Samyang / Rokinon AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE

The Samyang AF 60-180mm F2.8 is a compact telephoto zoom with constant F2.8 aperture for full frame mirrorless cameras. Samyang announced the Sony E-mount version on 25 June 2026 and the L-mount version followed on 27 August 2026. It was developed together with Schneider-Kreuznach and completes the three-lens Compact Zoom Series with the AF 14-24mm F2.8 and AF 24-60mm F2.8. It is aimed at portrait, event, travel and wedding shooters who want a lighter alternative to a 70-200 mm F2.8.

Optical design

The lens has 17 elements in 14 groups, including one high refractive (HR), seven extra-low dispersion (ED) and two aspherical (ASP) elements, with UMC coating. A floating focus design is meant to keep image quality consistent across the zoom range and focus distances. The aperture runs from F2.8 to F22 with nine blades. The minimum focus distance is 35 cm at 60 mm and 79 cm at 180 mm, with magnifications of 0.26x and 0.21x. The angle of view on full frame ranges from 39.6 to 13.7 degrees.

Autofocus and handling

A Linear STM stepping motor drives autofocus. Controls include an AF/MF switch, a customizable focus hold button, a zoom lock switch against zoom creep, and a USB port for firmware updates. The lens is weather sealed, though Samyang notes this does not guarantee dust or splash proofing. No optical stabilizer is listed, so stabilization must come from the camera body.

Build and size

The E-mount version weighs 730 g and is 149 mm long at 60 mm and 174.4 mm at 180 mm. The L-mount version weighs 728 g with lengths of 147 mm and 172.4 mm. Both are 86.7 mm in diameter and take 77 mm filters. Samyang notes that the three Compact Zoom lenses together weigh about 1.67 kg and cover 14 to 180 mm at F2.8.

Where it fits

In our database, the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD weighs 815 g and the stabilized G2 version 855 g. The Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II weighs 1045 g and the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports 1345 g, and the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS II weighs 794 g. For L-mount, the Panasonic Lumix S Pro 70-200 F2.8 O.I.S. weighs 1570 g. The Samyang starts 10 mm wider at 60 mm.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Constant F2.8 at 730 g (728 g for L-mount)
• 60 mm wide end for more flexibility than a 70-200 mm
• Zoom lock, AF/MF switch and USB port
• Weather sealed barrel

Cons

• No optical stabilizer
• 180 mm is shorter than the 200 mm of a 70-200 mm
• Minimum focus of 79 cm at the long end
• Longer than 170 mm when zoomed in

Verdict

The AF 60-180mm F2.8 is one of the lightest F2.8 telephoto zooms for E-mount and L-mount in our database. Its lack of stabilization and shorter reach are the trade-offs for the weight saving.