SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens for L-Mount and E-Mount Introduced

News

by Jakub HanJune 22^nd, 2020

SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary lens is the company’s new ultra-telephoto zoom lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras with L-Mount and Sony E-Mount. The lens features a relatively compact and lightweight design with autofocus and image stabilization. SIGMA also announced new TC-1411 (1.4x) and TC-2011 (2x) Teleconverters for L-Mount.

SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary lens. Source: SIGMA

It is obvious that SIGMA is fully committed to supplying the L-Mount cameras – including their own SIGMA fp (click here for our review) – with a wide choice of native lenses. In a recent live stream, the SIGMA Corporation CEO Kazuto Yamaki himself announced a new lens in the company’s lineup. It is the first ultra-telephoto zoom lens designed natively for L-Mount. Additionally, Kazuto Yamaki announced two teleconverters to accompany the new lens. The SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary will also be available for Sony E-Mount. What are the features and specs of this new lens?

SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens

One thing that SIGMA emphasizes about this new lens is the lightweight and compact design (given its focal length) – the diameter of the lens is 3.39 (86mm), the length is 7.76″ (197.2mm), and the weight is 2.5 lb (1,135 g). Despite its compact design, the lens features both autofocus and optical image stabilization. SIGMA claims the image stabilization compensates for up to four stops of camera shake.

SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary lens. Source: SIGMA

According to SIGMA, a series of low dispersion glass elements – one F Low Dispersion (FLD) element and four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements – are used to achieve high clarity and color accuracy throughout the zoom range, and to suppress chromatic aberrations and color fringing. For potential customers to judge the optical performance, SIGMA has a gallery of full-resolution sample images on their website.

SIGMA 100-400mm Sample Image (SIGMA fp @400mm). Full-res available here. Image credit: Takafumi Kojo, SIGMA

The SIGMA 100-400mm is designed for full-frame cameras, but can also be mounted on APS-C models, where it provides a 150-600mm equivalent focal length range. At the 100mm end of the zoom range, a minimum focusing distance of 3.7′ is available, and at the 400mm end, the minimum focusing distance is 5.2′ with a maximum magnification of 1:4.1.

SIGMA 100-400mm lens – MTF Chart. Source: SIGMA

Integrated AFL button can be programmed to adjust various shooting settings and the lens also features a focus limiter switch for faster-focusing performance within certain distance ranges. There is a zoom lock switch to prevent the barrel from accidentally extending.

The lens features a rubber sealing incorporated in the mount’s design to provide dust- and splash resistance. SIGMA offers the optional TS-111 Tripod Socket for this lens as well.

SIGMA 100-400mm lens – buttons. Source: SIGMA

SIGMA 100-400mm Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 100 to 400mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/5 to f/6.3
• Minimum Aperture: f/22 to f/29
• Lens Mount: Sony E, Leica L
• Format Compatibility: Full-Frame
• Angle of View: 24.4° to 6.2°
• Minimum Focus Distance: 3.61′ / 1.1 m
• Maximum Magnification: 0.24x
• Optical Design: 22 Elements in 16 groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: Yes
• Tripod Collar: Removable and rotating (optional)
• Filter Size: 67 mm (front)
• Dimensions (ø x L): 3.39 x 7.76″ / 86 x 197.2 mm
• Weight: 2.5 lb / 1,135 g

SIGMA TC-1411 and TC-2011 L-Mount Teleconverters

The newly presented SIGMA TC-1411 and TC-2011 Teleconverters are designed exclusively for the use with SIGMA L-Mount lenses. Mounted between a lens and a camera body, the TC-1411 magnifies the focal length of the camera by 1.4x, and the TC-2011 by 2x.

All communication between the lens and camera body (metering, autofocus, image stabilization, EXIF data) is retained. In addition, the new teleconverters have a dust- and splash-proof construction.

SIGMA TC-1411 and TC-2011 Teleconverters. Source: SIGMA

The trade-off for the focal length extension is, however, the light loss – 1 stop of light with the TC-1411 and 2 stops of light with the TC-2011 Teleconverter.

Price and Availability

The SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 lens can be pre-ordered now for both lens mounts. Shipping should start in July 2020. Price has been set to $949 (around €830 in Europe). The lens comes with the LH770-05 hood and the PT-31 protective cover.

The TC-1411 and TC-2011 Teleconverters are also available for pre-order now. Price has been set to $399 (around €340) for the 1.4x converter and $429 (around €370) for the 2.0x converter.

What do you think about the new SIGMA 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary lens? Do you ever use ultra-telephoto lenses for your filmmaking work? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.