Out of the box

I've just taken receipt of a 70-300mm lens and this was taken at 300mm, autofocus, from about 5 metres away. (Crop sensor, so I get the extra magnification...) 

This is straight out of the camera and impressively sharp at this distance. I will put the camera/lens on tripod tomorrow so that I can have a proper play. Manual focus feels a bit odd/soft but I might just have to get used to that.  I think it's partly due to the new nano focusing system on this lens.

First impressions are generally good, but I'm not wholly sold on this lens. Yet. The only real alternative is L glass, but the weight and chunkiness of that particular lens is an issue.  I haven't been impressed by reviews equivalent third party lenses either. Hmmm.