| Photo: Chris Konesky / LK Samyang |
LK Samyang has announced the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE, a compact and versatile lens for Sony full-frame systems. The new lens joins the company’s AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE and AF 24-60mm F2.8 FE lenses, completing the trio of lightweight zoom lenses designed in collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach.
Like the other two lenses in the set, the 60-180mm offers a constant F2.8 maximum aperture and a compact, lightweight design. It weighs just 730 g (1.6 lbs), which LK Samyang says is the lightest in its class. For comparison, while it offers a slightly different range, Sony’s 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II weighs 1045g (2.3 lbs). LK Samyang’s lens is also lighter than the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2, which comes in at 810 g (1.8 lbs).
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The lens uses an external zoom design, with a difference of 25mm (roughly 1″) when zooming in or out all the way. Photo: Chris Konesky / LK Samyang |
The lens consists of 17 elements in 14 groups. These include one high-refractive, seven extra-low dispersion and two aspherical elements, aimed at minimizing aberrations and helping produce sharp images. It uses an extending zoom design, with the length increasing from 149mm (5.9″) at the wide end to 174mm (6.9″) when zoomed in.
The 60-180mm F2.8 features a floating focus system to help maintain image quality across the focus range. At the wide end, it offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.35m (1.2′) and a maximum magnification of 0.26x (a ratio of 1:3.8), making it useful for close-up images. A linear stepping motor drives its autofocus system, which LK Samyang says is quiet and precise.
In terms of lens controls, it features an AF/MF switch and a zoom lock to keep the zoom constant even when moving. It accepts 77mm filters, the same as the LK Samyang 14-24mm F2.8 lens. Unfortunately, the 24-60mm F2.8 lens takes 72mm filters, so one set of filters won’t be compatible with the entire lens set. There’s also a USB port for firmware updates and weather sealing.
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The 60-180mm F2.8 joins the 14-24mm F2.8 and 24-60mm F2.8, completing what LK Samyang calls “The Perfect F2.8 Trinity System.” Photo: Horia Vlad Bogdan / LK Samyang |
The lens is only available for E-mount for now. However, LK Samyang recently released an L-mount version of the 14-24mm, and it says that the series will “continue to grow with L-mount.” It isn’t clear when we can expect it, but L-mount users should be able to count on the full trio coming to their system at some point.
The LK Samyang AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE lens is available for purchase starting today, though it hasn’t specified a price. The company also says it will gradually launch across global markets with no set dates for specific regions.
LK SAMYANG Introduces AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE Completing an Ultra-Light Compact Zoom System with Three Lenses
Key Message
- Only 730g, exceptional lightweight performance in its class
- Constant F2.8 and 0.26x magnification for enhanced versatility
- Seamless focal range coverage from 14mm to 180mm with just three lenses
July 02, 2026 – South Korea, LK SAMYANG, a global optical specialist, announces the upcoming launch of the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE, developed in collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach, scheduled for release this July.
As camera and lens performance continues to advance, the burden of heavier gear has also increased. Carrying multiple lenses to cover a wide focal range remains a challenge for creators. LK SAMYANG set out to rethink this balance with a simple question: “What if you could carry less, capture more, without compromising performance?”. This philosophy led to the development of the “Compact Zoom Series” in collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach aimed at redefining the balance between performance and portability. The new AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE further extends this vision.
Together with the AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE (445g) and AF 24-60mm F2.8 FE (494g), the new lens
completes a truly lightweight zoom system, covering the entire focal range from 14mm to 180mm using just three lenses. Each lens in the series reflects LK SAMYANG’s consistent design philosophy delivering compact size, reduced weight, and practical usability without compromise.
Key Features
A New Standard in Lightweight Telephoto Zoom: Only 730g
The AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE weighs 730g and features a compact length of 149mm (wide) / 174.4mm (tele), offering exceptional portability within the F2.8 telephoto zoom category. Compared to traditional 70-200mm lenses, its significantly lighter design reduces fatigue during extended shooting sessions and enhances mobility in dynamic environments.
Constant F2.8 with Enhanced Close-Up Capability
With a constant F2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, the lens ensures stable performance in low-light conditions and delivers smooth background separation, making it ideal for portrait photography. It also offers a maximum magnification of 0.26x (1:3.80), enabling detailed close-up shots and expanding creative possibilities across various shooting scenarios.
Compact Zoom Series, Co-Engineered with Schneider-Kreuznach
Developed in collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach, the AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE embodies the core philosophy of the Compact Zoom Series, balancing optical performance and portability. The advanced optical design consists of 17 elements in 14 groups (including 1 HR, 7 ED, and 2 ASP elements), effectively minimizing aberrations while delivering sharp and clear images. A floating focus system ensures consistent image quality across the entire focus range.
Designed for Real-World Use
Equipped with a Linear Stepping Motor, the lens delivers fast and precise autofocus, making it suitable for both photography and video applications. Weather sealing enhances durability across various environments, while intuitive controls such as the AF/MF switch improve usability. In addition, the Zoom Lock function prevents unwanted zoom extension (zoom creep) during movement, keeping the lens securely in place. This ensures stable handling and a consistent user experience from transport to shooting.
Lightweight Coverage from 14mm to 180mm
The AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE expands the design philosophy of the Compact Zoom Series, enabling creators to cover a wide focal range with minimal weight. With three lenses weighing approximately 445g, 494g, and 730g, users can achieve seamless coverage from 14mm to 180mm while maintaining exceptional portability.
Availability
The LK SAMYANG AF 60-180mm F2.8 FE lens will be available for purchase starting today, with sales gradually launching across global markets through LK SAMYANG’s distribution network and authorized retailers. (For more information, please visit www.lksamyang.com)