Leica photographers get the best of both worlds. Not only do they get a chance to work with some stunning image quality, but also with lenses that are inspired by the past. Thypoch, a third-party lens manufacturer, often comes up in conversations about such lenses. And today, they expanded their Eureka lineup with a new wide-angle lens that draws inspiration from the iconic Dallmeyer Anastigmat lens. Here’s a look at what Thypoch offers with this new version.
First reported by Photo Rumors, Thypoch announced the lens, stating the Eureka 28mm f2.8 is a “faithful homage to 20th-century British lenses, crafted in exquisite lacquer and accented with gilded hardware.” The inspiration for the device actually comes from the Dallmeyer 35mm f3.5 Anastigmat, a lens that was first featured on Ilford’s Advocate 35mm camera. It is thinner and smaller than any pancake lens created in today’s time, thus proving the marvel of British engineering back in the late 1800s.
Thypoch states that the new lens is not only inspired by the past but is further refined to meet the needs of photographers today. The company offers a much “shorter focal length and a brighter aperture,” both of which can be helpful for architecture, street, landscape, or environmental portrait photographers. As usual, it is a manual lens, and the second edition in the Eureka series, following the 50mm f2. Here is a look at what the 28mm has to offer:
- Classic appearance design from the 1950s
- Ultra-lightweight, weighing just 0.3lbs
- 1-inch thickness, 2-inch width, and measures 5.2cm in diameter
- Built with 1 aspherical and 3 refractive elements.
- Multi-layer coating
- Two colors available: Matte Black and Pearl White
- 0.4m minimum focusing distance
- Accurate rendering: Only 0.462% distortion
The lens is currently available for $413 for both Leica and Fujifilm X mount. Given its size and appeal, it is perfect for photographers who want a single setup with minimal hassle. If you own a Leica M model and are looking for a lens that complements it, then the Eureka 28mm may be for you. As for Fujifilm X photographers, they also get a unique device to work with, and you get a 42mm equivalent on the APS-C frame.
After having tested, Eureka 50mm f2, we can say that the lens can deliver good image quality, along with beautiful bokeh. As we added, “This lens oozes character, beautiful color, nice bokeh, and enough sharpness to make both Panasonic and Leica’s focus peaking work well. Mind you, it does that without electronic contacts.” We do have hope from the new variation. If you are someone who wants a vintage lens with a modern heart, the Eureka 28mm is an ideal option, one that will not burn a hole in your pocket.