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 p.1 #1 · Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH Review | |
Purchase the Thypoch Eureka 28mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens:
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Review Quick Links:
- About the lens
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast compared to Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar
- Infinity Resolution and Contrast adapted to Sony A7R II
- Sunstar rendering, Flare resistance and Vignetting
- Field Curvature
- Distortion
- Minimal Focus Distance: Resolution and Contrast
- Flare Resistance
- Rendering compared to Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar
- Chromatic aberration control: Purple Fringing, Axial and Lateral CA
- Final Thoughts
- Samples
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH - Intro:
Leica M3 with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH (Silver version)
The Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH for Leica M has generated a lot of curiosity, mainly because it tries to combine a highly corrected modern optical design with a more intentional, controlled veiling and ghosting flare through its unique coating system. The result is an ultra wide that sits somewhere between modern optics and a hint of vintage inspired rendering. The optical formula itself is compact but far from simplistic, using 1 aspherical element, 2 ED elements, and 3 high refractive index elements to keep aberrations well controlled.
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH Optical Design
A major part of its character comes from the Epoch Coating 73'. This coating leans toward a warmer, slightly amber toned response when the lens is pushed against the light. Rather than aggressively eliminating flare which Voigtlander lenses is famous for, it allows a measured amount of interaction with bright sources, adding atmosphere in backlit scenes while still maintaining usable contrast.
Leica M3 with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
In practice, the Epoch Coating 73' is part of Thypoch's broader "Epoch Coating" concept, which aims to recreate the visual characteristics of different photographic eras using modern manufacturing techniques. The 73 variant is said to draw inspiration from 1970s cinema and Japanese optics, producing warm golden amber flare behavior, gentle bloom under backlight, and a slightly nostalgic color response with rich but organic saturation, all while preserving the core benefits of a modern optical design in normal conditions.
Leica M10-P Safari with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
Physically, this is a very compact 21mm lens. At roughly 27mm in length and 131g in weight (measured), it almost disappears on the camera. It is built in aluminum and feels surprisingly light in hand. Depending on the body, especially lighter aluminum Leica M bodies, it can feel slightly front light, but personally I do not see that as a negative. It is clearly designed for portability, and it excels in that role. This is the kind of lens you can carry all day without thinking about it, making it ideal for travel, street, and documentary work.
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH adapted to Nikon Zf (close-up adapter)
Given the ultra wide focal length and relatively slow f/3.5 maximum aperture, you should not expect meaningful subject isolation unless you are working very close to the minimum focus distance. Center sharpness and contrast already look strong in my initial test images, but further testing will be needed to evaluate performance toward the extreme corners and across different apertures. I will also be comparing it directly to the Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color Skopar, which is known for its excellent flare resistance and strong across the frame performance, though it does show some field curvature behavior.
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH adapted to Sony A7CR (close-up adapter)
The most interesting aspect is how it handles backlit scenes. Depending on angle and intensity, you can see subtle golden or slightly violet tinges in flare, but it never feels uncontrolled or overpowering. It behaves more like a shaped atmospheric effect than a defect, which actually works well even for a modern wide angle lens. I will cover this more thoroughly in a dedicated flare section later in the review.
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH vs Voigtlander 21mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar
Close focus at 0.5m is genuinely useful on a 21mm lens. It allows for strong foreground placement when using live view and enables more dramatic perspective work than you might expect from such a small lens. A tactile stop at 0.7m lets you feel when the rangefinder coupling disengages, reminding you to switch to EVF focusing beyond that point for proper focus. Combined with the 80.2° horizontal field of view, it offers a lot of flexibility for wide compositions and landscapes.
Leica M10-P Safari with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
Build quality feels solid, with tight tolerances and a reassuring smoothness to both the aperture and focus rings, although the aperture clicks could be firmer in my opinion. The focus tab is a welcome addition, especially for a 21mm lens where quick zone focusing is often the most practical approach, and it makes operation more intuitive in real shooting situations.
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
The lens uses a 9 blade aperture, which is an interesting choice. Personally, I would have preferred 10 blades for a 21mm design, but in practice it still produces fairly well defined 18-point sunstars when stopped down. I'll need more time in the field to evaluate how consistent and symmetrical they are across different light sources, especially at f/5.6 and smaller apertures.
I will also be testing the Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH on Sony and Nikon mirrorless bodies to see how it behaves with thicker sensor stacks compared to Leica M cameras.
Leica M3 with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH Main Specifications:
⦿ Color: Black / Silver (aluminum)
⦿ Focal Length: 21mm
⦿ Mount: M
⦿ Aperture: f/3.5 – f/16
⦿ Image Circle: 43.2mm (Full Frame)
⦿ Construction of Optics: 9 elements in 7 groups
⦿ Angle of View (diagonal / horizontal / vertical): 92° / 80.2° / 59°
⦿ Front Diameter: Ø42mm
⦿ Close Focus (from sensor plane): 0.5m
⦿ Iris Blades: 9
⦿ Filter Size: E39
⦿ Weight: 131g (measured)
⦿ Length: 27mm
⦿ Accessories: Lens Front Cap, Lens Back Cap (hood optional)
Leica M10-P Safari with Thypoch Ksana 21mm f/3.5 ASPH
Overall, the first impressions are positive. There are a couple of small quirks in handling, such as the slightly hard to see mount alignment mark on the silver version and a rear mount section that could use a bit more grip when mounting and unmounting the lens. But beyond those minor ergonomic notes, this is a compact, highly usable ultra wide that prioritizes real world shooting experience. It stays small, handles well, and offers just enough optical character to keep things interesting without getting in the way of the image.
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