Review: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

November 11, 2026 Martin 8 Comments

Introduction

Today we’re looking at a somewhat older autofocus telephoto zoom, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, introduced in 2017.

As part of Sigma’s Contemporary line, it was designed to combine refined optical performance with a compact and lightweight construction.

After testing Nikon’s AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED, I decided to go with this lens, mainly because of its lighter and more compact design. I also appreciated the 100mm focal length at the short end, which makes it more versatile when using the same lens for landscape photography. This meant giving up 20% of the telephoto reach, but without making too many compromises in optical quality. It also works perfectly well on APS-C cameras, where the crop factor gives it an equivalent field of view of 150-600mm.

Let’s see how well it holds up today.

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf and a Nikon D7200)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Disclosure

I purchased this lens with my own funds at retail price. No manufacturer or distributor was involved in this review, and all opinions are our own.

Sample Images

Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400 f/6.3

Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @250 f/6

Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @130 f/5.6

Nikon D7200 | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @240 f/6

Nikon Zf | Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary | @400mm f/6.3

Continue reading Review: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary →

Meta, Thypoch, Viltrox

November / Black Friday Deals 2026

November 11, 2026 The Team 7 Comments

Introduction

Christmas is around the corner so everyone wants to sell their goods in November. The industry came up with a bunch of stuff like Single’s Day and Black Friday and many camera and lens manufacturers are also using this opportunity. In this article I will collect the deals I think are actually worthwhile.
Update Nov. 12th: Viltrox added

Thypoch

The campaign runs from October 20th until December 3rd.

Pretty much all the Thypoch lenses are discounted in their official Thypoch Webshop (affiliate link). Sadly during this promotion period you cannot use our discount code.

I reviewed all of these lenses and there is no stinker among them. The 28mm 1.4, the 50mm 1.4 and the 75mm 1.4 are my favorites and they also made it my list of the Best Fullframe Lenses from China. Unlike last year they saw significant discounts this time and they are highly recommended. The 28mm and the 75mm 1.4 are both lenses I personally bought and use.

The Ksana 35mm 2.0 only saw an 8% discount, but it is a very well balanced yet surprisingly compact 35mm 2.0 lens.

Viltrox

The Black Friday Warm Up campaign runs from Nov. 5th to 18th. The Black Friday campaign runs from Nov. 19th to Nov. 30th.

During the Black Friday campaing there will be rebates up to 20%, you can click on this link to make sure you will be reminded when it starts.

Nikon and Sony Deals at Amazon and B&H

Nikon Z8 (was $4297), now $3297 Amazon and B&H
Nikon Z6 III (was $2697), now $1997 Amazon and B&H
Nikon Z5 II (was $1847), now $1597 Amazon) and B&H
Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (was $2797), now $2597 Amazon and B&H
Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S II (was $3197), now $2997Amazon and B&H
Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 S Macro (was $1147), now $897 Amazon and B&H
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S (was $1147) now $997Amazon and B&H
Sony a7 IV (was $2498), now $1998 Amazon and B&H
Sony a7R V (was $3798), now $3498 Amazon and B&H

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Leica, Leica M, Review, Vintage

Review: Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV

November 7, 2026 BastianK 31 Comments

Introduction

summicron iv 35mm 2.0 f/2.0 35 review leica m10 m11 m9 42mp 24mp cinematic contrast sharpness rendering bokeh film analogue — Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV on Leica M10

There have been many different versions of the Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M over the years, but version “IV” – the last version without aspherical elements – seems to be especially popular, also because of its appealing form factor. Let’s have a closer look!
This lens will be reviewed on the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

Continue reading Review: Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV →

lenses, Opinion, The creative process, Vintage

Guest Post: Projector Lenses – A Drug of Choice

November 4, 2026 BastianK 5 Comments

Introduction

To paraphrase a fellow photographer from a forum – if you want the real crazy bokeh, projection lenses are the drug of choice. The following article – coming from my hobby-ist passion for vintage glass and my direct experience using it – is kind of an informal review of seven projector lenses that I got / adapted / tested / enjoyed / kept.
This is a guest post written by Alin Leanca who you can also find on flickr.

Continue reading Guest Post: Projector Lenses – A Drug of Choice →

lenses, Review

Review: Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 (Cine Lens)

November 1, 2026 Martin 8 Comments

Introduction

Today, we’re looking at the Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6, an ultra-wide-angle cine lens with an impressive maximum T-stop of T1.6. That’s a pretty fast lens for an ultra-wide-angle, especially for a cine lens.

But this lens also has a rather unusual trick up its sleeve: the same lens can be used on Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and L-mount cameras.

Let’s have a look at how it performs.

camera-icon2 I tested this lens on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf and Sony A7C II)
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.