The new Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary is part of a new announcement, and we’ve got so many questions.
It’s no surprise that the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary is getting announced today. There were loads of rumors about it, and now that the world is starting to reopen, it’s prime time for companies to make announcements. This new lens is a superzoom that the company is branding under its contemporary series–and as a reviewer and a customer that’s very perplexing. One would think that with such an aperture range that it could be a sports lens. But Sigma’s naming convention has proven to not make sense yet again. As this is a DG DN lens, it’s designed for mirrorless from the ground up, but there’s another announcement that’s hinting to us that they’ll be coming out with an APS-C camera.
Something that has us scratching our head is that Sigma’s contemporary prime lens lineup is now coming to the L mount. This is rather weird. Those lenses were designed for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds camera bodies, but more importantly, the L mount alliance has shown little interest in APS-C. Leica has its own T model cameras. Panasonic has told us before in meetings that they’re not interested. And, well, that leaves us with Sigma. To be frank, they’re not the best camera maker. No one is making a bad camera these days, but choosing a Sigma camera feels synonymous to buying a super cheap product that you’re going to need to modify and spend a whole lot of money on, eventually. In fact, that’s what the Sigma FP pretty much requires you to do in order to make it function. You get this cheaply priced body but then you need to add a grip, cage, and a number of other accessories. To us, it makes no sense.
But, with Sigma making these lenses available in L mount, the Reviews team and I were pondering this. The Panasonic S1 and S1R have a crop mode for video in 4K 60p. So maybe you might use it for that. But if you’re spending a ton of dough on a Panasonic body, why would you go for a lens meant for a smaller format? The only logical conclusion that we can draw is that the L mount alliance has to be working on an APS-C camera.
Here are some important quotes from their press release:
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
- This new lens achieves high image quality which rivals that of standard zoom lenses such as the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, ensuring a perfect match with these lenses whileshooting.
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- Lens construction: 22 elements in 16 groups, with 1 FLD and 4 SLDs
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- Compatible with lens-based optical correction
* Only on camera models that support this functionality. Scope of correction varies depending on camera model.
- Image stabilization (OS)
- AFL button
- Focus limiter
- Zoom lock switch
* Fixes the zoom ring at the widest end, preventing it from rotating and causing the lens barrel to extend under its own weight during transportation.
- Dust- and splash-proof bayonet
- Compatible with newly designed SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411/TC-2011 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
* Functions as a 140-560mm F7-9 AF ultra-telephoto lens with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411, and as a 200-800mm F10-12.6 AF ultra-telephoto lens with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-2011.
* Autofocus mode varies depending on camera body.
- Compatible with TRIPOD SOCKET TS-111 (sold separately)
* Compatible with Arca-Swiss clamps.
* Specifications same as the tripod socket for the 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens.
* The socket not compatible with the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary lens for SLR cameras.
- Compatible with newly designed SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
- Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system “A1”
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- “Made in Japan” craftsmanship
TC-1411 1.4x Teleconverter and TC-2011 2x Teleconverter
The Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411 and TC-2011 are designed exclusively for use with Sigma L-mount mirrorless lenses. Mounted between a lens and the camera body, the TC-1411 magnifies the focal length of the camera by 1.4x, and the TC-2011 by 2x. Designed to complement Sigmaâs renowned optical formulas, these teleconverters preserve the image quality of the lens while extending the focal length for added zoom capability.
The new teleconverters have a dust- and splash-proof construction comparable to that of the Sigma Sports line lenses, and can withstand harsh outdoor shooting environments when combined with a dust- and splash-proof camera body and lens. Lightweight and compact, these accessories will upgrade lens performance to an “ultra telephoto” focal length without the need for additional lenses.
The Sigma Teleconverter TC-1411 and TC-2011 will be available on July 10, 2020 for $399.00 USD (TC-1411) and $429.00 USD (TC-2011).
Sigma USB Dock UD-11 for L-Mount and EF-M Mount Lenses
Designed exclusively for Sigma L-Mount and Canon EF-M Mount mirrorless lenses, the Sigma USB Dock UD-11 allows users to update firmware and customize settings on lenses in these lineups.
In addition to firmware updates, users can adjust the sensitivity of MF function* speed. It employs the new USB Type-C connection.
16mm F1.4, 30mm F1.4 and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lenses in L-Mount
The 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses – each benefit from a fast aperture of F1.4 to achieve sufficient amount of bokeh and admirable brightness even with APS-C size cameras, which tend to have smaller bokeh effects compared to 35mm full size systems. Each lens has a compact and lightweight body that is perfect for daily use as they cover the range from true wide angle to normal to portrait. Stepping motors ensure smooth, swift, quiet autofocus for both still and video capture. In addition to the upcoming L-Mount variations, these products are available for Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M mount and Micro Four Thirds camera systems.
- 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($449 USD) – High performance wide angle prime in a compact package.
- 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($339 USD) – Lighter and brighter Art line image quality with Contemporary compactness.
- 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($479 USD) – Exceptional image quality and smooth AF for video shooting.
