Samyang surprised everyone at the IBC show in Amsterdam. Alongside the official presentation of its brand-new 24-60 mm f/2.8 and Xeen cinema lenses, the South Korean manufacturer discreetly exhibited, under glass, two prototypes of zooms designed for Sony E full-frame hybrids. Two mockups that hint at the brand’s ambitions for the coming years.
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Two f/2.8 E-mount zooms scheduled for 2026
We were able to discover two future lenses: an AF 60-180 mm f/2.8 FE and an AF 28-135 mm f/2.8 FE.
Both are scheduled for launch in 2026. While no technical specifications have yet been released, these mock-ups already reveal several key points: external zoom, surprisingly contained size, and constant f/2.8 aperture. Enough to pique the curiosity of photographers and videographers alike.
Samyang AF 60-180 mm f/2.8 FE: to compete with established telezooms
The first prototype, a 60-180 mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens, would occupy a strategic position. Until now, this focal range has been dominated by several essential E-mount references:
- the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2, acclaimed for its excellent compactness/optical quality ratio;
- the Sony FE 70-200 mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, a professional reference that is both powerful and expensive;
- and the latest Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports, which combines top-level optical quality, high-performance autofocus and integrated stabilization, all in a larger but very competitive package.
By offering a zoom starting at 60 mm rather than 70 mm, Samyang would be offering greater versatility, particularly interesting for portraiture or reportage. It remains to be seen whether the brand will be able to compete in terms of autofocus and optical stabilization, two decisive criteria in this category.
Samyang AF 28-135 mm f/2.8 FE: a new zoom lens on the market
The second prototype is even more intriguing: a 28-135 mm f/2.8 FE. This highly versatile focal range is already covered by the Sony FE PZ 28-135 mm f/4 G OSS, widely used in professional video.
But Samyang’s proposal is even more ambitious: to keep the aperture constant at f/2.8, i.e. an extra stop of light, invaluable in low light and for even greater background blur.
There are 24-70 mm f/2.8s, 70-180 mm f/2.8s and 24-105 mm f/4s, but none with such a wide aperture.
If Samyang can keep the weight down and distortion under control, it could be a unique solution for documentary, wedding or news photographers looking for a bright, versatile zoom.
In fact, it’s impossible not to think of the Samyang AF 35-150 mm f/2-2.8 FE unveiled by the manufacturer in April 2023, which combined large aperture and extended focal range to replace several fixed focal lengths, like the “original” model, released in 2021 by Tamron.
14-24 mm f/2.8 and 24-60 mm f/2.8 in L mount
Finally, Samyang took advantage of its presence at IBC to talk about L-mount, which the manufacturer joined in 2023. The Samyang AF 14-24 mm f/2.8 FE ultra-wide-angle zoom will be available in L-mount, as will the new 24-60 mm f/2.8. The only unknown factor remains the L-mount release date, given that Panasonic unveiled a Lumix S 24-60 mm f/2.8 a few months ago.
We’ll be back in 2026 to find out more. But one thing is certain: with these prototypes, Samyang is sending out a strong signal and promises to liven up the already hotly contested Sony E-mount, and flesh out the L-mount with new proposals.
