open in a very quick test it's not too dissimilar to my 70-300L. Add a pentax 67 or Canon-mount 2x t/c and a 67-ef adapter (with tripod mount), and you're up at $150 maybe.
Also I've got a Zeiss MC Sonnar 300mm f/4.0, again about as good IQ as the 70-300L (probably better than the Takumar because it's Multicoated), but it cost me about $300, the soviet teleconverters for pentacon six are very nice and cost maybe $40... (i might try taking a shot with this combo on the weekend)
I would almost agree with you but I think you under estimate the IQ difference between these two, it's like comparing a boxer to a sumo wrestler. There is no comparison, besides having other features as well. Now there is also a very big value gap as well, I think if you want the best value the old manual focus FD line or other brand name super telephotos would be your best bet. I hear Minolta made a nice lightweight 600mm lens:rolleyes:
Cheers,
John.