Steve,if I get rid of the 100-400,I would just have the 300 2.8 or, i'm keeping the pumper and adding the 70-200 2.8.
I'm just wondering if the IS is worth it when you need around 500 tv to stop action anyway?
I did some crude testing this last weekend and set my 400 to 200mm,turned the IS off,took a reading [5.6] then bumped iso to achieve 2 more stops of tv,thus duplicating what the 2.8 would be giving me in the same sit. in terms of shutter speed. I took about 30-40 shots and all were tack sharp. I think IS can be very helpful at times,but at a short 200mm,I didn't have any probs. handholding-even down to below 250 tv.
I've also heard that to get the most the 70-200 can deliver in either version is on a tripod.
I can swing the extra $500 for IS,but would rather put it aside for another prime i have my eye on.
OK there,I've officially just pulled out my last hair!

MM, unless you're interested in shooting a lot of indoor sports or other low-light subjects that are pretty close to you, I feel you're wasting your money on the 70-200 f.8, IS version or non IS. And if indoor sports is what you're after, drop $300 on the 85 f1.8 and gain a bit more speed while saving $3,300 to put toward the 500 or 600. Well, unless you're considering moving into sports professionally. Then you'll get a lot more use long term out of the 70-200 than you would if you're following a couple of your kids for a few years.

That's just IMO, but it's a pretty strong IMO.

If it weren't for the big upsurge in my indoor wedding business, I'd be staying with the 100-400 and saving my pennies for one of the bigger primes. The 500/1.4 TC may just be the best all-around combo out there when it comes to IQ, weight and price.

Don't feel bad Steve, I was an ED Major at MSU in the 90's. I never finished it though, I got wise and decided I had not patience for dealing with delinquints when I did a life reflection and recalled how deliquent I was. LOL

Heck, I don't feel bad at all, Paul. Almost every job I've had in the last 20 years involves teaching (which I love), and pretty much always it was teaching people who WANTED to be there instead of classes 3/4 full of kids who wanted to be anywhere else.

I'm with Ken... Steve played some tricky Jedi trick on our eyes.

Mike, use the Force.

The lens is sold. Thanks for looking, everyone!

Glad to hear it Steve.