Well, I went into the local shop--local for me was the 3.5hr trip into Anchorage--and ended up doing the same. I admit, I really liked the 70-200L lens of Canon, but did not like the slide function of the 100/400L. I really enjoyed playing around with the 80-400 VR of Nikon. As for the bodies, I just couldn't get comfy with the controls of the 40d or 5d. I ended up with the D300, kept my 18-135, and bc I purchased the body, got $150 off the 70-300VR, but am lusting for the 80-400. The D300 was $1749, but the way they did the exchange, I got my D80 and the 18-135 lens as a combo discount and when they just returned just the D80 body, it ended up giving me an extra $100 towards the D300. So all in all, very happy, saved a nice chunk of change, and am neck deep in learning the new functions etc.
Will
