The Thypoch AF 23mm f/1.4 Sculptor Is the Lightest and Most Affordable Prime of Its Kind
Thypoch has announced its first autofocus prime lens, the $349 AF 23mm f/1.4 Sculptor for Fujifilm X mount.
With its approximately 35mm equivalent focal length, Thypoch’s first autofocus lens for Fujifilm X mount and first autofocus prime lens period is well-suited to a wide range of photographic applications. The 35mm focal length is a classic one for a reason. It works well for street, landscapes, portraits, and travel, to name a few go-to genres.
Thypoch has long been associated with classically-inspired manual focus lenses, like the Simera 50mm f/1.4 and Ksana 21mm f/3.5. However, the company’s vibe changed considerably when it launched its first autofocus lens, the Voyager 24-50mm f/2.8 for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras.
The new Thypoch AF 23mm f/1.4 Sculptor is styled much like the Voyager, with diagonal lines and a vintage-inspired yet modern design. Although beauty is subjective, the Sculptor will likely earn a few fans thanks to its handsome looks.
It's ultimately what's on the inside that counts, though. Inside the Sculptor, 12 lens elements are arranged across ten groups, promising edge-to-edge sharpness even at the maximum f/1.4 aperture. A 10-bladed aperture diaphragm sits behind the glass.
The lens is also quite compact, measuring just 71.4 millimeters (2.8 inches) long with a 52mm front filter thread. The lens weighs 283 grams (just under 10 ounces).
The autofocus prime can focus as close as 0.25 meters (0.82 feet), giving a maximum magnification of about 0.13x. It's definitely not a macro lens.
The Sculptor's most obvious competitor is Fujifilm's own XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens, which costs $1,049.95. Fujifilm's lens weighs 375 grams (13.2 ounces) and is 77.8 millimeters (3.1 inches) long. Thypoch's new lens is much lighter and more affordable.
Another competitor is the Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. It's $609 right now thanks to a $50 discount and is generally well respected. It weighs 340 grams (12 ounces) and is 76.9 millimeters (three inches) long. Again, heavier than Thypoch's new lens by a decent margin.
Then there's the TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4 lens, which costs just $113.99. There's a big catch, though, as TTArtisan's lens is manual focus only. It is extremely compact, measuring just 40.5 millimeters (1.6 inches) long. It weighs about 230 grams (8.1 ounces).
Pricing and Availability
The Thypoch Sculptor AF 23mm f/1.4 should ship soon. It's available to preorder now for $349. It's the most affordable autofocus-equipped 23mm f/1.4 prime lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras, and the lightest AF lens of its kind for the system. It will likely attract significant attention among Fujifilm camera owners.
Image creditsThypoch
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