Edit Notes:

This is the second issue of our user interview series, which we call Thy-Photographer. Wilfred Wong is from Singapore, and his charming street photography and heartwarming family snapshots are the reasons we found him. To our surprise, considering we have only released three manual focus lenses so far, he also owns the Simera 35mm & 28mm f/1.4 lenses. If you're interested in the story of an amateur photographer, this interview can provide some inspiration.

Personal Information

Thypoch: What is your profession? Where do you live?

Wilfred Wong: I work as a manager for a drainage engineering company and currently live in Singapore.

Thypoch: When did you get your first camera? What attracted you to photography?

Wilfred Wong: I got my first camera in my twenties (I'm almost 40 now). I was particularly drawn to street photography. It has an addictive power as I stroll down the streets trying to capture those elusive moments. While I may not always succeed, that precious shot is enough to prove that all the effort is worthwhile.

Thypoch: What is your secret to capturing impressive photos?

Wilfred Wong: Persistence and patience. I carry my camera with me every day. You never know when an interesting subject or great light will appear—just having your camera ready at all times can lead to good or even great work.

Stories with Thypoch

Thypoch: Why did you choose Thypoch? Is there a story you can share with us?

 Wilfred Wong: I have always believed that photography should be accessible to everyone. That said, the pricing of certain brands can be a barrier for most people. The fact that Thypoch produces lenses with exceptional optical performance and robust build quality is worth celebrating—competition among companies is always a good thing in my opinion.

Thypoch: When do you take your Thypoch lenses?

 Wilfred Wong: I usually mount Thypoch lenses on a Leica M11 or adapt them to a Nikon ZF. When shooting on the street, I prefer the 28mm focal length. For capturing quieter family moments, I find the 35mm Simera suits me well.

Thypoch: What is your overall impression of Thypoch lenses?

 Wilfred Wong: I am impressed with the handling and image quality of Thypoch lenses. The craftsmanship is excellent (I own the 28mm and 35mm Simera), and the image quality is also outstanding. I dare say they are slightly sharper than the Zeiss Biogons I have used.

Thypoch: What are your expectations for the future of Thypoch?

 Wilfred Wong: I hope to see small 28/35mm lenses shaped like Leica Summicrons.

Thypoch: Could you please provide three of your favorite Thy-photos and explain why? (camera used)

Skateboard Kid

Simera 28mm f/1.4 + Leica M11

Wilfred Wong: For me, street photography has always been about discovering and capturing unexpected scenes. I mean—what are the odds of a person encountering a disabled person losing a limb while skateboarding? And the man standing behind him wearing a T-shirt that says 'Beaten Up' adds more mystery to the scene.

Peking Opera

Simera 35mm f/1.4 + Leica M11

Wilfred Wong: I have always been interested in capturing scenes of Chinese opera, especially now that this art is gradually fading away in Singapore. The lighting, costumes, and colors always add a dramatic touch, and the Simera captures that perfectly.

Pigeon / Church

Simera 28mm f/1.4 + Nikon Zf

Wilfred Wong: Silhouettes of birds. Cliché? But I think it looks good, especially against the backdrop of the church.

More daily records using Simera 35mm f/1.4 and Simera 28mm f/1.4 can be found at https://www.instagram.com/merely_ok/.

Feel free to post photos taken with Thypoch lenses onsocial media, tagging us with #thypoch or #thypochlens.