Samyang/Rokinon AF 75mm f/1.8 FE Lens Officially Announced

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Samyang, also known as Rokinon, has announced the new small and compact AF 75mm f/1.8 FE portrait lens for Sony E-mount full frame mirrorless cameras. The Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE Lens is only 230g in weight and 69mm in height, this makes it one of the lightest portrait lenses on the market – and Samyang claims to be the lightest specifically at 75mm. And this lens will be available for less than $400.

This Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE Len is the 5th member of Samyang’s “Tiny but Almighty” AF series lenses, which joins Samyang’s AF 18mm, 24mm, 35mm f/2.8 and 45mm f/1.8 models.

Samyang/Rokinon AF 75mm f/1.8 FE Lens Key Specifications:

  • Aperture range: f/1.8 to f/22
  • Angle of view: 32.9 ˚
  • Lens optical construction: 10 elements in 9 groups
  • Minimum focusing distance: 0.69m (2.26ft)
  • Filter size: 58 mm
  • Number of blades: 9
  • Diameter: 2.56” (65 mm)
  • Length: 2.72 “ (69 mm)
  • Weight: 8 oz (230 g)

Optimized for portraits and everyday photography, the AF 75mm F1.8 FE is compact, lightweight, yet has great performance and versatility. It’s only 230g, so it’s perfect for taking photos on a variety of topics anytime, anywhere. The optical system is sophisticatedly designed with Samyang’s original optical technology, providing excellent resolution from corner to corner of the image to the surroundings. In particular, the large diameter of F1.8 presents a large and beautiful bokeh, the bokeh is more clean and the background blur is more calm by correcting various aberrations and designing the optimal optical path.

Thanks to the new Stepping Motor (STM), AF performance is quiet and accurate, allowing you to take more natural portraits. Also, here comes the new Custom Switch! You can switch to Aperture Control Mode according to Modes 1 and 2, and you will be able to select more various shooting modes with the upcoming firware updates. Experience Samyang’s next-generation lens in new angle of view.

For more details and sample images, check out the Samyang website.

Press Release:

SAMYANG launches New AF 75mm F1.8 FE – ‘Tiny but Absolute’ Portrait Lens for Sony E Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

From Samyang: April 20th 2020, Seoul, South Korea – Global optics brand Samyang Optics announces the launch of its telephoto AF 75mm F1.8 FE, a perfect portrait and event lens. This new lens weighs just 230g (without lens-hood or cap), making it the lightest and smallest autofocus 75mm lens currently on the market.

The new Samyang AF 75mm F1.8 FE pursues the ‘minimalist’ lifestyle goal. It is compact and lightweight, with excellent performance and versatility. Sophisticated optics created by Samyang’s unique technology effectively control spherical aberrations, while maintaining outstanding resolution and beautiful bokeh. The lens delivers fast, quiet and accurate autofocusing, using a new Linear Stepping Motor (STM) – the Samyang AF system can easily turn any moment into a work of art you can experience. Also, the newly developed custom-mode switch allows you to control the function of the focus ring to your own preference. Experience Samyang’s next-generation lens with this new angle of view and AF system.

This new lens is the 5th member of Samyang’s “Tiny but Almighty” AF Series. These lenses are the result of Samyang’s response to growing needs and market trends. According to the Camera & Imaging Products Association’s report of December 2019, the value of mirrorless camera sales increased in 2019 (compared to the previous year) which means that the interest in more advanced mirrorless cameras is on the rise. To lead the trend, Samyang introduced their “Tiny but Almighty” AF series in June 2017, with the AF 35mm F2.8 FE, weighing just 85.6g and 33mm in length, but producing outstanding image quality for full-frame cameras. The series has been expanded with the 18mm F2.8, 24mm F2.8, and 45mm F1.8 models – all being autofocus lenses for full-frame Sony E mount cameras. The latest AF 75mm F1.8 FE joins this blockbuster series, adding a telephoto focal length which is ideal for portraits.

Main Features

Innovation in Size: Surprisingly Small but Complete!

Many new lenses are being released alongside smaller and lighter mirrorless cameras, but it is difficult to find telephoto lenses that have been designed specifically to match the compact nature of full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Samyang’s AF 75mm F1.8 FE reduces the burden on the photographer with its incredibly light weight of 230g and maximises portability, in a compact size that fits perfectly with mirrorless cameras. Now you can capture high quality photos with a small portrait lens that you can easily carry around.

Enjoy the Legendary 75mm Focal Length Portraits

Samyang has studied numerous focal lengths in order to develop the most suitable compact lens for impressive portraits. The 75mm focal length was legendary for portraits in the past and Samyang is the first brand to bring it back for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It effectively isolates the subject, but still includes enough background to tell a story. It also helps maintain a comfortable distance between the photographer and subject, making this lens a perfect partner for both interior and exterior environments.

Beautiful Bokeh (which cannot be captured by a smartphone)

Samyang’s unique manufacturing technology has achieved a complete optical design, considering everything from shape, colour, border and chromatic aberration. This lets you experience beautiful bokeh that is not simply obtained, but carefully designed.

Shallow Depth of Focus Creates Dramatic Portraits

Depth of field does not only come from the aperture. Samyang’s unique optical design, which shows a completely different depth of field with similar angle of view and aperture, will make every-day photos really stand out.

Small but Absolute Optics: 10 Elements Including 5 Special Optics

With a total of 10 elements in 9 groups, Samyang use 5 special elements (3 Extra Low Dispersion and 2 High Refractive) to create results with incredible sharpness, low chromatic aberration and minimal distortion.

Advanced Auto Focus System

In accordance with technology, Samyang take into consideration both still images as well as video – the AF 75mm F1.8 FE lens utilises a new Stepping Motor (STM) for fast, quiet and accurate focusing, helping the user to capture priceless moments effortlessly.

Custom Switch

The focus adjustment ring normally performs no function when using the lens in AF mode. To increase the usefulness of this ring, Samyang has introduced a ‘Custom Switch’, which allows the user to adjust the iris (aperture) by using the focus ring. The Custom Switch, allows operation as a traditional camera lens and can be further customised via firmware updates, using Samyang’s optional USB Lens Station.