I was very happy to bring my 300mm F4 and 1.4x TC to AK, and have done so again several times now - I just can't come close to the IQ with my basic lighter zooms. ; It's not quite as big as the 300 F2.8s and 200-400 F4, but it's an old all-metal beast and very heavy. ; Still well worth it!
My motto, bring the best you got for the situation. You'll get great shots with the lens for sure and the shoulder workout as proof . Just wish Canon would release their 200-400 someday soon.
I follow the same philosophy myself which is why I'm bringing it. ; I should have been a little clearer in my earlier post in that any regret resulting from bringing it will not have anything to do with lugging the extra weight around. ; It would be from having to deal with getting the backpack that I use with it through security because that backpack has a ton of small pockets and if the bag checker decides to do an overly thorough review it will be a royal pain[nb]Last time I had that happen I was using a different bag with less pockets and the security guard made me empty all of the pockets.[/nb]
I just got a 72-77mm step up ring and am considering my own ND filter. ; One question for you ND experts out there. 0.6 or 0.9? ; B&H has a Tiffen for $43.
I have an ND8 (0.9) and am happy with it. ; I actually have two, a 72 and a 77, as well as a 72-to-77 step up ring. ; I'll be willing to share at Pixelmania.
last minute addition for pixelmania, b&w filter nd, 3.0 which is 10 stops, in 77mm. this should really allow some long fireworks exposures, and some long waterfall stuff