Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2 Review

[@thilipdhev]

Really love the music taste of ur videos. In fact ur voice and the music is pleasant throughout the video and that makes any "listener" to watch and any watcher to "listen" Cheers brother. Good style 😊

[@henrybeckmeyer8393]

Oh how I wish for this in LTM Mount!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Thanks. Good review of what seems a nice Planar.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you. It certainly is.

[@gregpantelides1355]

Thank you for a very thoughtful and heartfelt review. Much appreciated.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your kind feedback. Glad you enjoyed the review.

[@janjasiewicz9851]

Thanks

[@---us7qf]

I think they should retain the brass finish, as an option, when it goes into general availability.

[@AnalogInsights]

And Thypoch did just that for the limited edition. Seems like they had the same hunch. :) thypoch.com/Eureka.html

[@jasonwhitehead4068]

I’m definitely with you on this one

[@---us7qf]

@@jasonwhitehead4068 Thank you Jason. Yes, according to the link ThyPoch will. I can even put in my order for the brass copy, now. Have a good day!

[@andrewrothman7805]

Great review. I bought the lens recently and was worried about the lack of filter threads. But in addition to the supplied UV filter, I found that my Leica SOOGZ A-36/E-39 push-on adapter works perfectly, so I can use all of my E-39 filters.

[@SteveKleinheider]

A really nice and informative review...two thumbs up!

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your kind comment. Really appreciate it.

[@northstar1950]

I'm pleased to see you mentioned it's remarkable likeness to the TH F2. I'm lucky enough to own a TH F2 that Came with Reid III based on the Leica IIIb.

[@Festgriff]

Another - as always - excellent video.

[@HARTBLANCH]

Thank you very much for this discover! You speak french very well too. 👍

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. That’s very kind. But my proficiency in French is quite limited unfortunately.

[@RoubenDickranian]

great review on this new lens. thank you

[@erichung9043]

Thanks for the review. I have just preordered the brass version. Wish it were black paint to match my MP. But its collapsed size is wonderul. I have been on the look out for a vintage Summitar or Summicron. But the problem with these vintage Leica's is that their front elements are very fragile and can be easily scratched. I haven't come across any vintage one that is in top mint condition without paying an obsurd price.

[@AnalogInsights]

Thanks for your comment. And yes, this is true and one of the reasons why I believe there is a market for such a vintage inspired lens.

[@davidlynch5297]

Impressive photos!

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you, that's very kind. Appreciate the feedback.

[@dlyon9673]

Thank you for this well done review. According to BH, it looks like the brass version will be a production option, along with the aluminum version. I'm very happy with my 28mm Thypoch Symera, so this lens also appears very attractive.

[@AnalogInsights]

Great. That wasn’t clear yet when I produced this review in February/March. Very nice. Also glad to hear that you enjoy the 28mm Simera as well. 👌🏻

[@Mr_Quimper]

I have the 28mm F1.4 Simera. Which works well on the M11. I could see myself getting this for my M5. To lean into the beauty of imperfections, that film gives.

[@AnalogInsights]

Sounds like a great match. I can imagine that it looks beautiful on the M5 as well.

[@SusiCassina]

@@AnalogInsights You can't use this lense on Leica M5, you will damage camera! No M5 and no Leica Cl with collapsible lenses!

[@justcallmesando]

This brand really excites me

[@webersteve1547]

Nice touch with this engraving. I hope they will make it in black paint brass.

[@duncaninvest]

thank you for sharing and insights

[@calumdavey3260]

Fantastic review, as ever. Would love to hear/see your take on the Brightin Star 28mm f2.8 pancake for Leica M....

[@the_last_rangefinder_society]

Interesting lens……….great to see this segment expanding. Now if only they’d make an M6 with a Nikon F shutter I’d be set……..

[@AnalogInsights]

Hahaha. Well, you can always wish for it.

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

Burger King? I would very surprised if you ate food from any fast food chain. I love that Taylor Hobson design and I have a 1937 Leica Xenon 50mm f/1.5 with the DRP and 3-rings that produces some very cool vintage images.

[@nvrumi]

That made me laugh, too. I really like the double Gauss design. I think that those vintage designers did some outstanding work and those lens still produce outstanding images.

[@PrestonThomasCafe]

I actually hit "pause" and backed up... hilarious.

[@wilfredshum3703]

Very nice review. You are spot on concerning the quality issues of most vintage lenses. Though I was fortunate to have acquired a Leica Xenon manufactured in 1939 that actually performs well enough to my satisfaction, a few of my other purchases had to be CLA before use. Even so, I would never know if they were restored to their original condition. Since I have been looking for one with collapsible lens, this video is much appreciated. I know you are a film shooter, but I wonder if this lens will perform as good for digital? BTW, in Valletta, I was able to get some nice pictures of that dome from the top of the street looking down.

[@lensman5762]

This one sounds interesting. I would like to see it in brass and black paint. I am not a fan of Aluminium barrels on high value M lenses. Also, I hope that it can be used on M Digital as well as film .

[@0_uch]

It works on digital - Benj H on YT just posted shooting on an M11

[@AnalogInsights]

Of course. It works perfectly fine on a digital M as well. 👌🏻

[@ankerwiedemann]

Really interesting vintage lens design. Definitely worthy of comparison with the Summicron. I'd be tempted to try it though I already have not one but two Summicrons ;-) It would pair nicely with my M3

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, I agree. It looks fantastic on the M3 and the main advantage over the Summicron is the compact form factor.

[@mwales2112]

Would love to see it in black..

[@cammackey]

Can you screw on filters to the UV filter at least? If so, what size are the filters!

[@AnalogInsights]

The filter size is the classic A36. And yes, I believe you can screw additional filters on top of it. I cannot double check right now but am fairly certain. Hope this helps.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Nice video, but several questions: 1) I noticed some wobble on the telescoping from half of the lens during the close-up B-roll. Have you seen any effect on image quality, especially at wide apertures? 2) How was rangefinder cam calibration on this preproduction copy? 3) You didn’t mention how you got along with the infinity lock lever. Was this a distraction or nuisance to rapidly focusing the lens? 4) Was this a loaner from Thypoch or did you purchase it? Thank you!

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your questions. Happy to answer. 1) No, I didn’t notice any effects on the images. 2) The rangefinder calibration was perfect. No need to calibrate it. 3) I am used to such infinity locks from my use of vintage lenses. So it didn’t bother me at all. I mentioned this in some of my other videos as well. 4) The lens featured in the video is one of five pre-production versions worldwide. You can’t purchase it.

[@jls2975]

I love my collapsible 50mm's Summicron and Elmar Do you know how these compare to this new lens ?

[@thomashilmersen711]

Interesting lens, but does it lock into the extended position? I used to own the old collapsible Leica 50mm 2,8, and it would often inadvertently move out of the fully extended position when I moved the aperture or focus ring. Also, the fact that the whole front part moved when focusing was a pain in the axx.

[@shanecaut1063]

Nice review. Does the aperture turn the opposite direction to standard leica direction?

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, it does.

[@doozledumbler5393]

Interested how it would compare to a Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2. I'm guessing the Elcan would be a totally different, less modern, look.

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, indeed. I haven’t tested the Elcan yet but based on the samples I have seen, the optical quality is not on par with the Eureka. Completely different lenses in terms of character and quality.

[@Edwin_Lam]

Would you recommend the aluminum or the brass version? Does the lens have any play while it’s extended?

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. I didn't notice any play in my pre-production version and wouldn't expect any in the final production version. Yet, I didn't get a chance to try that one. Regarding your question: It obviously comes down to your preferences regarding weight, look and feel. Personally, I would go for the brass version but if light weight is important to you, the aluminum version is obviously a great choice.

[@nelsonm.5044]

Also the french word for lens is objecrif

[@_H_2023]

The Thypoch is priced at 454.00 UK pounds compared to the Taylor Hobson 2,000+ pounds second hand. However have you considered the rare Canon Serenar f1.9 roughly 450 UK pounds that is nice and sharp with a wonderful bokeh. M39 Brass/chrome body and beautifully made. Production was only three years 49/52 and Canon made a loss on every lens they built due to the high quality & cost of materials, they ended up selling the lens with a camera body ie the body made the profit.

[@AnalogInsights]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@AardvarkAdventure]

The Serenar 1.9 goes for ~$175 on ebay. I rarely use mine because the images wash out so quickly when shooting vaguely in the direction of the sun, but it really is a beautifully made lens...just from a different era.

[@HenriCB-td9zd]

Great video, as usual. After some consideration, I wonder what does this lens really offer over a Summicron Rigid, later Summicrons or the collapsible Elmar M? A Taylor Hobson replica is already out these from LLL. Additionally, these Chinese lenses never retain much value on the 2nd hand market, always a consideration. My preference for a lightweight walkaround lens would be the upcoming and tiny Voigtlander 2,2/50 at 150gms.

[@GeraldFigal]

Thank you for prompting me to drop more money on lenses. 😂

[@AnalogInsights]

Haha. Oops. 😅✌🏻

[@Bodywern]

Well, you’ve “sold” the lens to me. Not sure if I’ll buy it, but I’ll keep an open mind on the possibility.

[@mrqciek]

Hello. I've read on philipereeve review that 50 eureka has a huge focus shift. That's true? Or he had just a bad copy of the Lens ?

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. I didn’t notice that at all in my test. Maybe there was a calibration problem rather than focus shift issue?

[@inahaase889]

👍❤😎

[@funbichons5215]

Did I miss the price of this lens?

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

wasn't mentioned

[@jakobolszewski6034]

669,- / 979,- EUR (aluminum/ brass version) see the link in the description

[@AnalogInsights]

Yes, it wasn’t mentioned since it wasn’t known at the time of the review.

[@jahntraxler]

This is the exactly the same optical design as the Leitz Summar 50mm f2

[@AnalogInsights]

You are right. I actually have this lens here and missed the opportunity to compare it side by side. Very interesting. Thank you for pointing this out.

[@AnalogInsights]

I double-checked with Thypoch and apparently this is a coincidence. The designer wasn't even aware of the Leitz Summar. Seems not unlikely given that such a Double Gauss design is quite common. It would have been an interesting comparison as I happen to have both lenses here (one inherited).

[@amarthgul5578]

This would be a weird and quite unreasonable statement. The optical design of this lens one from Thypoch is a Planar derivative, a double Gauss consists of 6 elements in 4 groups, positive - PN doublet - stop - NP doublet - positive. Guess who also use this *exact* configuration? Zeiss Planar (1896 and numerous later models), Zeiss Biotar 58mm 1939, Cooke Series O, Nikkor 50mm f/2, to name a few. The Planar is simply too common a template for lenses around the 50mm focal length, especially during the SLR era thanks to its ability to produce more telocentric exiting rays. Even if someone wants to replicate the old design number to number, it is next to impossible now due to material concerns. The 1978 Summicorn, for example, were using glasses that are no longer manufactured, ND 1.792 VD 47.15, or ND 1.671 VD 41.64, etc., are no where to be found in Schott, Sumita, Hoya, CDGM, Ohara, Hikari, you name it. Even if you wish, it's not like you can just go ahead and just copy paste the design, there are a lot more than that.

[@jahntraxler]

@@amarthgul5578 dude, its just glass for our cameras go click click. The MTF chart of the Thypoch is clearly different from the Summar because blablabla glass whatever. Its great to revive the old optical formula using new coating and glass, and thats it. Not a offense to say they are equal/similar/exactly the same just because the glass or some radius is not the exacly the same.

[@amarthgul5578]

@@jahntraxler it baffles me then why would someone say things that lacks both factual value and subjective opinion, shouldn’t shutting up be a far better and wiser option?

[@ianroe1076]

Although it is sobering to see a collapsible lens produced in 2024, I feel like this lens doesn't satisfy a particularly interesting niche. Many, many high-quality 5cm f2 collapsible lenses have been produced by Canon and Leica and can be found for around $200-500 in good condition, or are easily cleaned with some simple handiwork and tools. The stepless aperture ring is an interesting feature although I'd need to see how badly the lens breathes before I would consider it usable for video. I hope they keep at their M-mount (or ideally LTM) lenses, and try collapsible again but at a more unusual focal length like 135mm, 75mm, or 40mm with fewer (if any) existing options.

[@shred3005]

The quality of the finish looks a bit cheap?

[@AnalogInsights]

Thank you for your comment. As briefly mentioned in the video, I took a pre-production version of the lens to Malta which should not be judged as final in terms of finishing and production quality. You can find images of the final production version via the links in the video description.

[@SpencerLupul]

also a lens is ein objektiv in German 😉

[@ZOMBIELUIS666]

Great video but these M mount lenses are useless to me. Lol

[@dompeticca]

Why demo the brass when it’s only going to be available in aluminum ? Super strange.

[@AnalogInsights]

It will be available in brass as well. Please check their website. There will be a limited edition.

[@jhasi7974]

ist das jetzt ein reiner dauerwerbe-channel? finde ich schade. war mal ein guter channel :)

[@AnalogInsights]

Keine Sorge. Dieses Review wurde bereits im Februar/März produziert und erschien nur zufällig so nah beim anderen. Der Kanal wird auch weiterhin eine sehr gesunde Mischung aus verschiedenen Themen abdecken. Und im Positiven: Die analoge Branche professionalisiert sich zunehmend und es gibt mittlerweile wieder neue Produkte und Hersteller, die bereit sind, diese produktiv zu bewerben. Ich empfinde das als eine gute Entwicklung, die ich mir beim Start des Kanals vor über sieben Jahren nicht hätte erträumen können.