Third-party lens makers have been creating exciting options for Leica users for some time now. Thypoch is one such brand whose commitment has not wavered. The company’s Simera series has been quite popular in this regard, offering performance and design. A new addition to this portfolio has just been released, the new Simera 21mm f1.4, which is said to offer a cinematic experience. Here is a quick look a its specs.
The Simera 21mm f1.4 is a full-frame lens; like the 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm. It is designed for both stills and videos and promises exceptional bokeh, among other things.
- 13 elements in 11 groups, including 2 aspherical, 3 high-refractive index, and 3 extra-low dispersion elements
- Minimum focusing distance of 0.23m
- 14-blade aperture blade
- Clicked and de-clicked the aperture ring
- Weight 427g
- Designed for Leica M, and can be adapted to Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L, and Fujifilm X
- Priced at $999
- Available in black and silver colors
The Thypoch lens is suited for landscapes and portraits, but also for street photography and events. In addition to soft, round bokeh, the lens is said to have reduced aberrations and field curvature. Simera 21mm also offers distortion control since the focal range is quite wide. It is also small, compact, making it easy for being used everyday.
After having tested the Simera 35mm f1.4, we found the lens to offer exceptional depth of field, great build quality, and even a de-clicked aperture ring. The square lens hood was also a great addition. However, the only challenge was that the lens was not super sharp at f1.4. The close focusing distance does not allow for a macro shot, which is also okay. The colours are great, and that means you will like the image quality.
Considering Simera’s previous performance, we hope the new lens offers some more sharpness at a wide aperture. Since we didn’t see any aberrations the last time, it is possible that this won’t happen again. It is also quite cost-effective, but the TTartisan version, the 21mm f1.5, is even cheaper, at just $390. It will boil down to price for most users, with more serious photographers choosing Thypoch over TTartisans. Other than that, both lenses do not have weather sealing and have a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m. The point of difference in the aperture should, ideally, not make a huge difference.
If you want a stylish lens with soft bokeh, consider the Simera 21mm. Otherwise, consider something else.