What the Simera-C 16mm T1.9 Is and Why It Matters
The Simera-C 16mm T1.9 cinema lens is Thypoch’s widest full-frame cine prime, designed as an ultra-wide, fast-aperture lens that delivers near-zero distortion, consistent handling, and affordable access to high-resolution, full-frame cinema optics for mirrorless and compact camera systems. By joining the existing Simera-C primes from 21mm to 75mm, it gives filmmakers an expansive, immersive perspective while keeping size, weight, and field performance in line with the rest of the series. This ultra-wide cinema lens targets narrative, commercial, and gimbal-based work where a 16mm cine prime can open up tight interiors, establish locations, or emphasize scale without resorting to bulky zooms or rental-only glass. In short, it is intended as a practical working tool for independent filmmakers and small crews who need a consistent, full-frame cinema lens kit that spans ultra-wide to medium telephoto coverage.
Optical Design: Ultra-Wide Field of View with T1.9 Aperture
Thypoch’s new Simera-C 16mm T1.9 cinema lens delivers a 106° diagonal field of view on full-frame, with 96° horizontal and 73° vertical coverage, giving filmmakers a genuine ultra-wide cinema lens that still promises "near-zero distortion in a feather-light build," according to Cined. The optical formula uses 15 elements in 11 groups, combining aspherical, low-dispersion, and high-refractive-index glass to support an 85 lp/mm peak center resolution and 8K-capable performance across the frame. A 16-blade iris, shared with the rest of the Simera-C cinema lens lineup, is designed for rounded bokeh and smooth specular highlights. While the 16mm is the slowest of the series, a T1.9 aperture at this focal length remains fast in the 16mm cine prime category, giving operators more flexibility in low-light scenes, night exteriors, and available-light interiors without pushing ISO as hard.
Handling Consistency and Close-Focus for Modern Rigs
Physically, the Simera-C 16mm T1.9 keeps to the compact, unified form factor that defines the Simera-C cinema lens line. The E-mount version measures 79.3 mm in length, while the Leica M-mount sits under 70 mm, with weights of 490 g and 467 g respectively, putting it close to the existing 21mm prime. A 67 mm front diameter with M62 filter threads matches the 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm, simplifying matte box and filter setups. Both focus and aperture rings use 0.8 MOD gears and a 210° focus throw, supporting precise pulls with wireless follow-focus systems. Minimum focus distance drops to 0.16 m from the sensor plane, the closest in the range, helped by a floating element design. This makes the 16mm useful not only for sweeping wides but also for intimate, near-macro shots with strong foreground presence on gimbals or handheld rigs.
E and M-Mount Flexibility Across Camera Systems
The Simera-C 16mm T1.9 arrives in both Sony E-mount and Leica M-mount, aligning with the rest of the Simera-C cinema lens series and giving productions flexibility across bodies and platforms. The 43.2 mm image circle covers full-frame sensors but still plays nicely with Super 35 and APS-C cameras. Thypoch highlights the Leica M version as especially adaptable: with standard adapters, it can move onto L-mount, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, and other mirrorless mounts, and with locking adapters it can even run on ARRI and Sony cinema cameras such as Alexa Mini LF or VENICE. The compact dimensions also mean the Simera-C cinema lens kit fits on gimbal platforms like DJI’s Ronin 4D without counterweights, and compatibility with DJI Focus Pro motors lets crews drive the manual glass electronically on lightweight builds.
A Complete Six-Lens Cinema Kit from 16mm to 75mm
Alongside the 16mm T1.9, Thypoch now offers a six-lens Simera-C cinema lens kit that spans 16mm, 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm, in either Sony E or Leica M mounts. This range covers ultra-wide establishing shots through to medium-telephoto portrait framing, giving a coherent set of primes for narrative and commercial projects. Individual lens weights run from 353 g up to 491 g, keeping the full kit under 3 kg and ensuring consistent balance when swapping lenses on gimbals, shoulder rigs, or handheld setups. All lenses share the same 43.2 mm image circle, 16-blade iris, geared rings, and focus throw, so the Simera-C cinema lens kit promises a unified aesthetic and handling character from focal length to focal length. For transport, Thypoch is also releasing metal hard cases and Pelican-compatible foam inserts tailored to this six-lens configuration.
