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 p.1 #1 · Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. Review | |
Purchase the Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. lens:
Thypoch Store (Use promo code: FREDMIRANDA for a 5% discount at checkout)
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Review Quick Links:
- About the lens
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast compared to Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast adapted to Sony A7R II (42MP)
- Sunstar rendering, Flare resistance and Vignetting
- Field Curvature
- Distortion
- Minimal Focus Distance: Resolution and Contrast
- Rendering compared to Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron
- Chromatic aberration control: Purple Fringing, Axial and Lateral CA
- Flare Resistance
- Final Thoughts
- Samples
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH - Intro:
Leica M10-R Black Paint with Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH (Black Paint version)
The Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH for Leica M sits in a pretty interesting space. The optical design uses 8 elements in 5 groups, including one ED, two HRI, and one aspherical element. It clearly leans modern in its correction and overall rendering, but aesthetically it feels like rangefinder use was a core priority from the start. The short barrel does not intrude into the 35mm framelines, the focusing tab has a nicely judged resistance, and the glossy black paint over brass gives it a very rich presence, especially on black paint M bodies.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH Optical Design
Physically, this is exactly what you want from a compact M lens. At around 196g (measured) and just 27mm long, it stays completely out of the way once mounted. The balance is excellent, with no front heaviness, and it simply disappears in use. Its compact size is impressive, and it looks gorgeous on my Leica M10-R Black Paint. Even small details feel intentional, like the aperture ring's diamond cross texture, which visually echoes the shutter speed dial side pattern on the camera. It also uses a 39mm filter thread, which keeps it consistent with the compact M lens ecosystem.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH distance where the rangefinder disengages
From my initial tests, I can already say the Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH is not a "vintage character" lens. Sharpness and contrast are there, consistency is there, and it holds together very well across the frame. The rendering is very much modern 35mm, with smooth transitions and minimal harsh highlight outlining. The result is predictable in a good way, but it doesn't slip into anything sterile or overly clinical.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH's Epoch Coating 84
The interesting twist is the coating. The Epoch Coating 84 is Thypoch's proprietary multi layer coating on the Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH, inspired by 1980s Olympus Zuiko lenses. It allows a controlled amount of light interaction when you push into strong light sources, instead of aggressively suppressing everything. You get a slight warmth and a gentle glow in certain situations, especially when shooting against the light, with hints of golden purple flare behavior depending on angle and intensity. At the same time, it maintains solid contrast and good transmission for modern sharpness and usability. It adds just enough character to keep it from feeling overly technical, landing in that useful middle ground between high image quality and a bit of atmospheric veiling when conditions demand it.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH adapted to Sony A7CR
Close focus at 0.5m is more useful than it looks on paper. On a 35mm M lens, that extra reach makes a real difference for close up compositions via Live View. The best part is the behavior after 0.7m, where the rangefinder coupling disengages. It gives a subtle tactile cue that you are out of RF range and need to switch to live view. It's a useful feature, although easy to miss if you are not actively paying attention to it.
Leica M10-R Black Paint with Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH
Build quality is excellent: tight tolerances on my copy, with zero play in either the aperture or focus rings. The brass construction adds a reassuring density without tipping into heavy. Legibility is the one weak point: the engraved numbers run small, and the amber paint filling them in gets hard to read once the light drops.
The aperture ring's click stops are also a bit mushy, so there isn't much tactile feedback between stops. The focus ring makes up for it: smooth, precise, and able to rack all the way down to 0.5m, an impressive minimum focus distance for a lens this size. None of that changes the overall impression: this is a well-made lens with a few minor quirks.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH adapted to Sony A7CR
The lens uses a 10 blade aperture which produces defined sunstars. I'll need more real world shooting to judge how symmetrical those rays are in practice, and how highlights behave when stopped down.
I will also test the Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH adapted to the Sony and Nikon mirrorless cameras to see if thicker sensor stacks introduce any performance penalty compared to Leica M bodies.
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH compared to Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 Eight-Element (Stainless Steel version)
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH compared to Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron (Black Paint version)
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH Main Specifications:
⦿ Colour: Black / Silver (brass)
⦿ Focal Length: 35mm
⦿ Mount: M
⦿ Aperture: f/2 – f/16
⦿ Image Circle: 43.2mm (Full Frame)
⦿ Construction of Optics: 8 elements in 5 groups
⦿ Angle of View (diagonal / horizontal / vertical): 63° / 54° / 38°
⦿ Front Diameter: Ø42mm
⦿ Close Focus (from sensor plane): 0.5m
⦿ Iris Blades: 10
⦿ Filter Size: E39
⦿ Weight: 196g (measured)
⦿ Length: 27mm
⦿ Accessories: Lens Front Cap, Lens Back Cap (hood optional)
Leica M10-R Black Paint with Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH
Overall, first impression is promising. This is a very practical 35mm that delivers strong image quality in a compact package, with just enough optical personality to keep it interesting. It's also a very good looking lens, available in both black paint and silver chrome versions, both built in brass.
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