Thypoch 50mm Simera 1.4 or Voigtländer 50mm Nokton 1.2?

[JimmyCheng]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would second the vm 50mm f1.5. It's tiny compare to the other 2 lenses and still got a 1.5 aperture. It's quite sharp as well. Only downside is vignette.

[Jan1985]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb Einst_Stein:

The first choice is still Leica Summilux. The second choice is Thypoch. It's the more balanced all-aperture and all-frame 50mm f1.4.  Period.

No third choice.

If pricing doesn't matter then Summilux is still the winner.

But when you consider price performance ratio then the Thypoch beats the Summilux offering nearly the same level of optical quality.

[Vanillasludge]

9 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

The first choice is still Leica Summilux. The second choice is Thypoch. It's the more balanced all-aperture and all-frame 50mm f1.4.  Period.

No third choice.

😂😂

[LarsHP]

On 2/18/2025 at 10:32 AM, Jan1985 said:

If pricing doesn't matter then Summilux is still the winner.

But when you consider price performance ratio then the Thypoch beats the Summilux offering nearly the same level of optical quality.

Fred Miranda's conclusion after testing the 50mm Simera, including side-by-side tests with the Summilux Asph:

After extensive testing, including blind tests and side-by-side comparisons with the Leica, I can confidently say their output is very similar.

There are subtle differences in rendering, but as you can see from the comparisons, they are minor --- so much so that they may go unnoticed without a direct side-by-side comparison. Both lenses show very similar levels of axial chromatic aberration, which is a good sign for the Simera, as the Leica is well-regarded for its excellent chromatic correction. In terms of lateral chromatic aberration, however, the Simera performs notably better.

Both lenses show similar levels of distortion, field curvature, and optical vignetting, but the Simera shines in certain areas. For example, it has significantly better flare resistance, producing less veiling and ghosting. Its 14-blade aperture also creates more defined sunstars, and specular highlights remain perfectly round at smaller apertures --- something that’s not always the case with the Leica’s nonagonal aperture shape when stopped down.

In terms of resolution and contrast, at infinity distance, the Leica has a slight advantage in the center of the frame, while the Simera excels in the mid-zones. However, at a closer distance, such as the tested 2 meters, the Leica performs slightly better across the frame, including the mid-field. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, as the differences are minor and largely imperceptible in everyday use.

After spending time with the Simera, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. It offers performance on par with the Leica in terms of resolution and contrast, but it also excels in other areas, all at a more affordable price.

Pros:

1. Compact and lightweight for a fast 50mm lens.

2. High resolution and contrast at center and mid-field from wide open.

3. Floating design ensures high resolution/contrast at minimal focus distance (0.45m).

4. Very low distortion.

5. Solid build with tight tolerances; my copy was well-centered and calibrated with the rangefinder.

6. Aperture mechanism creates defined 14-pointed sunstars from f/4 onwards.

7. Rounded specular highlights when stopped down.

8. Lower optical vignetting compared to many other fast 50mm lenses.

9. Pleasant modern rendering with high contrast subjects and smooth transitions.

10. Unique “mechanical dots” depth of field scale replaces the classic scale.

11. Excellent resistance to ghosting and veiling flare.

12. Great chromatic aberration control (both lateral and axial).

Cons:

1. Inconsistent spacing between aperture markings.

2. Varying stop increments, transitioning from 1/3 to 1/2 to 1 full stop on small apertures.

3. Short focus throw requires precise focusing.

4. Focusing rotation with the tab isn’t as smooth as with some top-tier lenses.

5. Corners aren’t as sharp at wide apertures.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1878983/9#final

[LarsHP]

On 2/12/2025 at 3:58 PM, 3D-Kraft.com said:

I have the Nokton 50/1.0 ASPH and the Simera 50/1.4 ASPH but not the Nokton 50/1.2 ASPH. From what I have seen, the Nokton 50/1.0 stopped down to f/1.2 behaves pretty similar to the 50/1.2. (...)

I strongly disagree with that. I have both the 50mm Nokton lenses. 

They are not comparable in many ways, particularly regarding field curvature and close focus performance. The f/1.2 lens has an almost perfectly flat plane of focus and average optical vignetting, while the f/1.0 version has a notorious outward bending field and strong optical vignetting, which in some scenarios leads to dramatically odd-looking background blur (much, much less well away from center). 

As has already been pointed out, the f/1.2 lens doesn't have close focus correction, and for this reason, it has spherical aberration at close distance leading to "glow" and softer micro contrast. For some subjects, this makes a beautiful rendering, but the f/1.0 is clearly sharper looking, thanks to it's FLE design. On the other hand, the f/1.2 lens is actually sharper at longer distances, comparing both lenses wide open.

For night photography in cities etc., the coma of the f/1.0 lens is a deal-breaker. Points of light near the edges or corners get huge, long light streaks that doesn't disappear unless stopped well down (effectively nullifying the f/1.0 max aperture for that kind of images). The f/1.2 does much, much better in that regard.

[Leicaboy Norway]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:32 PM, Vanillasludge said:

I love my Nokton 1.2.  Amazing flare resistance, mega sharp and beautiful bokeh.  

Some have noted a softness at close distances but I find that past two meters it’s very sharp at full aperture. 
 

Best wishes 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Holy moly that's character. Looks better han my Summilux 50 asph!

[Jan1985]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I start to love this lens and how it renders. Leica M11 + Thypoch 50mm Simera @ 1.4 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

45cm - Close Focus Distance @1.4