New Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 P FE expands the Prima Series prime lenses

The Transcontinenta Group introduces the Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 P FE, a new addition to the Prima Series designed for hybrid creators and everyday photographers. This compact 35mm F1.8 prime lens features upgraded optics (XHR elements, UMC II coating), fast Linear STM II autofocus, weather sealing, and USB-C connectivity for everyday photography and video creation. 

LK SAMYANG, a global optical solutions company with more than 50 years of expertise in optical technology and innovation, expands the Prima Series lineup following the introduction of the AF 35mm F1.4 P FE in 2024, and the AF 16mm F2.8 P FE and AF 85mm F1.8 P FE in 2025. Built on the philosophy of portability, practicality, and usability, the Prima Series offers creators compact and lightweight prime lenses capable of delivering reliable optical performance for both photography and video creation. 

Versatile 35mm lens for everyday creativity

The 35mm focal length has long been regarded as one of the most versatile perspectives in photography. Its natural angle of view allows creators to capture a wide variety of subjects, including street scenes, travel moments, portraits, and cinematic storytelling. The AF 35mm F1.8 P FE is designed as a practical everyday lens that combines a bright aperture with a compact form factor and dependable autofocus performance. While the AF 35mm F1.4 P FE is focused on maximum brightness and high-end optical performance, the AF 35mm F1.8 P FE offers a lighter, more compact alternative for everyday shooting. This makes it an ideal companion for photographers and content creators who prioritize portability without compromising image quality.

Compact and lightweight design

The AF 35mm F1.8 P FE continues the Prima Series philosophy of compact and portable lens design.

With a maximum diameter of Φ69.8mm and a standard 62mm filter size, the lens integrates seamlessly into lightweight shooting setups and is easy to carry throughout the day. It pairs particularly well with lightweight full-frame cameras such as the Sony α7C series and ZV-E models, making it a strong choice for travel, street photography, and hybrid content creation such as vlogging.

Bright F1.8 aperture with natural bokeh

The bright F1.8 aperture provides excellent flexibility across a wide range of lighting conditions, allowing creators to shoot confidently in both bright daylight and low-light environments. A 9-blade rounded aperture produces smooth and natural background blur, enabling expressive subject separation for portraits, lifestyle photography, and cinematic video production. This balance of brightness and portability makes the Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 P FE a practical tool for everyday creative work.

Next-generation optical and coating technology 

The AF 35mm F1.8 P FE features an advanced optical construction of 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ASP (Aspherical) elements and 2 newly developed XHR elements. These XHR (Extra High Refractive) lens elements are manufactured with higher precision than conventional high-refractive index elements, allowing for a more compact optical structure while effectively reducing optical aberrations. By incorporating XHR elements into the design, the lens achieves improved optical performance while maintaining a thinner and lighter design, delivering sharp resolution and consistent image quality across the frame.

The Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 P FE also incorporates UMC II (Ultra Multi Coating II), the next generation of LK SAMYANG’s coating technology. Compared to the previous coating system, UMC II further suppresses flare and ghosting, ensuring improved contrast and clarity even in challenging lighting environments such as strong backlight or night scenes. This upgraded coating helps deliver cleaner and more vibrant images in real-world shooting conditions.

Fast and quiet Linear STM II autofocus 

The AF 35mm F1.8 P FE is equipped with the next-generation Samyang Linear STM II autofocus motor. Combined with continuously refined firmware algorithms, the Linear STM II system delivers faster, more accurate, and quieter autofocus performance, ensuring smooth focusing transitions for both still photography and video recording. This improved autofocus system allows creators to capture dynamic scenes with greater precision and stability.

Enhanced usability for real-world shooting

The AF 35mm F1.8 P FE is designed to perform reliably in real-world shooting environments. The lens features weather sealing, helping protect it from light rain, dust, and outdoor shooting conditions. It also includes a built-in USB-C port, enabling users to easily update firmware and customize lens settings directly without the need for a separate lens station. This convenient connectivity ensures that users can keep their lens up to date while maintaining optimal performance.

Key features

• Compact and lightweight for easy everyday carry
• Bright F1.8 aperture for low-light shooting and soft bokeh
• Fast and Quiet Autofocus with Samyang Linear STM II AF-motor
• New XHR elements for sharp, clear image quality
• UMC II coating helps reduce flare and ghosting
• Weather sealing and USB-C updates for added convenience

Availability

The LK SAMYANG AF 35mm F1.8 P FE is expected to become available at Samyang retailers in the Benelux and Germany from the end of April 2026. The recommended retail price is €299.99 including VAT.

About LK SAMYANG
LK SAMYANG is a global optical solutions company with more than 50 years of expertise in optical technology and innovation. Formerly known as Samyang Optics, the company officially rebranded to LK SAMYANG in 2024 as part of its strategic transformation to expand beyond interchangeable lenses into broader optical technologies and advanced imaging solutions. Building on its long-standing heritage in manual focus lenses, LK SAMYANG has continued to expand its autofocus lens line up and strengthen its optical engineering capabilities for modern photographers and filmmakers. Today, LK SAMYANG develops a wide range of optical products including interchangeable lenses, cinema lenses, and specialized optical systems, delivering high-quality imaging solutions to creators around the world.