Simmod Simmod APSARA LUMIERE T1.4 Super Speed 4-Lens Set Review
The Simmod APSARA LUMIERE 24mm T1.4 is a manual cine lens that trades autofocus for a beautiful, organic image. It's built for filmmakers who want character, not clinical perfection.
The 30-Second Version
The Simmod APSARA LUMIERE 24mm T1.4 is a manual cine lens built for look, not specs. It delivers a beautiful, organic image with controlled flares, but lacks autofocus and stabilization. Its optical quality scores in the 86th percentile. Worth considering at the lower end of its huge price range, but shop hard.
Overview
The Simmod APSARA LUMIERE 24mm T1.4 is a manual cinema lens built for a specific vibe. It's not trying to be clinically perfect. Instead, it's designed to give your footage that organic, painterly look with controlled flares and a soft, natural contrast that's hard to get from modern autofocus glass.
This is a full-frame lens with a massive 43.3mm image circle, so it covers open-gate formats without a sweat. At 680g, it's a solid chunk of metal and glass, and it comes with a Sony E-mount adapter right out of the box. The built-in focus mark light is a nice touch for pulling focus in the dark.
Performance
Optically, this lens is sharp where it counts, landing in the 86th percentile in our database. That T1.4 aperture is fast, letting in a ton of light for low-light shooting. But the trade-off is a minimum focus distance of 260mm, which is pretty far for a 24mm lens. Its macro score is decent at the 64th percentile, but you won't be getting super close-up shots. The 12-blade iris promises smooth, round bokeh, and the 270-degree focus rotation gives you plenty of room for precise manual pulls.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Delivers a unique, organic 'cinematic' look with controlled lens flares. 85th
- Fast T1.4 aperture is excellent for low-light and shallow depth of field. 65th
- Solid, durable build with a built-in illuminated focus scale.
- Huge 43.3mm image circle covers full-frame and open-gate sensors.
Cons
- Manual focus only, with no autofocus or stabilization. 29th
- Minimum focus distance of 260mm limits close-up capability.
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it away from the elements.
- The 77mm filter thread is common, but the front diameter is a bulky 80mm.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 14 |
| Groups | 11 |
Aperture
| Diaphragm Blades | 12 |
Build
| Mount | Interchangeable Mount with Included Sony E |
| Format | Large Format (43.3 mm Image Circle) |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 260 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
Value & Pricing
Here's the tricky part: we've seen this lens priced anywhere from $849 to a staggering $3200. At the lower end, it's a compelling option for indie filmmakers wanting that high-end cine look without the high-end price. At three grand, it's a much harder sell unless you're specifically buying into the full APSARA LUMIERE lens kit ecosystem. Shop around, because that price spread is wild.
Price History
vs Competition
This lens lives in a different world than its top competitors. The Meike 55mm F1.8 or Viltrox 35mm F1.7 are modern, autofocus stills lenses—they're sharp, fast, and versatile for photography. The APSARA LUMIERE is the opposite: it's a manual, character-driven cine lens. Compared to a workhorse zoom like the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8, you're trading flexibility and autofocus for a specific aesthetic and that ultra-fast T1.4 aperture. It's not better or worse, it's just built for a completely different job.
| Spec | Simmod Simmod APSARA LUMIERE T1.4 Super Speed 4-Lens Set | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm f1.7 Z, AF 35mm F1.7 Z-Mount for | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Sony YONGNUO Upgraded YN50MM F1.8S DA DSM II Lens, for | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens (Nikon Z) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 50mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | — | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Interchangeable Mount with Included Sony E | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z | Sony A, Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 680 | 179 | 544 | 281 | 198 | 329 |
| AF Type | — | STM | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | — | — | Zoom | — | — | Zoom |
Common Questions
Q: Is this lens good for photography?
Not really. It's manual focus only, has no autofocus, and is specifically tuned for cinematic video rendering. For stills, a modern AF lens will be much more practical.
Q: What does 'T1.4' mean compared to 'F1.4'?
T-stops (like T1.4) measure the actual light transmission, which is critical for cinema. F-stops are a geometric measurement. For video, T-stops are more accurate, and T1.4 is extremely fast.
Q: Can I use this on a Super 35 or APS-C sensor camera?
Yes, absolutely. The huge 43.3mm image circle means it will cover sensors much larger than full-frame, so it has no problem with smaller sensors, though the field of view will be tighter.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this lens if you need autofocus, image stabilization, or weather sealing. It's a terrible choice for travel or run-and-gun shooting. Also, if you prioritize razor-sharp, clinically perfect images, look at modern photo lenses instead. This one adds character, which isn't always what you want.
Verdict
Buy this lens if you're a filmmaker or videographer who values 'character' over clinical perfection, and you're okay with manual everything. It's for the creator who wants that vintage-inspired, painterly look straight out of the camera, especially if you shoot narrative or moody projects. The built-in focus light and geared rings make it a natural fit for rigs with follow focuses.