[JJ_SO]

I'm thinking in a similar way, I would prefer a 1.4 TC though. Add the 70-200/4 VR and you have a very versatile setup regarding focal length, but still rather compact. Plus the latest VR technology in both lenses. And you need to purchase that tripod collar only once

The 70-200/4 is quite fine, but it sucks together with the tripod collar. If I use it on a D800 with it's strong shutter vibration, all pictures @ 200 mm were sharper when I put the camera direct on the tripod head. By using the collar and no VR, only shutter times of 1/500 and faster were not blurred by movement. It's the plastic tube were the collar has to be placed. This part is not stiff enough. No problem, because the 70-200 is lightweight enough. The collar rests in one of those drawers full of useless accessories… a shame because it's overpriced.

 

A shame, btw, not to add it as default accessory to the 300/4 VR... at that price.

If you want a collar and already have Arca-Swiss plates, it might be worth to have a look a Really Right Stuff versions - a little more expensive, but more versatile. See http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Shop/AF-...ckage.html

 

Let's hope the new 300 is a bit better in that aspect, but you're right: at that price it should come with the lens.

 

Converter is not on first place in my list, but it's cool to have the possibility. AFAIK the TC-14E III is not changing the f-value to f/5.6, it remains at 4, only the TC-17E III changes it to f/6. But anyway, fiddling around with converters is the third best. After a zoom lens (heavy) and after a prime (expensive).