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

November 11, 2026 Martin 1 Comment

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 →

Leica, Leica M, Review, Vintage

Review: Leica 35mm 2.0 Summicron-M IV

November 7, 2026 BastianK 23 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.

Disclosure

Sirui kindly provided this lens for testing and review purposes.

Sample Images

Sony A7C II | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6

Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T11

Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T8

Sony A7C II | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T1.6

Nikon Zf | Sirui Vision Prime 15mm T1.6 | T1.6

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

Review, Sony E-mount, Viltrox

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE

October 29, 2026 BastianK 9 Comments

Introduction

viltrox 35mm 1.4 pro fe af bokeh master gm sony 42mp 61mp a7rii a7riv a7riii a1 a9iii a7rv review resolution sharpness contrast bokeh vignetting coma astrophotography z6 z7 z8 z9 — Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE on Sony A7rII

Viltrox offers several different lens lineups: positioned at the top is the “LAB” series, slightly below that the “Pro” series. I already reviewed the Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 Pro FE and the Viltrox AF 85mm 1.4 Pro FE – offering very good performance at an affordable pricepoint – and this time we will be having a look at the latest Viltrox AF 35mm 1.4 Pro FE.