A comprehensive field test of three Sigma zoom lenses at the Washington State Fair has provided valuable insights into their real-world performance capabilities. Professional photographer Michael Sladek documented his experience using the Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 Contemporary, 10-18mm f/2.8 Contemporary, and 17-40mm f/1.8 Art lenses throughout an entire day of shooting at the fair, capturing everything from candid portraits to documentary-style images.
The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 Contemporary served as Sladek's primary lens for most of the day, offering exceptional versatility with its extensive focal range. This all-in-one solution allowed him to capture close-up shots of barbecue workers at 172mm and frame a child's awards ceremony at 300mm without needing to switch lenses or intrude on the scene. The lens proved particularly effective for portraits, environmental shots, and storytelling photography during daylight hours when its variable aperture wasn't as limiting.
However, the 16-300mm lens showed its limitations as lighting conditions changed. At the telephoto end of 300mm, the maximum aperture of f/6.7 proved challenging for low-light situations, forcing Sladek to rely on his other lenses once daylight began to fade. Additionally, the autofocus system struggled when tracking fast-moving subjects, particularly children playing on slides and other dynamic fair activities.
When darkness fell, Sladek switched to the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 Contemporary for creative night photography. Using this ultra-wide lens with a tripod and an 8-stop neutral density filter, he captured long exposures showcasing light trails and the layered movement of carnival attractions. Sladek described this shooting experience as both enjoyable and slightly addictive, noting how each attempt produced different rhythms of glowing shapes and patterns throughout the fairgrounds.
The third lens in the kit, the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 Art, provided superior image quality and low-light performance when conditions demanded it. Sladek paired this lens with a white mist filter, though he found the quarter-strength filter too heavy for his preferences and plans to switch to a 1/8 strength filter for future shoots. This lens excelled at capturing intimate details, such as a fairgoer's spoon and fork tucked discretely into a pocket, as well as abstract bokeh shots of carnival lights.
Throughout his documentation, Sladek emphasized the importance of understanding when different focal lengths and lens characteristics serve the story best. Some moments benefit from the reach and compression that telephoto lenses provide, while others require the context that wide-angle lenses offer, or the abstraction possible with specific aperture and bokeh characteristics. His field test demonstrated both the practical advantages and real-world limitations of each lens in the Sigma lineup.
The comprehensive test revealed that while the 16-300mm lens offers remarkable convenience for event photography, photographers must be prepared to work within its aperture limitations and occasional autofocus challenges. The specialized performance of the 10-18mm and 17-40mm lenses proved essential for specific creative applications that the all-in-one zoom couldn't handle effectively. This real-world evaluation provides valuable guidance for photographers considering similar lens combinations for documentary and event photography.
