The Sigma 100-400mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary is a powerhouse telephoto zoom for travel, nature, sports, and wildlife photographers. Retailing for $799 and available for pre-order now at Adorama, I was excited to test this new super telephoto lens out on the Canon 5D Mark IV. What I discovered was that the 100-400mm 5-6.3 DG is incredibly versatile as a single lens kit in your gear bag. Paired with my Canon, I was able to capture everything from macro flower photos with impressive bokeh, to crisp fast-action surfing shots from shore – all with the same lens.
Sigma’s goal in creating the Contemporary 100-400mm was to make telephoto photography more accessible by creating an easily portable lens without sacrificing quality. The new lens, which Sigma calls “a light bazooka,” according to Petapixel, does just that by packing a compact, optical performance workhorse into just 2.5 pounds of practical, sleek design. The Contemporary 100-400mm lens will be the perfect addition to my essential gear kit on future assignments because not only does it perform at professional quality, but it is not a burden to carry around.
This past weekend I took a trip to the beach and was pleased to see how easily this lens fit into my smallest gear bag and comfortably hung from my shoulder along with the camera for a few hours of walking/exploring. I paired the lens with the Canon 5D Mark IV because it is an incredibly lightweight camera for a DSLR of its class, and the richness with which it captures all subtle lights and shadows is unparalleled. It would be a shame to lose any of this camera’s ability behind an underperforming lens. I didn’t have to worry about that with Sigma’s newest full-frame lens.
Everything is within reach when it comes to the zoom power on the Sigma 100-400 5-6.3 DG HSM. I could capture detailed photos of seagulls and a plethora of shy seabirds without alerting them to my presence. But even more exciting was being able to zoom into subjects further away with incredible detail almost shocking for a lens this compact.
But why stop at land? With the Sigma lens, I was able to capture surfers in the lineup at sunset, not missing a beat, thanks to the lens’ awesome AF responsiveness.
And finally, I took the lens even further when I set my sights on the gorgeous sunset moon. The lens captured it all with stunning detail that you normally wouldn’t expect from something so lightweight and small – and under $1,000!
What I have found in the Sigma 100-400mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary Lens is a fast, lightweight lens that packs well and is just as versatile with macro photography as it is in high-speed action and long-distance wildlife and nature photography. I highly recommend the 100-400mm Contemporary lens to any photographer looking to take his/her work further.
