American Kestrel

[DanWalters]

Captured this image at Crown Hill Park in Colorado this morning. Finally got my lens back and the auto focus still does not work. Very frustrating. Thanks for looking.

Canon 1D Mark2
Sigma 500mm F/4.5 lens

1/640 second
f/6.3
Metering at zero

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Interesting composition and good light. I might clone out the branch touching the bird's chest and there are some artifacts in the BG.

I hope you will get your lens issues fixed.

[Jon Thornton]

I agree with Axel about the branch. Otherwise, nice shot.

I'm interested in your AF issue. I recently bought a Nikon 500mm f/4G VR and I too have been having AF issues. In combination with my D300 and my Nikon TC14-E II teleconverter, it front focuses really badly. Not even a +20 AF fine tune fixes the problem. I have sent it back to the shop for the second time. Hopefully, this time they will fix the problem.

If you are having similar problems, I would suggest purchasing a Lens Align Pro from http://www.rawworkflow.com/lensalign
(http://www.rawworkflow.com/lensalign) With this tool, you will be able to tell whether your repair person has actually made any adjustments by comparing before and after shots.

[mao ouyang]

Great light and comp. Hope your lens issue gets resolved.

[Steve Canuel]

Hey Dan,
This one doesn't seem as sharp as your usual images, sorry to hear about the lens problems. Looks like that branch might be a regular perch.

[DanWalters]

Thanks for the comments and the link. I did a little research and they may have to re-chip the lens. The auto focus does not even work. And that is what they said they repaired(adjusted the HSM). I should just avoid the hassle and save up for a Canon lens instead!