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Sigma 400mm f/5.6
The Sigma 400mm f/5.6 photo lens is a manual focus ultra telephoto lens for full frame cameras. It has 6 aperture blades which can provide decent bokeh. It is not the best in low light conditions due to its lack of high aperture, but this can be compensated with higher ISO. The camera glass weighs 830 grams and is 204 mm long, making it a heavy lens that requires its own lens bag. It has a 72 mm lens filter diameter, which is a commonly used size. The lens is well-built and has good resolution due to its lens elements and coating. The manufacturing time of this lens is not specified. There are alternatives available in the market for this type of lens, but the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 is a good option for those looking for a manual focus ultra telephoto lens.
of the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 lens:
Positives:
As a vintage camera lens enthusiast, I purchased the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 lens for its affordable price and outstanding image quality. The lens produces sharp images with accurate colors and contrast, even wide open at f/5.6. The internal focusing mechanism is quick and precise, and the lens is made of durable materials that can withstand daily use.
Negatives:
One drawback of this lens is its weight. It is a heavy lens, which can be tiring to hold for extended periods of time. Also, the lens does not have image stabilization, which can make it challenging to use handheld in low light conditions.
Conclusion:
Overall, I am very pleased with the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 lens. It is an excellent value for its price, and it produces remarkable image quality. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive lenses, it is a reliable and affordable option for nature and wildlife photographers who want to achieve stunning images without breaking the bank.
Optical design
Not the best in low light conditions but the lack of high aperture can be compensated with higher iso Has 6 aperture blades, this number of blades are commonly used. Having rounded blades provides out of focus circle shape closer to a circle.
Physical characteristics
204 mm long, with this size carry only if you use it. With a lens filter diameter of 72 mm you are one step from the next standard filter size, buy step-up ring and bigger filter but you can chose from plenty options. Weights 830 grams so it is a heavy lens, consider using its own lens bag.
You may need these…
Adapter
Sony LA-EA3
With this adapter you can use your Sony a mount lens on Sony E (NEX) APS-C and full frame camera body
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Adapter
Fotodiox Lens Mount Adapter
With this adapter you can use your Sony a mount lens on Sony E (NEX) APS-C and full frame camera body
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allphotolenses.com –
1 allphotolenses.com user rated as 2.8/5
dyxum.com –
20 dyxum.com user rated as 4.13/5
ebay.com –
3 ebay.com user rated as 4.25/5
Ebay.com Nov 08, 2017 –
Darp, lught and precice! Must know: NO image stabilizer (IS).
Pro’s:
1. Super sharp wide open (f/5.6), both on FF 21 mpix (5D II / III ), and cropformat, 7D II.
2. Fast autofocus. When setting focus limiter to 8.5 meters, super fast!
3. Using a really sturdy tripod, can get super-sharp results even with Extender 1.4x III on the 7D II !! This is actual focal lenght 560 mm, combined with cropfactor 1.6 = gets the same framing as using approx. 900 mm on a Full Frame…
(tested with 1/8s shutter time)
This setuo needs short shutter times (or ultra-sturdy tripod). And a camera with MFA (micro focus adjust). Depth-of-field is shallow, like when used for birding. Need to hit precise, then. But this lens can really NAIL it, yes!
4. Simply lightweight for its focal lenght. Shooting handheld no problem (fast shutter and/or some support to “calm” the virwfinder comes in handy at these ‘magnification’ rates, always)
5. Super solid, tested by time.
6. Manual focus super smooth and accurate, no problem focusing ‘live view” with 10x magnification (use a tripod, yes!).
7. The integrated, retractable hood is really convenient.
Ebay.com Aug 06, 2009 –
fantastic lens I wanted a high quality telephoto lens. I owned the 70-200 f2.8 and used it with a 2x teleconverter on a 5D but the quality at 400 mm was poor.
I mostly use this lens with a 5D + tripod combination for skyline landscapes. This lens has an INCREDIBLE sharpness even at 5.6 which is the widest aperture. The quality compares totally with that of a 70-200 f2.8 L lens.
The weight is strikingly low – when I compare with my 70-200, the latter seems like a tank. The 400 5.6 is very light and handhold pictures are possible – but of course only with high shooting speed to avoid camera shake.
Compared to the price of all other long wider canon telephoto lenses, the 400 mm f5.6 has a HUGE quality-over price ratio…
I am very happy with it and will be for a long time 😉 !
Ebay.com Jun 08, 2017 –
Great lens, arrived in very good condition 400mm prime lens is very very sharp. Good for bird photography connected to Canon 7D mk ll. The lens is relatively lightweight compared to big zoom lenses which helps snap quick flying birds. Takes a little time to adjust to the 11.5 ft minimum focus length. Most birds require more space than that anyway. Overall the lens has helped take some of the sharpest shots I’ve ever taken.
Ebay.com Mar 11, 2012 –
Best value long L lens This lens produces excellent sharpness and color saturation even wide open. AF is very fast on my 10D and 1D Mk II N. Its light weight is a bonus when hiking around a race circuit or wilderness.
I’ve used a 70-200mm f/2.8 L with 2x extender with good results, but Af was relatively slow and sharpness was compromised.
I’ve also used a Tamron 200-500mm, but was disappointed with sharpness in the 400-500mm range, and saturation was not as vibrant as either the Canon 70-200 w/2x or the Canon 400 f/5.6.
I’ve considered the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L, but opted for the 400 beacuse I wanted the sharpness of a prime lens.
The only thing I wish it had was IS, but the overall image quality, light weight and price have made me happy. I carry a $60 monopod to overcome the camera shake issues that IS would solve.
Ebay.com Jun 21, 2011 –
An incredible prime super-telephoto L-series Canon lens. This review is for the Canon L-series 400mm EF USM f/5.6L Prime Lens. This lens does not come with image stabilization at the time of this review (which would be its only drawback, honestly). The lens is known as a prime lens, which means it is not a zoom lens, rather it is a permanent 400mm lens. The clarity of a prime lens is always better than it’s zoom counterparts. As this is one of Canon’s L-series lenses, it is made of the best materials known, including super UD glass and boasts quiet and super fast internal focusing (This is great, so that the outside of the lens does not turn which can disrupt your polarizing filter setting). The lens is a slower lens, that is, it does not have a large aperture opening like the f/2.8, for example. However, with a tripod, you should be able to shoot anything you are aiming at. With a monopod, you can shoot freely in good light scenarios. I recommend getting at least a monopod. The lens has a tripod mount ring on it (the smaller screw type fits this mount) that you can rotate and lock into place. The image quality on this lens is amazing, with accurate color reproduction and rich contrast. This lens is proven to be much more crisp and accurate than the 100-400mm Canon L-series zoom lens at the 400mm mark. Just take a look at the MTF charts. Also, image quality is amazing at the wide-open aperture of f/5.6. What’s more remarkable (and telling of a true high-quality professional lens like this) is that at higher f stops, like f/11, the difference in image quality when comparing the same image taken at an f/5.6 is literally unnoticeable. A great lens for nature photographers and those of you trying to catch those things that you just cannot get close enough to. Remember, this is a super-telephoto lens (not a macro lens). It’s minimum focal distance is around 12 feet. I have the Canon 28-135mm IS, the Canon 50mm f/1.8, the Canon 100-300mm f/3.5-5.6, the original Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and now this lens. It is, of course, the best of all of those lenses and quite impressive looking. I have already taken some ridiculously close-up shots of an elusive wren in my backyard. I could not be happier with this purchase. If you are considering getting a super-telephoto lens for nature/wildlife, you cannot beat this lens! Be sure to get a circular polarizing (rotating) filter or at least a UV filter for the lens to protect and enhance it. This lens is truly remarkable.