The Thypoch Simera-C 35mm T1.5 Lens, a part of the Simera-C series, is designed to adapt to a wide range of shooting scenarios. With a wide range of focal length options available from 21mm to 75mm, the 35mm variation finds itself in the sweet spot for mid-range capture. With a 1.5-16 manual aperture, manual focus and compact design, the Simera-C 35mm could easily be the jack of all trades for cinema-level production.
Leveraging the versatility of a Leica M-mount adaptor, the Simera-C 35mm is quite adaptable to a wide range of cameras and settings. The Simera-C 35mm sent for review attached seamlessly to the Sony A7R here in the office and transformed this already solid workhorse of a mirrorless camera into an elegant photography machine. The relatively lightweight and compact design also means that, for those of us who utilize a mirrorless setup, the Simera-C 35mm doesn’t add a lot of extra bulk, helping to keep our kits light and mobile.
In hand, the Simera-C 35mm feels solid and durable. Weighing 405g (no cap or cover), the 35mm variation offers robust dial controls allowing for easy manipulation of the two included manual rings. The front ring handles focus while the rear-positioned ring manages aperture adjustments. In use tests, I’ve come to appreciate the distinct and protruding grip points on the lens, which have made adjusting these settings a simple affair without needing to look up from the viewfinder. Each dial is also incredibly smooth to control, which is wonderful when intentionally adjusting the focal point while filming a dramatic shot.
While the A7R kit here at the office couldn’t utilize it, the Simera-C series does come equipped with a 0.8 MOD gear pitch, designed to work with follow focus systems and other cinema accessories common to the industry. This, when combined with the Simera-C 35mm exceptionally smooth rings, would provide an excellent filming experience for those with the tools to leverage the system.
“The Thypoch Simera-C 35mm T1.5 sits in the sweet spot for mid-range capture and feels like a true jack-of-all-trades lens.”
The glass is also clear with no visible distortions along the edge, and provides a clean, clear focal point for the sensor to capture light. Overall, the build quality of Thypoch’s Simera-C lens series is excellent. Considering its relatively budget-friendly price point (for a cine lens), I’ve been quite impressed with the overall feel and performance of the Simera-C 35mm.
Shooting with the Simera-C 35mm is also a fun experience. While I tend to fall more in the photography camp than the filming camp, I’ve been impressed with how well the Simera-C series handles lighting. During testing, I chose to shoot outside at sunset to see how the lens would react to constantly changing lighting conditions, and I have to confess I was quite impressed with the results.
The Simera-C 35mm produces a beautiful and soft bokeh in every shot, providing incredible detail in every image capture. I was still more impressed with the level of detail that the lens can capture at the focal length. Textures seem to pop while still preserving the object of focus.
Thypoch has also designed the Simera-C 35mm to handle lighting incredibly well. Even when shooting with direct light in the glass, the lens manages to capture it without stray light causing unintended lens flair in the shot. This alone was an impressive feat, but when coupled with the impressively shallow depth of field, it results in a beautiful and unique finished product.
“Shooting with the Simera-C 35mm is simply fun, whether you lean toward filmmaking or photography.”
As both a cine and photo lens, the Simera-C 35mm lens is a great lens to work with. From the well-designed focus and aperture rings to the beautiful bokeh and light capture, the Simera-C 35 provides an incredibly adaptable shooting lens that can be used in a wide range of settings. If you are looking to refine your filming or photography capture, the Simera-C 35mm T1.5 Lens from Thypoch is a solid offering and one I would recommend considering.
