Samyang AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE Arrives with Schneider-Kreuznach Co-Engineering
LK Samyang has launched the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE, co-engineered with Schneider-Kreuznach, at approximately $1,099 USD. At 730g, it completes the brand's lightweight constant-aperture zoom trio for Sony E-mount.
LK Samyang announced the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE on June 25, 2026 — a constant-aperture telephoto zoom for Sony E-mount, co-engineered with German optical maker Schneider-Kreuznach, priced at approximately $1,099 USD and available now in select global markets.
What the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE Is and How It Works
The lens weighs 730g (1.6 lbs), which LK Samyang positions as the lightest telephoto zoom at constant F2.8 in its class for Sony E-mount.
It uses a Linear STM motor for autofocus — quiet enough for on-camera microphone use — along with a Floating Focus System designed to maintain sharpness from close focus through infinity.
A Zoom Lock function prevents zoom creep during transport and movement, which matters for run-and-gun operators who are not babysitting the barrel between shots.
The minimum focus distance is 0.35m at the wide end, with a maximum magnification of 0.26x — not a macro lens, but usable for tighter product and detail work.
Weather sealing is included, and the 77mm front filter thread matches the existing AF 14-24mm F2.8 in the same lineup. Note: the AF 24-60mm F2.8 takes 72mm filters, so one filter kit does not cover the entire trio.
Controls include focus-hold buttons, an AF/MF switch, and a USB port for firmware updates.
The Schneider-Kreuznach co-branding is worth taking at face value as a positioning signal. The German firm, founded in 1913, has a long history in high-end cinema and large-format optics. LK Samyang is using that association to pitch this zoom series above its budget prime reputation.
Whether the optics fully earn that positioning will require published review samples, none of which were available at the time of this writing.
This lens also completes what LK Samyang calls its Compact Zoom Trinity: the AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE (445g), the AF 24-60mm F2.8 FE (494g), and this new 60-180mm. Combined weight across all three lenses is approximately 1.67kg, covering 14mm through 180mm at constant F2.8.
For video creators on Sony bodies, the constant aperture means exposure stays locked during a zoom push. That is not a minor detail — variable-aperture zooms create exposure drift mid-shot, which requires correction in post.
On APS-C bodies like the Sony ZV-E10 II or Alpha APS-C lineup, the crop factor turns this into a 90-270mm equivalent — one lens covering two formats.
The one missing feature is in-lens optical stabilization. The AF 60-180mm F2.8 relies entirely on the camera's IBIS. Shooters on older Sony bodies without strong IBIS, or those working on gimbals without electronic stabilization, will feel that absence at the long end.
Competitive Context
The closest direct competitor is the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2, currently priced at approximately $1,199 USD.
The Tamron G2 includes built-in VC (optical image stabilization) and a VXD linear motor, and its minimum focus distance at the wide end is 0.3m — slightly closer than the Samyang's 0.35m.
The Samyang counters with a lighter body (730g vs 855g on the G2), a lower price, and a wider starting focal length at 60mm versus the Tamron's 70mm.
The Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II sits at approximately $2,798 USD and weighs 1,045g. It offers 20mm more reach and built-in OSS, but at roughly 2.5 times the price of the Samyang.
In North America, Samyang lenses sell under the Rokinon brand. The lenses are functionally identical — only the name on the barrel changes.
Newsshooter covered the launch with a video-production angle worth reading for shooters evaluating this for documentary or event work.
The Signal in the Noise
The 60-180mm range is a practical choice for video. The 60mm wide end is usable for environmental portraiture and medium shots, while 180mm gives enough compression for interviews and tight event coverage — without the bulk of a traditional 70-200mm.
The weight difference between this lens and the Sony GM II is 315g. Over a full shooting day, that is a meaningful gap.
The $100 USD price gap between this lens and the Tamron G2 is narrow. The real choice between them comes down to one trade-off: Samyang is lighter and cheaper, Tamron has built-in stabilization.
For shooters on Sony bodies with strong IBIS — the A7 IV, FX3, FX30, A9 III — the missing OIS is largely a non-issue. For everyone else, it is worth thinking through before purchasing.
The Schneider-Kreuznach partnership also points to a broader LK Samyang roadmap that includes a 200mm F1.8, a 300mm F4, a 20-50mm F2, and a 28-85mm F2 — all shown as prototypes at CP+ in Yokohama earlier this year. The 60-180mm is one piece of a larger system build-out, not a one-off product.
Specs & Pricing
| Focal Length | 60-180mm |
| APS-C Equivalent | 90-270mm |
| Maximum Aperture | Constant F2.8 |
| Optical Construction | 17 elements in 14 groups (1 HR, 7 ED, 2 ASP) |
| Aperture Blades | 9 |
| Autofocus | Linear STM motor |
| Focus System | Floating Focus System |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.35m (1.2 ft) at wide end |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.26x (1:3.80) |
| Weight | 730g (1.6 lbs) |
| Length | 149mm (wide) / 174.4mm (tele) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Mount | Sony FE (E-mount, full-frame) |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Zoom Lock | Yes |
| Controls | Focus-hold buttons, AF/MF switch, USB firmware port |
| In-Box | Front/rear caps, lens hood |
The AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE is priced at approximately $1,099 USD / €999 / £899. B&H Photo lists the lens as coming soon with no confirmed live USD listing at time of publication. European availability expands through LK Samyang retailers in Benelux, Germany, and Austria at the end of July 2026. Exact current pricing and availability are listed on LK Samyang's website.
