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 p.6 #18 · Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. Review | |
Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. -- Read the Full Review
Final Thoughts
The Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. arrives as a very practical and good looking 35mm for Leica M, pairing a modern, well corrected optical design (8 elements in 5 groups, with one ED, two HRI and one aspherical element) with a body that was clearly built around rangefinder use. At just 27mm long and 196g measured, brass construction, and a 39mm filter thread, it is an impressive package, and it looks gorgeous in both black paint and silver chrome.
After several weeks of testing on a Leica M, and adapted to a 42MP Sony A7R II, I can say this lens delivers where it matters most. Center resolution and contrast are excellent and on par with the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron, which keeps a slight edge in high frequency detail once stopped down. At mid-field the two are equal wide open, with the Ksana ahead once stopped down, and in the extreme corners the Ksana pulls ahead at wide apertures. Both are excellent from f/5.6. Distortion is virtually nonexistent, and chromatic aberration control is better than average for a 35mm f/2, with very clean green and magenta fringing.
Its rendering is modern without being sterile. Focus transitions are smooth, bokeh outlining is minimal, and residual spherical aberration is low wide open. At mid and long distances, where the transition zone is easier to see, it shows a character of its own: smoother and less structured than the Ultron, with a more neutral temperature and tint cast. It is also not a "vintage character" lens, and the Epoch Coating 84' marketing needs to be separated from reality. In my tests, flare control is excellent and veiling is minimal, even better than the Ultron, with only some ghosting when pointed at bright light sources.
In use, the Ksana is a pleasure. The short barrel stays out of the 35mm framelines, balance is excellent, the focus ring is smooth and precise, and the focusing tab has well judged resistance. It focuses down to 0.5m, and a tactile cue when the rangefinder coupling disengages at 0.7m tells you to switch to Live View. Performance at 0.5m is very good, with no focus shift when stopping down. My one gripe is the aperture ring, which is a bit loose for my liking. It sometimes rotates without me noticing in the field, and I wish it had more distinct clicks.
There are a few downsides. Vignetting is noticeable wide open and stronger than on the Ultron, though it narrows considerably once stopped down and is understandable for a lens this small. Field curvature is also stronger than on the Ultron, and on the Leica M10-R it curves inward at longer distances, so the corners fall slightly out of focus at wide apertures. Build quality is excellent, but the engraved numbers are small and the amber fill is hard to read in low light, and the aperture clicks feel a bit mushy. My first copy was decentered and this replacement is centered, so check yours when you receive it.
Overall, the Ksana is a very strong 35mm f/2 for Leica M shooters, delivering high image quality, a rangefinder friendly size and a rendering with just enough personality to keep it interesting. Whether for street, travel or environmental portraits, it is a compact and reliable companion.
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Pros:
- Excellent center resolution and contrast, on par with the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron.
- Very sharp and consistent across the frame from f/5.6
- Ultra compact and light: 27mm long and 196g measured, with excellent balance and a 39mm filter thread.
- The short barrel does not intrude into the 35mm framelines.
- Excellent build quality, with tight tolerances and zero play in the aperture and focus rings.
- Brass construction in glossy black paint or silver chrome, with a diamond cross aperture ring texture that echoes the Leica M shutter speed dial.
- Smooth, precise focus ring with a nicely judged focusing tab, focusing down to 0.5m.
- The rangefinder coupling disengages at 0.7m and gives a subtle tactile cue to switch to Live View.
- Very good performance at the 0.5m minimum focus distance, with no focus shift from f/2 to f/4.
- Modern but not sterile rendering, with smooth focus transitions and minimal harsh highlight outlining.
- Low residual spherical aberration wide open.
- Better than average axial chromatic aberration control for a 35mm f/2, with very clean green and magenta fringing.
- Excellent flare resistance, better than the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron, with minimal ghosting.
- Distortion is virtually nonexistent, with no correction needed in Lightroom.
- 10-blade aperture produces clean, symmetrical 10-point sunstars from f/4 to f/16, without being overly defined.
- More neutral temperature and tint cast than the Voigtlander.
Cons:
- Vignetting is noticeable wide open and stronger than on the Ultron.
- Field curvature is more pronounced than on the Ultron, with an inward shape at longer distances on the Leica M10-R.
- The engraved numbers are small, and the amber fill is hard to read in low light.
- Aperture click stops are a bit mushy.
- The veiling flare promised by the Epoch Coating 84' marketing was not evident in my tests.
- The hood is optional.
- Possible copy variation: my first copy was decentered.
In the end, the Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. is sharp, contrasty, well corrected, and highly resistant to flare, yet its smooth focus transitions and restrained highlight outlining keep it from feeling sterile. Add a rangefinder friendly size and excellent build quality, and the quirks, namely noticeable vignetting wide open, field curvature, and an aperture ring that could use firmer clicks, are fair trade-offs. For Leica M shooters who want a modern, reliable 35mm f/2 with just enough personality to stay interesting, it is an easy lens to recommend.
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Purchase the Thypoch Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH. lens:
Thypoch Store (Use promo code: FREDMIRANDA for a 5% discount at checkout) | B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron Aspherical at CameraQuest | B&H Photo
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