Looks like I am going to be getting the 100-400L II a lot sooner than I expected.

[DavidWare]

Great question. But I think she is considering this payback for a couple things. Growing up, my parents divorced and my father left, and we weren't financially stable with just my mother's income, at one point living in a homeless shelter for 14 months. My little brother and I didn't even have a Christmas for about 4 years. Also, a few years back, a pipe broke in our basement while I was in Afghanistan, and I sent her a $5k check to replace damaged items and repair damages.

All that said and done though, I am going to print up a few pictures for her on canvas so she can put them in the living room, she has a few favorites of mine that she has hinted towards, and I am going to get those done for her. I'd like to get a few good pictures of my brother and I together for her since we haven't done that since we were in middle school.

She's more appreciative of the little things more than anything you could put a monetary value on. She'd be more happy if I showed up and shoveled her stairs and walkway after a snowstorm than if I went and bought her anything.


As for those ship dates, so long as it is here when everything starts turning green, I will be happy. Are you going to get the 400DO or are you still torn, Brant?

[Kayaker72]

Glad to hear everyone is doing better. She also sounds like she is the type of person that may get more out of giving you this lens than anything else.

Great to hear.

Are you going to get the 400DO or are you still torn, Brant?

Still torn. I am currently evaluating the Sigma 150-600S.

Specifically regarding the 400 DO II, I would need to put in some effort to come up with the ~$7k at this point, if possible. But, before even considering that, I would like to see a few reviews at a minimum. All we have on the 400 DO II are MTF charts, which are impressive. But I would like to see Bryan's charts with the 1.4x TC and 2x TC and his thoughts on bokeh. But, I am certainly intrigued by the 400 DO II.

BTW, I am excited to hear what you think of the 100-400 II. The 100-400 I is a great lens and I expect the "II" to be better in all the critical ways: 4 Stop IS, better sharpness (especially into the corners), faster AF, complete weather sealing, etc.