{"id":83400,"date":"2026-02-18T10:34:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=83400"},"modified":"2026-02-23T22:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:01:22","slug":"review-thypoch-simera-35mm-f-1-4-asph-z","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-thypoch-simera-35mm-f-1-4-asph-z\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW\/Comparison: Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 ASPH. (Z) vs Leica Summilux 35\/1.4 FLE II"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Can a $369 lens really compete with a $6,600 Leica?
Fair warning: some results may surprise Leica fans, for better or worse.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today I\u2019m taking a closer look at the Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 ASPH. Thypoch entered the market about two years ago, joining a growing group of Chinese manufacturers initially producing lenses for the Leica M mount. Since then, they\u2019ve expanded their lineup from 21mm to 75mm, mostly with fast f\/1.4 apertures, and have begun offering additional mounts beyond M.<\/p>\n

In this post, I\u2019ll be testing the Nikon Z version of the 35mm f\/1.4\u2014and putting it side by side with Leica\u2019s own Summilux FLE II.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> and a Nikon Zf<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\"\"You can see this review as a YouTube video here<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/2.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/2.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/2.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/2.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n35mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n64\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.45m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n49 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nM, Z, RF, E<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n\u2248309g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n\u224865 mm x 66.4 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n9 \/ 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Lens construction | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Buy new:<\/strong> Thypoch Store<\/a>, Amazon (anywhere)<\/a>, B&H<\/a> for $369 (Affiliate links)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Thypoch kindly provided this lens for test and review purposes. Summilux text shots and sample images by Bastian.<\/p>\n

Comparison Note<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that both the Simera and the Summilux were originally designed for the Leica M mount. Thypoch uses the same optical design for the Nikon Z and Sony E versions of the Simera\u2014the mount has changed, but the lens itself has not. Because we often receive our test lenses at different times, I haven\u2019t had both on hand for a true side-by-side comparison. That said, the testing methods have been consistent.<\/p>\n

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Simera 35mm Z, Simera 35mm M, Summilux 35mm FLE II M<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All Simera tests were conducted on Nikon cameras. The Summilux was partially tested here on a Sony A7R II via an adapter, though many of the tests were performed on a Leica M10\u2014which, if anything, should favor the Summilux.<\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

This is a fully manual lens, with manual focus and aperture, no electronic contacts for EXIF data or aperture control, and no in-lens stabilization. It is built entirely from metal and glass and, while relatively small for a full-frame 35mm f\/1.4 lens, gives a very solid impression, though there is no visible weather sealing around the mounting plate. The lens I tested is finished in silver, though it\u2019s also available in black. I must say it reminds me a little of classic Leica lenses.<\/p>\n

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Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture ring is placed closest to the front element, which differs from conventional placement. All the markings, including the aperture values, are engraved on the ring at variable distances and filled with paint, giving a stylish appearance. The clicks themselves are very gentle, but they also seem somewhat random\u2014at least at first sight: 1\/3-stop clicks between f\/1.4 and f\/4.0, half-stop clicks between f\/4.0 and f\/8.0, and full-stop clicks between f\/8.0 and f\/16. This makes it rather difficult to judge how far you\u2019ve stopped the lens down by feel alone, without looking at the ring.<\/p>\n

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Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Simera 35mm lens features a depth-of-field scale design Alpa introduced in 1951 under the name \u201cVisifocus.\u201d Instead of simple bars or lines, it uses red dots that \u201clight up\u201d as you change the aperture setting. At first sight this looks pretty cool, but the downside is that they take up more space on the lens barrel, forcing the focusing ring to shrink to a much narrower band than it otherwise would.<\/p>\n

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Visifocus | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture ring can be declicked via a switch on the ring, marked with a sun for clicked operation and a crescent moon for the declicked position.<\/p>\n

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Declicking switch | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The focus ring is therefore positioned very close to the camera and isn\u2019t that easy to get a hold of. I think Thypoch realised this, which is why they added a crescent-shaped tab beneath the focusing ring. It actually helps a lot when trying to reach and locate the ring without fumbling or mistakenly turning the aperture ring while looking through the viewfinder.<\/p>\n

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Focusing tab | Thypoch Simera 35mm f\/1.4 Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The focusing ring turns very smoothly over about 105\u00b0, but the damping could be better. I often found it too easy to turn the ring slightly more than intended while focusing, and it can also be moved very easily after focus is set. As a result, I ended up with more misfocused images than usual.<\/p>\n