Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary - Nikon F

The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary for Nikon F is a full-frame telephoto zoom lens covering 100–400mm with optical image stabilisation, HSM autofocus, a 67mm filter thread, 9-blade aperture, and a minimum focus distance of 1.6m — all in a body weighing 1160 grams.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 100–400mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/5 (wide) – f/6.3 (tele)
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Aperture Blades: 9 (rounded)
• Image Stabilisation: Yes (Sigma OS)
• Autofocus: Yes — Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
• Minimum Focus Distance: 1.6m
• Filter Thread: 67mm
• Weight: 1160g
• Lens Mount: Nikon F

What makes the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary special?

Within Sigma's Contemporary line, this lens sits in a sweet spot: it delivers consistent optical performance across the entire zoom range without the bulk of a 150–600mm. Reviews consistently highlight that sharpness holds up surprisingly well at 400mm — a focal length where many budget telephoto zooms start to fall apart. At 100mm and f/5, image quality is very good; at the tele end, central sharpness is genuinely strong for a lens in this class.

The closest rival you'll see come up in comparisons is the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD, which shares a similar zoom range and weight class on Nikon F. Both are capable wildlife and sports lenses, but the Sigma's build quality and optical consistency have earned it a strong reputation among shooters who tested both side by side. If you want more reach, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is the natural step up — though that comes with considerably more weight and a larger footprint.

The 67mm filter thread is worth flagging: it's smaller than you might expect from a 400mm lens, which keeps costs down when you need a polariser or ND filter for wildlife photography. The 9-blade rounded aperture also contributes to smooth background separation when shooting subjects at distance — handy when you're trying to isolate a bird or animal against a busy treeline.

Who is the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary for?

This lens is built for photographers who shoot wildlife, birds, and sports with a DSLR and want meaningful reach without renting a lorry to carry their kit. At 1160 grams it's genuinely hand-holdable for extended sessions — something you can't say about most 400mm-plus zooms.

Wildlife photographers will appreciate the 1.6m minimum focus distance, which lets you fill the frame with smaller subjects like insects or birds perched nearby, not just animals 50 metres away. Pair it with a Nikon D500 or Nikon D7500 and the crop factor gives you an effective 600mm equivalent — a serious setup for birding trips without a serious price tag.

Safari and travel shooters find the zoom range flexible enough to cover everything from landscape-scale shots at 100mm to distant animal portraits at 400mm without swapping glass. If you're heading somewhere like a national park where distances to subjects are unpredictable, having that range in a single lens is genuinely practical.

Sports and action photographers on a budget get HSM autofocus — Sigma's ultrasonic motor — which tracks moving subjects quickly and quietly. Full-time manual override means you can fine-tune focus without flipping a switch, which matters when the action is fast.

Buying a used Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

Picking up this lens second-hand makes a lot of sense. It's a well-built Contemporary-series optic that handles regular use without showing wear quickly. When buying pre-owned, here's what to check:

• OS switch: Test both OS modes — you should feel and hear a subtle click when switching, and the stabilisation should engage smoothly when half-pressing the shutter.
• Zoom action: The zoom ring should feel smooth and consistent across the full 100–400mm range with no grinding or stiffness. This is a push-pull style zoom on some variants — confirm which style you're buying and that it feels right.
• AF motor: Run the HSM autofocus through its paces on a moving subject. It should hunt minimally and lock quickly in good light.
• Front element and barrel: At 400mm, the front element extends significantly — check for any scratches or dust ingress near the inner barrel edges.
• 67mm filter thread: Inspect for dents or cross-threading, as a damaged thread makes adding ND or polariser filters a headache in the field.

Every used lens sold on Camera-tweedehands.nl is professionally inspected and individually photographed so you can see exactly what you're getting. All items come with a minimum 12 months warranty — the exact term is shown on the variant listing.