The 500 was not cheap (not as bad as renting the markII would have been
), but I know I am not going to have twelve grand to spend on a lens anytime soon, and I had a four-day weekend at the height of raptor migration time, so I figured what the heck.
And as the results show, yeah, that extra reach makes a huge difference with critter shots. My arms feel like rubber right now though, as I was shooting handheld with that beast for three days.
It will have to be a special occasion for me to do it again, but I wouldn't hesitate if I wanted the shots. In the mean time, I have been saving and keeping an eye on the used market.