Samyang unveils compact Prima AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE at CP+ 2026

Weighing just 210 g and measuring 65 mm in diameter by 63.5 mm in length, the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE was showcased informally at Japan’s CP+ 2026. The compact full-frame 35mm prime supports Sony E mount and carries Samyang’s Prima-series branding, positioning the lens as a lightweight option for mirrorless shooters who want an f/1.8 aperture in a truly small package.

Samyang’s initial spec highlights include a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and an optical design that incorporates an aspherical element to reduce aberration. One report summarized the company claim that "the new lens provides outstanding corner-to-corner image quality from a maximum F1.8 aperture and its quiet autofocus and tenacious tracking performance make it a great choice for both stills and movie shooting." That same coverage lists the Linear STM stepping motor as the autofocus driver, a design choice Petapixel paraphrased as "swiftly and quietly handles large focus groups with exceptional accuracy."

The Prima name and design intent were emphasized in Phototrend coverage, which noted "the name 'Prima' was chosen as it draws inspiration from the Latin word which means 'first' or 'important.'" Phototrend also reported Samyang designed the Prima lenses around three words - portability, practicality, and convenience - and highlighted a new "Custom Switch" on the AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE for versatile handling aimed at street photographers, vloggers and Instagrammers.

Petapixel's report singled out video-friendly details, noting that "Samyang says the lens 'expertly' minimizes focus breathing too, which means it will work well for both photo and video applications." That phrasing follows other coverage pitching the lens for portraits, travel and street work, and points to the combination of f/1.8 speed, quiet Linear STM AF and minimized focus breathing as the technical selling points for mixed stills and movie use.

Market and lineage notes ran alongside the CP+ reveal. Brian-Smith’s announcement-style copy listed a U.S. price of $399 for a 35mm f/1.8 FE variant, and PhotoRumors/Phototrend noted the new model is "almost identical to the existing AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE and AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE lenses from the Prima series." Petapixel also recorded a corporate update: "This past March, the South Korean-based Samyang officially changed its name to LK Samyang." Distribution comments include the line "In the US, some LK Samyang lenses are also sold under the Rokinon brand. In Europe, Smyang lenses are sold at Foto Erhardt and WEX Photo."

Sources mixed some details between the new f/1.8 and Samyang’s separate AF 35mm f/1.4 P, so certain claims remain ambiguous in available copy. For example, Petapixel explicitly states the AF 35mm f/1.4 P is weather-sealed and has a USB port for firmware updates, while the lightweight 210 g, 65 x 63.5 mm dimensions have been tied to the f/1.8 Prima model in other reports. Earlier hands-on reviews of a 35mm f/1.8 model released in October 2020 were cited by Lesdeuxpiedsdehors for practical user notes, including praise that "the autofocus is really good. It is fast, quiet and works really well," but those comments refer to the older 2020 release rather than the CP+ 2026 Prima variant.

Samyang’s compact AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE now sits alongside the Prima and Tiny Series lineage as a lightweight 35mm option shown at CP+ 2026; detailed official specs, regional availability windows and confirmed feature attributions were not published with the informal showcase.