This 28mm is 97% perfect

28mm might be my favourite focal length when it’s done well, especially for documentary and street photography style work.

The image feels like you’re really there. The photographer didn’t just observe it from a distance, they existed in the scene.

personally, 35mm is still my most used as I find it easier to come away with something okay

and then I think 50mm and longer starts to feel like there’s a separation between the photographer and the moment.

however, a 28mm photograph has more of an impact on how it makes me feel. but it’s just so much more difficult to execute.

With that being said, as soon as I started shooting on the Leica m11p at the end of last year I bought the 35mm summilux. But coming out of 2023 shooting on Q2 which is 28mm a little part of me did miss the 28 focal length.

Well… fast forward a couple weeks - Thypoch got in touch and sent me this, the Simera 28mm f/1.4. It’s been 2 months since I’ve had my hands on the lens and today I thought I’d share my opinion.

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[oliverbiggsphotography]

Completely agree that 28mm and up close just makes it feel really nice and present. But when doing street/doc/journalism type stuff I just feel so anxious about getting as close as I'd realistically like for the most pleasing image. I find that a 35mm is a happy medium for me when I'm photographing real people and locations.

[-chris-]

The infinity-lock is actually a remnant from the old screw-mount times. Locking the focus ring helped a lot with unscrewing the lenses back then. I had a Canon 50 1.4 LTM some time ago and this one had the lock ... and I hated it as well ;-)

[atmaka]

I have one of this in silver. Because the focus ring is really close to the mount, with the infinity lock it will be easier to attach/remove the lens. It’s an unpopular opinion but I like it 😊

[JamesParsons]

Wonderful review, glad you stayed away from specs and just spoke about the experience itself

[IanPayne]

I am using the wide angle adaptor on my x100v taking it to 28 ish mm more and more these days. Shooting from the hip is so much easier than with the 35.

[MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hey Mike, good to see you got a copy of this lens! If you want a small good f2 get the Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f2 V2. If you want tiny look at the 28mm f2.8 Skopar. All are nice but the Thypoch focuses closer and is of course faster.

[Daarafsh]

A few months ago, I received the 35mm version of this lens from Typoch, and it's become my go-to lens for my X-Pro 3. I love the way it renders colors. I'm excited to try the 28mm version as well, and I can't wait to take it out for some street photography.

[xjc]

I thought about buying the lens in this video, but since I prefer a light lens, I chose the Voigtlander 28mm F1.5 Type 1 (250g).

[Malick]

Size wise ... when you put it next to the 28MM 1.7 of the Q/2/3, it's significantly smaller... about the same length, but significantly smaller in diameter. Basically I was surprised how "small" it was in person, but yeah, it's a chunky boy when compared to other compact lenses.

[ka_sh_iif]

28 Elmarit is so awesome, it’s such a sharp tiny lens. Yes it’s 2.8 but for street I don’t really care. I have it paired with an M11 and…😮‍💨 I love the portability of the setup.

[colinthecameraguy]

Ooooh they will soon be releasing a version in X-Mount!
I look forward to someone making a comparison between the Symera 28mm and the Voigtlander Ultron 27mm!

[JS-shim]

Why didn’t you just keep using your Q2? I bought a SL3 because I needed a body to use different focal lengths and different lens lines, but I kept my Q2 and always take it with me to be my primary or secondary camera. In Leica pricing terms, a Q2/Q3 costs the same as buying a Leica 28mm SL or M lens. The other advantage is that rather than fiddling around and changing lenses on a SL or M, with a Q2/3 you can pull the camera out of your bag and it is immediately ready to go.

[FullFrameStudio]

They should make one now for L-mount, pls thanks.

[dlyon]

Thank you for this well done video. I agree regarding your focal length comments. 50mm now seems like a telephoto, and 28 and 35 more closely to how I feel I see my surroundings. I also agree the Thypoch 28mm is very nice and an excellent deal. I also like the slightly more expensive but quite compact Voitglander 28mm f1.5.

[alholston-smith]

Nice lens, similar to the Zeiss 28mm f/2, and smaller also. The silver front ring is polished metal, so it will not, show marks from mounting filters or the lens shade. Since this is s locking ring mount, I prefer polished metal here, the lens shade hides the silver ring. Also, you will get better Micro contrast, if you use the lens shade in most situations. It also adds a bit of protection for the lens. I have the Zeiss 28mm with the F mount, and it is also a wonderful lens, and was a favorite of Hollywood Cine photographers. Cheers

[IOSALive]

Mike Chudley, You're so talented! I had to hit the like button!

[michaellin]

Hello Mike. First of all, great video. Thank you for sharing.

I'm curious to know where you heard about Thypoch releasing infinity lock-less versions of the M mount 28mm in the future. Wondering if this is just speculation or a confirmed update from Thypoch.

[homebrecker]

They do a silver ring around the end because sliding the bayonet hood on and off would strip the paint if it was black, but I totally agree. I have sold voigtlander lenses because the silver ring drives me crazy lol. I also agree on infinity locks, especially for street photography I want to be able to change focus quickly without an extra step. If they made a small f2 version I would totally buy it.

[edshotsdotcodotuk]

The size probably isn't just the 1.4 but the closer than 70cm at 40cm. Love the zone focus dots.

[Feuergeist]

Hi Mike, thanks for the review. Very interesting lens, but I finally went with the Voigtländer 28/1.5 Typ II and I’m very happy with it. Absolutely great lens and I share every statement you made about the 28mm focal length.

Have made a session in the evening with my girlfriend in low light, was blown away with the look of the pictures and the performance of the lens. Had the Q2 as a reference point to compare and the CV28/1.5 is awesome on the M11.

Would be curious though to compare the Thypoch 🧐.