my new 800

Okay, after some very serious thought, and I appreciate everyone's comments from before, I have decided on buying the 800mm lens. My main reason was reach. I own a mk4, and am not about to get a 7d, and currently, all my images taken with the 400 plus 1.4 are still way too short, so a 500 would still probably have the convertor on most of the time anyway, which is something I didn't want to do. The old 600 was too heavy, the new one would be available god knows when. That left the 800 I am not worried about the long minimal focus distance, as I am presently rarely close enough, so it would not be a major problem.
I have affectionately called it Huey, after the baby cartoon character. So with it came the purchase of a new tripod and mono pod, and I also bought a lightweight trekking lowpro backpack, not meant for the 800, but with the guts taken out, works well. It is taking me some time to get used to, as I am not so strong in the arms, but I don't have any problems lugging Huey about, only when I have to try and lift him off the backseat of the car from the drivers seat, or if I want to scramble down rock walls etc, it does get akward. I also have to get used to shooting from a tripod, as I am so used to hand holding. I have yet to try and master a bif, I can't seem to swing and focus quick enough, but haven't really tried too hard. I have only had Huey out about half a dozen times. It is very sharp, and taking some getting used to exposure wise, as I shoot in manual mode, but it lets in more light at the same aperture than the 400. It is also more contrasty, but that could be the camera settings, I will work on that.
So here are a few images I have taken so far. (and yes, I have also used the 1.4 on it as well)

Great Shots Tina, love the shallow DOF
where abouts did you shoot these, in the Brisbane area?

Congrats on the big ol hunk of glass Tina, it will take time but look back at some of Nighthound Steves shots of the Osprey's and other, hand held, looking forward to more, now get to working out those arms!

Wow, what an investment that is! But big congrats on purchasing it, Tina. I don't think hand holding 5.6 kg plus the camera is really doable, but I'm sure that with practice, shooting from a tripod will become second nature. This lens will give you really shallow depth of field, as we can already see in these images. Very nice. The chicks are adorable!

Congrats, Tina. Lots of money, but you are already getting some winners. The chicks are adorable and definitely help justify your decision. Good luck with the tripod, I'll bet you are hand-holding that sucker before long, getting BIFs.

You have definitely made a commitment to your photography w/that purchase Tina. Or is it that you need to be committed for that purchase....I'm easily confused -
The results speak for themselves, simply awesome! I really got a good chuckle from the 3rd image w/just the head protruding from the tall grass.
The color and IQ in all are exceptional and we'll look forward to many more from you and Baby Huey.

Some great shots. I too, like the shallow depth of field.

Congratulations Tina! Good for you! Based upon what you've done so far, I look forward to more posts.

Wow Tina! I was just thinking of you yesterday, that you have been missing from the forum for awhile now and what you were up to and stuff. BAMMM! Here you are, and with HUEY!
Congrats on the purchase! It looks like a sure winner and you have images to prove. As i told Steve (CamFan01) earlier that, there's REALLY something in the water because pretty much EVERYONE in the Bird forum is getting some BIG GUN in these past couple of weeks, except myself.

I is Jelly of you I want the 800, but I would need to sell some crack to get the money first.

Excellent series of shots....Well done!

tohara wrote in post #13847584
Great Shots Tina, love the shallow DOF
where abouts did you shoot these, in the Brisbane area?

Thankyou Tohara, and yes, these were at a small swamp in the Moggil area.
I was at Alex last year, and found the Osprey's, hope to get up there to have a crack at them with Huey.

BGgraphy wrote in post #13847624
Congrats on the big ol hunk of glass Tina, it will take time but look back at some of Nighthound Steves shots of the Osprey's and other, hand held, looking forward to more, now get to working out those arms!

Thanks Bret. I am a huge fan of Steve's work, and yes, I saw his handheld shots! I need to do more weightlifting before I get to that, however, most guys could handhold for short bursts. I have some smaller weights I have been using, but will go buy some heavier ones very soon!

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #13847710
Wow, what an investment that is! But big congrats on purchasing it, Tina. I don't think hand holding 5.6 kg plus the camera is really doable, but I'm sure that with practice, shooting from a tripod will become second nature. This lens will give you really shallow depth of field, as we can already see in these images. Very nice. The chicks are adorable!

It is only 4.5kg Levina (lol, thought that is still heavy), which is just manageable for me in most situations (just under 1kk heavy than the 500 in fact). Funny, now that I have had it for a little while, it doesn't look so big, but when I sit next to my friend with her 400 5.6, it is a monster! Chick season is now over, next lot will be end of the year.

sparker1 wrote in post #13847735
Congrats, Tina. Lots of money, but you are already getting some winners. The chicks are adorable and definitely help justify your decision. Good luck with the tripod, I'll bet you are hand-holding that sucker before long, getting BIFs.

Thanks Stan. It is scary how much money, but an investment came thru, and it was kitchen or glass. I can live with my old kitchen, it still functions. Just looks outdated with orange benchtops! Lol, and I am doing a small bit of weight lifting, to help boost my muscles!

CamFan01 wrote in post #13847877
You have definitely made a commitment to your photography w/that purchase Tina. Or is it that you need to be committed for that purchase....I'm easily confused -
The results speak for themselves, simply awesome! I really got a good chuckle from the 3rd image w/just the head protruding from the tall grass.
The color and IQ in all are exceptional and we'll look forward to many more from you and Baby Huey.

Thanks very much Steve. Lol, I will need to be committed now! Hope that I will actually get some sports contracts to help pay for the insurance, it is a good surfing lens!

acajun wrote in post #13847987
Some great shots. I too, like the shallow depth of field.

Thankyou, the very shallow dof does take some getting used to.

Diamond Lil wrote in post #13848015
Congratulations Tina! Good for you! Based upon what you've done so far, I look forward to more posts.

Thanks Lil!

cfcRebel wrote in post #13848211
Wow Tina! I was just thinking of you yesterday, that you have been missing from the forum for awhile now and what you were up to and stuff. BAMMM! Here you are, and with HUEY!
Congrats on the purchase! It looks like a sure winner and you have images to prove. As i told Steve (CamFan01) earlier that, there's REALLY something in the water because pretty much EVERYONE in the Bird forum is getting some BIG GUN in these past couple of weeks, except myself.

Lol Fee!! I have had a very hectic january. Started as being one of the official togs with the Brisbane Tennis International. (people shooter, not much tennis). Then I was away for a week, and all the usual stuff that happens inbetween. I was also hesitant to announce to the world my new lens, it is such a huge investment for me, and sooner or later the photography circle here will know, and I don't need nosey people interested in my finances. There will be quite some talk, as I don't know of anyone else here in oz with one, though I am sure there would be.
Lol, it is a bit contagious, hope you get something soon!!

No Angle wrote in post #13850521
I is Jelly of you I want the 800, but I would need to sell some crack to get the money first.

I would never have dreamed that I would have had this lens, but it somehow happened. MIght be a silly move, but money in the bank might not be such a smart thing either, with the world economy the way it is!

squirrelsnest wrote in post #13850669
Excellent series of shots....Well done!

Thankyou very much

congrats on the new lens Tina.. you've gotten some great shots with it

Dont know why I didnt notice this before but the compression of DOF is amazing. I thought my 400 compressed it a lot.

Great set!
The DOF in fantastic.