Thanks for the comment! I was fully expecting, when I bought this lens, to be overwhelmed by it's weight (especially from the reviews I've read). Honestly, it's not that bad. With the tripod collar removed, it's not much of a chore to hand-hold this lens. Once you get to the longer focal ranges, it needs a bit of support, but if you don't mind a higher ISO and faster shutter speeds, you can get away with handheld shots there, too.
I used this lens handheld for shots of the local 4th of July parade, and...when I switched back afterwards, it felt like I was carrying a feather!
Great shot . . . great composition . . . very clear image . . . great DOF . . . good lens . . . I don't see the overexposure anywhere . . . Nicely done.
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{K:101119} 7/5/2006