I've seen the 600 in person, "unfortunately". I'd staked out a place to catch Lance Armstrong riding in the Tour de Gruene near San Antonio in early November, talking with a few others who were asking about my 70-200/2.8IS. Then, up comes one of the paid photogs with a 600 on a super-low tripod (short legs, no center column) and Wimberley head. Boy did he get some nice shots (until the crowd got in his way, since they just didn't comprehend what he was shooting). Boy was I outgunned.


For those who will listen to me long enough, I say that I want a decent selection of zooms (mostly because my girlfriend isn't comfortable with primes yet), perhaps the 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 (have 2 of the 3, and have the 24-105), and then plan to go for a wide spread of "affordable" L primes (14, 35, 85, 300/2.8, 500/4). When I hit the lottery, I'm come back for the "even" white primes (200/2, 400/2.8, 600/4, 800/5.6), but probably not until then.