Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 Series Review

Overview of the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 Series

Basic Specifications

As you can see from these specs, the Simera-C T1.5’s unified design and specifications provide high operability when used as a set.

The total weight of all five lenses is around 400g, and none of them exceed 500g. Even if you put three of them in a camera bag, it will weigh less than 1.5kg. If you think about using three regular cinema lenses, this lightness is very much appreciated for freelance videographers and small teams.

What I personally found particularly outstanding is that it achieves T1.5 even at 21mm. Many old wide-angle lenses are brighter than F2.8. And it’s also important to note that the minimum shooting distance of the 75mm is 55cm. The minimum shooting distance of old M-mount lenses is often around 70cm, so if you can get as close as 55cm, the range of scenes you can cover will expand dramatically. The difference of 15cm is greater than you might think.

Exterior

As it is an M mount, it goes very well with the LEICA SL3. It doesn’t use any unusual colors or futuristic fonts, and its classic appearance gives me a sense of security. When mounted on the body, it fits comfortably in the hand.

This set of five comes with a custom case that is designed not just for protection but for on-the-job use.

The inclusion of this special case makes it easier to manage the lenses on set, making operation on set smoother. This case is a major advantage, especially for location shoots and productions that involve a lot of mobile work.

However, it is a shame that the case itself cannot be locked. Please be mindful of safety precautions when using it outdoors or in a location with a lot of traffic.

Example

The first thing that interested me was the depiction of human skin. I tried to capture a still movie to see how it would capture facial expressions in the setting sun of winter. It worked well with LEICA’s color science, and it depicted the skin tones of Japanese people very faithfully.

The bokeh at full aperture is not too noisy, and it really makes the subject stand out.

　 　　

　 　　

　 　　

Video Shooting

Next we headed to Izu Oshima, a place I had always wanted to visit. I brought along the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K FF on the trip.

Mounting the lens via an M to L mount adapter, it didn’t feel front-heavy and had a nicely balanced grip. Here again, I felt that the light weight of the lens itself was put to good use.

When using it without assembling a rig, if the lens weighs around 800g, you have to hold it firmly with both hands for handheld shooting, and there are many situations where you can’t shoot smoothly. The weight balance was extremely convenient for shooting lightly on the road.

Example video

After taking a number of actual photos, I got the impression that any lens of any focal length can be used without hesitation in any situation, depending on the photographer’s intention. As mentioned above, there were no problems at all with old lenses, such as individual differences and lack of consistency depending on the focal length.

Due to time constraints, I wasn’t able to create a work that combined multiple lenses, but it was a great experience that made me want to have a full set of lenses and take them to the location if MF operation is possible.

Image quality of the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5

After introducing some example images, I would like to review the features of the Simera-C T1.5 series in more detail.

Looking at it from a bird’s-eye view, the biggest feature of the Simera-C T1.5 series is that it combines the soft depiction of an old lens with modern high resolution. At the maximum aperture of T1.5, the background is beautifully blurred, making the subject stand out. In particular, the smooth bokeh created by the 16 aperture blades brings depth and three-dimensionality to the image.

　 　　

The use of aspherical and ED lenses effectively suppresses chromatic aberration and flare, achieving consistent resolution from the center to the edges, enabling high-quality image expression in a variety of scenes, from portraits to landscapes.

Color reproduction and contrast

　 　　

The Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 has natural and neutral color reproduction, faithfully depicting the texture and color of the subject. It also has moderate contrast and a rich gradation from highlights to shadows, making it flexible for color grading in post-production.

In particular, its ability to render skin tones naturally is a major advantage when photographing people, and it also features a coating that minimizes flare and ghosting, even in backlit or strong light conditions, providing clear, crisp images.

　 　　

Consistent design and ease of use

What is important for cinema lenses is that they have a consistent feel even when the focal length is different. The Simera-C T1.5 series has a consistent focus ring rotation angle and gear position for all lenses, reducing stress when changing lenses.

The 210° focus ring rotation angle allows for precise focusing and provides a smooth operation feeling, and the dual focus scale in meters and feet provides flexibility for international shooting locations.

Lightweight yet sturdy build

The Simera-C T1.5 series is extremely compact and lightweight for a cinema lens, with a total length of approximately 78.6mm and a weight of approximately 491g (for the 21mm lens). This makes it suitable for a variety of shooting styles, including gimbal, drone, and handheld shooting.

The casing is made of metal and is highly robust, making it suitable for professional use.

Summary: Who is the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 series for?

I would recommend the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 to the following user teams:

To reiterate, the Simera-C T1.5 series will be a new option as a cinema lens that combines classic image quality with modern functionality. Considering the convenience of the dedicated case, purchasing the set will be a very attractive investment.

Cine Lenses are not so rare

There are already many low-priced cinema lenses on the market, and cinema lenses themselves are no longer a novelty. Every lens has specs that match the price, and there are many options. But do you want to have that lens on hand? Many of them are at the level where you think, “Is it okay to rent them as needed?”

Among them, the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 series that I tried this time is a cinema lens that makes me want to have one or two of them on hand for the most frequent use, even if it’s not a full set. It’s not a cheap lens that costs less than 100,000 yen, but I think it’s the most well-balanced lens in terms of both quality and substance when it comes to filmmaking using full-frame cinema lenses.

When using old still lenses in a rig such as a follow focus, they can cause inconvenience in film production. The more you work as an individual or small production team, the more the hassle piles up and weighs on the site. If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I had a cinema lens for film…”, then you should definitely try the Thypoch Simera-C T1.5 series. There is a timeless cinema lens that you can use to replace old lenses, and you’re allowed to do just that.