lens dilema

[evan47]

sometime in the new year i am hoping to get an upgrade from my nikon 70-300vr. the copy i have is good and sharp right up to 300mm esp at f7.1 .
i am looking for an affordable upgrade to use alongside/replace it. i have been thinking of the nikon 300mm f4 af-s, nikon 80-400vr, sigma 50-500/150-500/120-400.
does anyone have any thoughts on my best choice? i shoot mostly macro in spring/summer/autumn and woodland birds in the winter.
all apart from the nikon have mixed reviews

 

[TCR4x4]

Ignore, stupid iPad app, has deleted half the text again.. Pile of crap.

 

[pete.rush]

The Nikon 300mm f4 a great lens, works well with Nikon 1.4 & 1.7 TCs ok it's a prime lens so faster focusing and sharp, but you'll have to think a bit more about composing you images.
The Nikon 80-400mm a very average lens, you would be better off with one of the sigma's. The OS system on the sigma's seem to be very good, although they ain't true 500mm lenses the range is just slightly less.
It depends whether you want the flexibility of a zoom or the sharper faster focusing of a prime

 

[Dale_tem]

I've got the sigma 50-500 and love it, only had it a few weeks, but getting some great shots. Check out the fox and vole photos on my Flickr page, these were taken with this lens in far less then perfect conditions.