Close to no CA of either major form, the combination of f1.4 not f1.5 and closer MFD delivering an entirely new rendering, a lovely warm palette, trustworthy stepped down performance, very acceptable vignette, internal focus, FLE and close focus optimisation, low distortion, no need for post-corrections, a neat focus tab, a fine hood and cap, excellent fade character, aesthetic colour.
These attributes build the image fundamentals of the lens I have wanted for 15 years. But the real win is the astonishing bokeh and equally amazing image depth that put clear air between this one and the competition. It's very obvious in the several YT comparisons with the other new fast 28mm. I like it as much as the other two I have from them.
It's not for everyone, but my word it will make many brave photographers very happy indeed.
Mar 25, 2025 at 05:21 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
philip_pj wrote:
Close to no CA of either major form, the combination of f1.4 not f1.5 and closer MFD delivering an entirely new rendering, a lovely warm palette, trustworthy stepped down performance, very acceptable vignette, internal focus, FLE and close focus optimisation, low distortion, no need for post-corrections, a neat focus tab, a fine hood and cap, excellent fade character, aesthetic colour.
These attributes build the image fundamentals of the lens I have wanted for 15 years. But the real win is the astonishing bokeh and equally amazing image depth that put clear air between this one and the competition. It's very obvious in the several YT comparisons with the other new fast 28mm. I like it as much as the other two I have from them.
It's not for everyone, but my word it will make many brave photographers very happy indeed. ...Show more →
Philip, this looks to be a really nice lens, but let's not over claim what the lens can do. Close to no CA of either major form? That is not what I am seeing. In fact, I don't know of any lens that has close to no axial CA at f/1.4. And Bastian does a nice job of showing how this lens can produce noticeable axial CA in his review at phillipreeve.net. Here is a link:
From his broader comparisons of 28mm manual lenses, he does find that the lens has very little purple fringing which is a good thing, and lateral CA doesn't seem to be a problem with this lens either (it rarely is these days as it is easily corrected with software even when it appears) but I wouldn't say this lens has close to no CA, axial CA is evident. Bastian's comparison of 28mm manual lenses (linked here: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/comparison-fast-28mm-f-1-2-f-1-4-f-1-5-fullframe-lenses/) does find the axial CA mostly clears up by f/2.8, so it does not perform poorly regarding axial CA, and actually has a good performance (middle of the pack for the premium 28mm lenses he is testing) just not anything like almost no axial CA.
I am looking forward to Fred's review which we should see soon as he says he has the lens in hand and I expect him to get to it before long after he finishes the 75 f/1.4 review, which by the way also looks like a really nice lens.
I also think it is a good thing that we have both this lens and the Voigtlander 28 f/1.5 and we are going to have the announced Voigtlander 28 f/2 APO. More options are good and I can see some preferring the Voigtlander 28 f/1.5 if they prefer its smaller size and more structured bokeh. That lens does have more axial CA at wider apertures, however, as well as higher vignetting. People should also know the Thyoch 28 (really all of the Thypoch Simera lenses) don't correct well for coma either. So this 28mm lens even though it is f/1.4 would not be a strong option for those who want to shoot astro.
It isn't a perfect lens. It is a really nice lens, however, and I am glad you have brought it to our attention.
philip_pj wrote:
Corner resolution is the typical steady Simera pattern of fade - it's by design. I'm happy (very, in fact) with what the E-mount 28mm delivers. The 3D is special, objects in the bokeh are shown as the eye expects them to look, more blurring with distance. Near distance focus yields this high quality bokeh that still shows identifiable content. Very satisfying, nothing jarring. It's a cine lens, and many movies are shot at 28mm or so.
The presenter is a gifted comedian in deep disguise as a camera guy. It's actually a surprisingly good look at the 28/1.4 Simera, relaxed and informative.
I truly enjoy people making bald pithy statements in an attempt to stifle debate on any controversial issue. The cine industry has been increasingly concerned to deliver dimensionality in its movies, so much so that the serious lens producers working in that sphere are using design, add-on devices and even lens surgery (ARRI) to alter element layouts in their $25,000 lenses. Some ranges design in radical curvature (Leica Summilux) and long established brands like Cooke made their reputation on their curvature aberrations depicting period settings.
Zeiss talk openly about their claims to 3D Pop, as recently as last month in the PR blitz launched to promote the ML lens pair. So doubting Thomases face not just a sole forum member, but the entire industry! Of course, you do need an open mind and open eyes to see all this.
I do hope we lose the 3D pop label, it sounds more like a rap artist. Thypoch use the term 'dimensionality' in their material. They actively design for this quality using: close focus optimisation, FLE, short MFDs, gradual transitions, 14/16 blade apertures, threshold sharpness (not uber sharpness), graduated retention of motifs inside the bokeh field and very clean bokeh balls (minimal aspherical surfaces). So it's a complete design package, and this is why many are liking what they see in the Simera images.
By the way, the steady and smooth transitions seen at f1.4 are also contributing to dimensionality in stopped down images, but not many are seeing this feature in isolation (yet). Vision is a learned skill, so more will come to understand it, given time. As Zeiss and Cosina adhere to the rapid fall-off school of 3D, you could say that Thypoch is the anti-Zeiss in the present day.
The presenter is a gifted comedian in deep disguise as a camera guy. It's actually a surprisingly good look at the 28/1.4 Simera, relaxed and informative.
I truly enjoy people making bald pithy statements in an attempt to stifle debate on any controversial issue. The cine industry has been increasingly concerned to deliver dimensionality in its movies, so much so that the serious lens producers working in that sphere are using design, add-on devices and even lens surgery (ARRI) to alter element layouts in their $25,000 lenses. Some ranges design in radical curvature (Leica Summilux) and long established brands like Cooke made their reputation on their curvature aberrations depicting period settings.
Zeiss talk openly about their claims to 3D Pop, as recently as last month in the PR blitz launched to promote the ML lens pair. So doubting Thomases face not just a sole forum member, but the entire industry! Of course, you do need an open mind and open eyes to see all this.
I do hope we lose the 3D pop label, it sounds more like a rap artist. Thypoch use the term 'dimensionality' in their material. They actively design for this quality using: close focus optimisation, FLE, short MFDs, gradual transitions, 14/16 blade apertures, threshold sharpness (not uber sharpness), graduated retention of motifs inside the bokeh field and very clean bokeh balls (minimal aspherical surfaces). So it's a complete design package, and this is why many are liking what they see in the Simera images.
By the way, the steady and smooth transitions seen at f1.4 are also contributing to dimensionality in stopped down images, but not many are seeing this feature in isolation (yet). Vision is a learned skill, so more will come to understand it, given time. As Zeiss and Cosina adhere to the rapid fall-off school of 3D, you could say that Thypoch is the anti-Zeiss in the present day. ...Show more →
Philip - what are your thoughts between the Thypoch and the new CV 28/1.5? If you were to have only one, which would you buy? Or would you wait for the rumored CV 28/2 APO? I’m interested in your opinion since I would like to get a nice 28mm for travel (to go along with a 20mm, 50mm, and a 90mm). Thanks!
Re the Simera and the new Voigtlander 28mm f1.5. It will come down to priorities for each of us. I watched the 3-4 video comparisons looking at these two and knew I wanted the Simera, regardless of the quite large price difference.
The Voigt comes out of the Cosina/Zeiss stills lens tradition, the Simera is part of the cinematic rangefinder style being pioneered by DZO - the powerhouse cine company behind Thypoch. It therefore emphasises very low CA, low distortion, a warmer palette, a steady decline from centre to corners at wider apertures, very smooth focus roll-off and transitions, 14 blade bokeh for the often used f2-f2.8 settings, lovely bokeh everwhere, optimised close focus and short MFD. Great for video.
Now the controversial part. It has great (not good but great) image depth. You feel you walk into the photos. The CV 28/1.5 is very different, key points being more structured bokeh, flatter images, not so good CA, but sharper across the frame, smaller and conventional.
We all see differently, but I think the Simera suits your images I see here, and it is excellent for people images, so it gives you more utility too. It's extremely easy to focus using L1 peaking. If you can wait, I'll post a lot from it from the India trip I'm doing - late April. And do check out Benj Haisch's and Generic Photographer's and Camera Conspiracies's 'Thypoch: the new Voitlander?' - together they give a balanced take.
philip_pj wrote:
Close to no CA of either major form, the combination of f1.4 not f1.5 and closer MFD delivering an entirely new rendering, a lovely warm palette, trustworthy stepped down performance, very acceptable vignette, internal focus, FLE and close focus optimisation, low distortion, no need for post-corrections, a neat focus tab, a fine hood and cap, excellent fade character, aesthetic colour.
These attributes build the image fundamentals of the lens I have wanted for 15 years. But the real win is the astonishing bokeh and equally amazing image depth that put clear air between this one and the competition. It's very obvious in the several YT comparisons with the other new fast 28mm. I like it as much as the other two I have from them.
It's not for everyone, but my word it will make many brave photographers very happy indeed. ...Show more →
Sounds great. Have you tried the 35mm as well?
I wonder how it'd compare to the 35 Loxia for 3D pop.
There's also the Pergear 35mm f1.4, which costs only $109.
philip_pj wrote:
Re the Simera and the new Voigtlander 28mm f1.5. It will come down to priorities for each of us. I watched the 3-4 video comparisons looking at these two and knew I wanted the Simera, regardless of the quite large price difference.
The Voigt comes out of the Cosina/Zeiss stills lens tradition, the Simera is part of the cinematic rangefinder style being pioneered by DZO - the powerhouse cine company behind Thypoch. It therefore emphasises very low CA, low distortion, a warmer palette, a steady decline from centre to corners at wider apertures, very smooth focus roll-off and transitions, 14 blade bokeh for the often used f2-f2.8 settings, lovely bokeh everwhere, optimised close focus and short MFD. Great for video.
Now the controversial part. It has great (not good but great) image depth. You feel you walk into the photos. The CV 28/1.5 is very different, key points being more structured bokeh, flatter images, not so good CA, but sharper across the frame, smaller and conventional.
We all see differently, but I think the Simera suits your images I see here, and it is excellent for people images, so it gives you more utility too. It's extremely easy to focus using L1 peaking. If you can wait, I'll post a lot from it from the India trip I'm doing - late April. And do check out Benj Haisch's and Generic Photographer's and Camera Conspiracies's 'Thypoch: the new Voitlander?' - together they give a balanced take. ...Show more →
I decided to purchase this lens. The images I have seen here and other places convinced me this was the one I wanted. I'm going to take it as part of a 4 prime set for a trip to Paris this summer. It will be: CV 21/1.4, Thypoch Simera 28/1.4, CV 50/1.0, and Sigma 90/2.8. Looking forward to getting this 28mm in my hands.
I'm slowly being convinced by this lens and the images it produces as well. I love 28mm, and I'm always on the hunt for an image that has a smooth, lower contrast rendering in overcast light...a Vancouver lens, or for my American regional neighbours, a PNW lens.
Beautiful shades of green, pops of muted colour surrounded by grey, shimmering wet surfaces...all of Thypoch's lenses in this range feel like they'd excel at this.
You come across small pieces on the edge of the information field every so often. I seem to recall Fred saying he felt the 35/1.4 Simera was a misunderstood lens, an interesting comment. There are impartial people who saw what Thypoch was doing right away, others veered away because of the prevailing sharpness-first mentality. All have slightly different needs.
Most early adopters were dual stills/video people so they were kind of Simera ready. The 35mm is very much a character lens with rendering for the trained eye, looking for that particular style.
I was shooting close up street portraits with the 28mm yesterday here in Goa. My word, now that's a look you won't often encounter. For travel, you really look for multiple purpose usage and I think this one is a gem. Fast focusing, no CA issues, often glorious bokeh, excellent stopped down for what most use a 28mm for.
Downplay my new lens enthusiasm a bit, probably, but I find this one is very cinematic in how it shapes faces and that's a subject you never hear about but it's very much on your mind doing wide angle people shots, which very few do.
It's a lens you can grow into, try a lot of new things with. I just really like the fade and dreamy bokeh. So if you get to use one, do experiment with that, it's what the lens was designed for. The fade character seems to anchor the rendering style, if you get what I mean.
philip_pj wrote:
You come across small pieces on the edge of the information field every so often. I seem to recall Fred saying he felt the 35/1.4 Simera was a misunderstood lens, an interesting comment. There are impartial people who saw what Thypoch was doing right away, others veered away because of the prevailing sharpness-first mentality. All have slightly different needs.
Most early adopters were dual stills/video people so they were kind of Simera ready. The 35mm is very much a character lens with rendering for the trained eye, looking for that particular style.
I was shooting close up street portraits with the 28mm yesterday here in Goa. My word, now that's a look you won't often encounter. For travel, you really look for multiple purpose usage and I think this one is a gem. Fast focusing, no CA issues, often glorious bokeh, excellent stopped down for what most use a 28mm for.
Downplay my new lens enthusiasm a bit, probably, but I find this one is very cinematic in how it shapes faces and that's a subject you never hear about but it's very much on your mind doing wide angle people shots, which very few do.
It's a lens you can grow into, try a lot of new things with. I just really like the fade and dreamy bokeh. So if you get to use one, do experiment with that, it's what the lens was designed for. The fade character seems to anchor the rendering style, if you get what I mean. ...Show more →
I’m interested to see all your photos when you get back. When I had the 24GM, I liked taking people pictures with it wide open because of the beautiful bokeh it gave. The issue was it was just a tad too wide in many situations. This 28/1.4 may be the perfect blend of focal length and aperture for the people pictures I want while traveling. Just enough tighter than a 24mm to look pleasing.
mudlake wrote:
I’m interested to see all your photos when you get back. When I had the 24GM, I liked taking people pictures with it wide open because of the beautiful bokeh it gave. The issue was it was just a tad too wide in many situations. This 28/1.4 may be the perfect blend of focal length and aperture for the people pictures I want while traveling. Just enough tighter than a 24mm to look pleasing.
Same...I had the 24GM as well, and really liked how it rendered...but not necessarily for landscapes, which is my primary use for that focal length. I also have the Loxia 25, and by comparison it is a superior landscape lens. 28 is about as wide as I like to go for people or travel type stuff. I feel like the 24GM is still different from the other GMs, and has great bokeh for a 24, but something a bit tighter would be more useful for me.
I'm more interested in, well, interesting lenses these days.
f1.4
