Sorry, Bob ,I almost missed this thread.


I don't understand why you feel guilty? you don't really "buy" this lens, you just put some money on it and someday you will get the money back when you sell it especially when the interest rate is so low and the $ is so weak these days.


but you should find a good deal IMO, money is money, paying less money makes me feel happier![]


good luck!


update, since I got very good result with the 500mm+1.4XTC combo for shooting closer small birds, I thought I can get pretty good result for shooting distant birds or BIF, but I 'm kind of disappointed so far with the results. I don't know what other people who has had the 500mm for longer time think about it, I feel it's so hard to do BIF on a tripod, hand holding the 400mm 5.6 was so much easier IMO, but then I may need more practice. anyway, just think you may want to know this before you buy and no doubt this 500mm is a great lens.