About half a year ago, Samyang has launched their “Lens King” – the 85mm F1.8 FE for the E-mount, giving a good run for your money compared to the Sony-make. The question is, with a 10mm less in focal length, can this 75mm make any sense?
When Samyang launched the E-mount version of the AF 75mm F1.8 FE lens, the first impression we have is that it’s made for portrait photography. But as mentioned earlier, they already have the “Lens King” – 85mm, so, with just 10mm shorter focal length, is this the “Lens Prince”? When we look at the details from the press releases, there are more details than meet the eys for this lens.
It looks like this lens falls under the “Tiny but Almighty AF Series”, not to compete with the 85mm big brother. This new lens is tiny no.5, along with the 35mm F2.8 FE, 18mm F2.8, 24mm F2.8, and 45mm. The 75mm weighs just 230g, making it the lightest and smallest autofocus 75mm lens currently on the market. It is compact and lightweight, with excellent performance and versatility, adding a telephoto focal length which is ideal for portraits.
Innovation in Size
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.
Legendary 75mm Focal Length Portraits
According to Samyang, the 75mm focal length was legendary for portraits in the past and they are the first brand to bring it back for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It effectively isolates the subject from, but still includes enough background compose a good picture. It also helps maintain a comfortable distance between the photographer and subject, making this lens a perfect partner for both interior and exterior environments.
Creamy Bokeh & Shallow Depth
Samyang’s unique manufacturing technology has achieved a complete optical design, namely the shape, colour, border, and chromatic aberration. This lets user experience beautiful bokeh that is not simply by chance but carefully engineered. As for the depth of field, it does not only come from the aperture usage. Samyang’s unique optical design, which shows a completely different depth of field with similar angle of view and aperture, will make the photographer’s daily photos stand out.
Auto Focus, Built Quality and Functionality
The AF 75mm F1.8 FE lens utilises a new Stepping Motor (STM) for fast, quiet and accurate focusing, not only great for photography works, it is as good in video works as well. The 75mm was designed based on a total of 10 elements in 9 groups, Samyang uses 5 special elements (3 Extra-Low Dispersion and 2 High Refractive) to create results with incredible sharpness, low chromatic aberration, and minimal distortion. To double-up the functionality of the focusing ring, Samyang has introduced a ‘Custom Switch’, which allows the user to adjust the aperture by using the focus ring.
The local distributor, Futuromic AV Sdn Bhd said the lens will be available in May 2019 (tentative) for the price of RM1,790.
Specifications
Model
Aperture Range: F1.8 ~ 22
Lens optical: Construction 10 Elements in 9 Groups + 3 Extra Dispersion, 2 High Refractive
Coating: UMC
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.69m (2.26ft)
Magnification Ratio: x 0.13
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Filter Size: 58.0mm
Maximum Diameter: 65mm
Mount: Sony FE
Length: 69mm
Weight: 230g
AF Motor: Linear STM
Sample images of the AF 75mm F1.8 FE from this lens from various photographers.
©Jeon Jeung Hyun using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Jeon Jeung Hyun using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Jeon Jeung Hyun using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Nic Taylor using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Nic Taylor using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Ryad Guelmaoui using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Tom Halliday using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Tom Halliday using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE 
©Tom Halliday using the AF 75mm F1.8 FE