Since bursting onto the images scene from seemingly nowhere, Thypoch instantly made waves within the images group by difficult Leica‘s legendary lenses for construct high quality and optical capabilities – however aiming to take action at a fraction of Leica’s hefty costs.
The primary two lenses from Thypoch in its Simera vary are twin wide-aperture prime lenses – the Simera 28mm f/1.4 and Simera 35mm f/1.4 lenses. So the vary is pretty restricted proper now, however as Thypoch has shortly launched the Eureka 50mm lens, in addition to increasing the Simera lenses to most different lens mounts, we could be on the cusp of much more lenses from Thypoch within the coming months.
It is fairly clear simply how impressed by Leica’s lenses Thypoch is, because the Simera lenses borrow plenty of design queues from Leica, though there’s sufficient new right here that they cannot simply be dismissed as low-cost knockoffs.
So let’s have a look and see if the Simera lens can compete, or if Leica’s specific magic is simply too laborious to mimic.
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4: Specs
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Lens Mount
Leica M (additionally obtainable in Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X)
Most Aperture
f/1.4
Minimal Aperture
f/16
Angle of View
64°
Minimal Focus Distance
1.3′ / 0.4 m
Optical Design
9 Parts in 5 Teams
Diaphragm Blades
14
Focus
Guide Focus
Filter Dimension
49 mm
Dimension
2.1 x 2″ / 54 x 50.8 mm
Weight
11.5 oz / 325.5 g
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 ASPH: Worth
When in comparison with any Leica alternate options, the Thypoch Simera 35mm gives wonderful worth for cash and is priced very competitively with guide focus lenses from different producers. Though excluding just a few firms like Voitlander, there are usually not many lenses that fairly have the identical really feel and construct high quality because the Simera. And even coming near Leica’s costly lenses by way of high quality, makes it a gorgeous choice for photographers searching for a high-performing prime lens with out breaking the financial institution.
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4: Design & Dealing with
The Simera 35mm lens boasts a modern, all-metal physique in both all-black or a two-tone silver model. The physique is fabricated from an aluminum alloy, slightly than brass like some Leica lenses, or the newer Thypoch Eureka lens. However this metallic building exudes sturdiness and a premium really feel that feels prefer it belongs to a lens that ought to value considerably extra.
That is no light-weight polycarbonate lens, however regardless of the premium metallic supplies, the lens nonetheless manages to be comparatively compact and light-weight, making it a superb companion for avenue and journey images, and weightier merchandise are par for the course with Leica cameras and lenses.
The main target ring is easy and well-damped, making guide focusing simple and exact, and it feels important to remind everybody that it is a guide focus-only lens (for a guide focus-only digicam). The main target ring has raised and textured bumps, that not solely do aesthetically look very good but additionally assist with discovering and gripping the ring.
The one factor I don’t actually like in regards to the focus mechanism is the infinity lock change. It is a little catch that locks the main target in infinity, nevertheless, I discover it is extremely not often essential to do this, and actually, it slows down focusing in key moments as I saved discovering myself struggling to launch the catch. The main target rocker on Leica lenses is a lot simpler to make use of, and I’m glad to see that for the non-M variations of this lens, Thypoch has used that design, though alas the present M-mount Simera continues to be made with the infinity lock change.
Shifting on to considered one of my favourite design thrives I’ve seen on a lens in a very long time – the depth of area indicator. It is a sequence of dots on the lens which might be stuffed in with a crimson background to point the space from the lens that shall be in focus relying on the aperture used. It could be a type of options that must be seen to actually admire, however it’s only a great flourish that I actually love about this lens.
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4: Efficiency
When it comes to picture high quality, the Simera 35mm lens shocked me quite a bit. It delivers sharp, crisp photographs with minimal distortion. The lens handles chromatic aberrations properly, and the colour copy is correct.
As with all guide focus lenses, it’s usually laborious to tell apart if the lens just isn’t sharp or if I’ve missed focus, however on the entire, middle sharpness was usually superb, with the lens capturing some stunning element, particularly shut up. In direction of the perimeters, the lens was just a little gentle huge open, though this is not solely surprising, and the perimeters did sharpen up significantly because the aperture was narrowed.
One of many key options of a Leica lens is the distinctive ‘Leica Look’ and whereas I gained’t say this lens replicates any Leica 35mm lens precisely, the lens has a Leica-esque distinctive contrasty look to its photographs, that I’d affiliate with Leica, and on-line, I don’t assume anybody would be capable of inform the distinction. I believe you might simply combine and match with another Leica lenses in your assortment and they’d mix fairly seamlessly collectively.
The lens’ quick f/1.4 most aperture is right for low-light circumstances, and as Leica M cameras do not need IBIS, having the ability to shoot with quicker shutter speeds in these conditions is pretty important. The broader aperture additionally achieves a shallow depth of area, and at f/1.4 aperture the background blur and topic isolation have been actually pleasing, with Leica-like softness in out-of-focus areas.
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4: Pattern Pictures
Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4: Verdict
Let’s face it, Leica gear is dear, you might have ended up with a Leica M digicam, however can’t afford to flesh out your lens assortment with premium Leica glass. Effectively, the Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 lens is right here to save lots of the day.
Whether or not you’re capturing portraits, landscapes, or avenue scenes, the Simera 35mm is a flexible and superbly constructed lens that delivers nice optical efficiency, the lens has the creamy out-of-focus areas and excessive distinction look that plenty of Leica shooters search. The lens can be a standout alternative for anybody searching for a high-quality prime lens that gives stable metallic building and spectacular design with neat little options just like the crimson focusing dots. Thypoch is basically out to problem lenses popping out of Wetzlar.
In fact, the most important issue is the worth in comparison with Leica lenses. At $699 (on the time of writing), this places the Simera lenses at lots of or hundreds of {dollars} lower than Leica lenses, so you’ll be able to develop your lens assortment quicker – Thypoch simply must make extra lenses!
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Options
A large-aperture guide focus solely prime lens, it doesn’t promise greater than it delivers, and delivers on what it guarantees.
★★★★★
Design
Lovely and sturdy all-metal design, the depth of area indicator is a pleasure, however the focus lock change is a frustration.
★★★★
Efficiency
Glorious picture high quality with a Leica-esque look to photographs, though different lenses obtain extra sharpness across the edges..
★★★★
Worth
For the beautiful construct high quality and optical efficiency on provide right here, the Simera 35mm lens is unbelievable worth and price including to any assortment.
★★★★★
✅ Purchase it…
In case you are searching for a lens that may compete with these from Leica, however don’t carry these first-part worth tags.
You need an reasonably priced third-party lens with unbelievable consideration to element in construct high quality.
🚫 Do not buy it…
If you wish to know you’ve gotten the precise Leica Look, then it is secure to stay to first-party lenses.