ok, after a weekend of shooting - a few comments:
d300 was an easy transition with so many controls just like or very near the d200 so i was able to shoot without cracking the manual.
the 200-400vr is HEAVY. i am a pretty big guy and this thing wore me out shooting for 4 hours hand held. stuck it on my cheap monopod and felt like i should be a pole vaulter the dang thing bowed like - well, a bow. went and spent another $400 on a GOOD monod and wimberly head, but didnt use it much as i was shooting birds in flight and jumping in and out of my truck too much. it will get a good test this weekend.
found that shooting hand held even with a 1.4tc is doable. got a little tricky going portrait for a tall heron standing straight up - that really tested the VR and i'd say it passed with flying colors.
speaking of color, the color seems to be a lot better than the d200........
detail! shot at iso200 all day - had bright sun to cloudy bright conditions - i definitely like the sharpness of this combination given i was shooting all hand held (well, a little resting on the bed rails but not that much) so i am hoping that with improved technique and a little weightlifting and more monopod work that it will get even better!
i changed computers recently and dont have the software on my new one yet to upload files to my website otherwise i'd post a few examples .. .. maybe i'll try the galleries tonight after i scale a few files down to size.....
UPDATE: added to gallery and moved thread to the proper forum....if you are thinking of a d300 - do it (with the 200-400vr as well, of course... )
http://www.pixalo.com/gallery/showga...r/4649/cat/500
all d300 and 200-400vr at iso 200, aperture priority, all hand-held, pelican and great blue heron cropped a little bit