Thypoch Simera 75mm F1.4

The Thypoch Simera 75mm F1.4 is a manual-focus full-frame medium telephoto prime for Leica M mount. It is the fourth lens in the Simera F1.4 series, according to Thypoch, and shares its optical design with the Simera-C 75mm T1.5 cine lens. It is intended for portraits and for photographers who want a fast 75mm with a rangefinder-compatible body.

Optical design

Thypoch specifies 9 elements in 8 groups, with 1 aspherical element, 2 high-refractive-index elements and 2 ED elements. The company says the formula controls chromatic aberration and flare and that the aspherical technology nearly eliminates onion-ring bokeh. The aperture has 16 blades, which Thypoch says keep a round shape from F1.4 to F16. The minimum focusing distance is 0.6 m. The angle of view is 33 degrees diagonally, 28 degrees horizontally and 19 degrees vertically. Thypoch quotes a 49 mm image circle in its text, while the specification table lists 43.2 mm for full frame.

Focusing and handling

Focusing is manual. The aperture ring is marked with sun and moon symbols to switch between clicked and declicked operation. The focus ring has a tactile resistance point at 0.7 m to mark the limit of rangefinder coupling. The design is inspired by the 1950s Visifocus scale, according to Thypoch.

Build and size

The lens has an all-metal body with a 62 mm front diameter and a 58 mm filter thread. Weight is about 372 g. Length without hood is specified as 64 mm to 78 mm, which indicates that the barrel changes length while focusing; the page does not say which value belongs to which focus position.

Where it fits

In the Leica M segment of the database, nearby 75mm options are the Leica Noctilux-M 75mm F1.25 ASPH at 1055 g, the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 at 350 g and the Leica Summarit-M 75mm F2.4 ASPH at 325 g. The Simera is lighter than the Noctilux and similar in weight to the Nokton, with an F1.4 maximum aperture between them. The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Primoplan 75mm f/1.9 II and Biotar 75mm f/1.5 II are further alternatives in this focal length.

Pros and cons

Pros

• F1.4 at about 372 g
• 16 blades for round out-of-focus highlights
• Same optical design as the Simera-C 75mm cine lens
• Click and declick aperture ring

Cons

• Manual focus only
• Only offered for Leica M natively
• 0.6 m minimum focusing distance
• Length varies with focus

Verdict

The Simera 75mm F1.4 offers a fast, light short telephoto for Leica M with a 16-blade aperture. It suits portrait photographers who want manual focus in a compact body.