If you don’t know Thypoch, they are a rather new company, which only launched their first set of lenses last year. These lenses were the Thypoch Simera series, which looked like old Leica glass. Not only that, but the Simera lenses had great optics as well. Because of this, I’m happy that Thypoch is back with its second-ever series, the Thypoch Eureka. Currently, this series is composed of only one lens, the M-mount Eureka 50mm f/2, a lens with a look so retro to fool anyone into thinking it’s from the 1950s.
The Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2
Seeing the Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2 on an old camera makes even a vintage lens geek like myself feel like it belongs to the same era—almost like it was bundled with cameras such as the Leica M3. The lens uses a metallic finish and a collapsible design, which, as you would expect from Thypoch, looks like an old Leica Summitar. Even if you don’t care about retro designs, this design is still hard to hate with its compact and convenient nature.
The Eureka 50mm f/2 aperture is plenty fast for a lens this size. It has a 12-blade diaphragm design, which has more blades than most vintage 50mm lenses. In images, this will translate to smoother bokeh circles. The lens has a 0.9m close focus distance, which is just slightly better than the 1-meter distance of the Summitar 50mm f/2 the Eureka is based on.
The M-mount is easily adaptable, and because the Eureka can cover a full-frame sensor, it can be easily adapted to any mirrorless camera. But it would still feel a bit retro on a digital sensor, thanks to Thypoch interesting coating, which simulates the coating of old glass. This should translate to flares similar to vintage lenses. (And I hope that this series follows the same release path of the Simera line to expand to extra mounts as well)
Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2 samples
Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2 specs
NameEureka
ColourSilver
Focal Length50 mm
MountM-Bayonet
Aperturef/2 – f/16
Image Circle43.2 mm (FF)
Construction of Optics6 Elements in 4 Groups
Flange Distance27.8 mm
HoodEureka Lens Hood
Angle of view(diagonal, horizontal, vertical)46° / 39° / 27°
Type of focusingManual focus
Close Focus1m / 3.3ft
Front Dia.∮35.9mm / 1.4″
Filter SizeA36
Length41.2mm / 1.6” (Before Collapse)27mm / 1.1” (After Collapse)
Iris Blade12
Weight (Product)≈120g (Aluminum Alloy)≈218g (Brass)
AccessoriesAttached UV FilterHood and Lens Front Ca
Price and availability
Eureka 50mm f/2 comes with a front cap, a rear cap, a UV filter, and a photo book. The lens is available in aluminum and brass versions for $579 and $859, respectively.
