Sigma are walking the line of affordable and high quality again, this time with a long telephoto lens for Sony E and L-Mount.
A long telephoto zoom lens has traditionally been difficult to get unless you have deep pockets or a good way to justify the purchase. The times are changing, however, and it's becoming cheaper and more appealing with every passing month. Sigma are known for creating some great senses, included in that are some strong zoom options, and now they're offering a 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary for Sony E (and L-mount.) Sony already offers the same focal lengths albeit with slightly better widest apertures, but there's a catch; well, several.
Sony's FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is 2.5x the price (at $2,498 compared to the Sigma's staggeringly good $949) and is significantly heavier (1,395 g to Sigma's 1,135 g.) Now, the Sony 100-400mm is very well received and established as an excellent telephoto zoom, so the question really is whether it can justify being so much more expensive. I'd warn you against reading too much into the B&H solo review of the Sigma as their chief grievance is that the tripod collar is an optional extra. There do seem to be a few concerns over just how sharp the results of this lens are, however. Though, seemingly nothing major and for this price.
What are your thoughts on this lens? Will you be picking up a copy?
Really struggling to see why I'd buy that lens over the Sony 200-600, which I positively love using.
Sure, it covers the gap from 105-200 (I also use a 24-105) but so does walking usually ;-)
the lack of weather sealing in the barrel is a major deficit in a lens of this type.