Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 (Leica M) lens review: a manual focus marvel

The Simera offers some unique characteristics to make it a top alternatives to Leica’s own legendary lenses

Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens on a wooden table
(Image: © Gareth Bevan / Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Let's face it, Leica gear is expensive. The Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 lens, priced at $699, offers great optical performance and solid metal construction, making it a more affordable option compared to Leica lenses. It's a versatile lens suitable for capturing portraits, landscapes, and street scenes, with features like creamy out-of-focus areas and high contrast look.

Pros

  • +

    Premium metal construction

  • +

    Ingenious red dots to aid focusing

  • +

    Wide aperture with creamy background blur

  • +

    Mix and match with Leica lenses for a very similar look

Cons

  • -

    Infinity lock is more irritating than useful

  • -

    Metal build means the lens is reasonably heavy

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Since bursting onto the photography scene from seemingly nowhere, Thypoch immediately made waves in the photography community by challenging Leica's legendary lenses for build quality and optical capabilities – but aiming to do so at a fraction of Leica's hefty prices. 

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Lens MountLeica M (also available in Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X)
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Minimum Aperturef/16
Angle of View64°
Minimum Focus Distance1.3' / 0.4 m
Optical Design9 Elements in 5 Groups
Diaphragm Blades14
FocusManual Focus
Filter Size49 mm
Size2.1 x 2" / 54 x 50.8 mm
Weight11.5 oz / 325.5 g
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FeaturesA wide-aperture manual focus only prime lens, it doesn’t promise more than it delivers, and delivers on what it promises.★★★★★
DesignBeautiful and robust all-metal design, the depth of field indicator is a joy, but the focus lock switch is a frustration.★★★★
PerformanceExcellent image quality with a Leica-esque look to images, although other lenses achieve more sharpness around the edges..★★★★
ValueFor the stunning build quality and optical performance on offer here, the Simera 35mm lens is incredible value and worth adding to any collection.★★★★★
Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2

Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2
Taking you back to retro lenses of the past, the Eureka is an adorably small collapsible lens for Leica M-mount cameras, but I was really taken with the images that this little gem managed to produce.

Image

Thypoch Simera 28mm f/1.4 APSH.
If 35mm is too tight of a focal length for you, then the Simera 28mm might be a better choice, with an extra 7mm of width, you can get more of a scene in the frame, like the Simera 35mm, it offers the same great build quality, price, and optical construction.

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Gareth Bevan
Reviews Editor

Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.