Thypoch Voyager 24-50mm f2.8 Autofocus Zoom Lens (Sony E-Mount) First Look
In this blog I will give you my first impressions of the Thypoch Voyager 24-50mm f/2.8. This is a very unique zoom lens from Thypoch for two reasons: it’s autofocus, and it has full internal zoom. For transparency, this lens was sent to me ahead of release, and I get to keep it after the blog is published. This blog isn’t a review as I’ve only used it for a few weeks, instead think of it as a detailed first look.
Concept
This is a rather unique lens, and in my opinion is one of a kind. The 24-50mm focal length was seen before in the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 zoom, a lens that forms the core part of my photography kit. I praised that lens for the reversible design and the compact size. By that I mean the lens is at its most compact when at 50mm, with the whole package being no bigger than a prime. You can read more about it here.
The Thypoch follows the same concept of a compact 24-50mm package, with the overall footprint being the same as or smaller than most f/1.4 primes. However, there is one huge difference which puts this lens in a category of its own. The zoom is 100% internal. Whether you’re at 24mm or 50mm, the lens does not change size, and nothing visible occurs when zooming in or out. In my opinion, this is the game changer feature that has taken this lens from a mere “looks ok” to a “this has a high chance of replacing my Sony 24-50”.
Cost & Value
This is the most interesting bit… this lens will cost £489 in the UK. This makes it incredibly affordable and less than half the price of the Sony version.
Build Quality
The build quality is outstanding. It feels premium, well put together, and like it would take a beating. The finish has a matte feel that feels smooth but grippy. The rubber material on the focus and zoom dials feels great too. The aperture dial feels solid and sounds premium, even the sound of the function button is nice. Initial impressions are great, however this may differ from long term opinions after extensive use.
Ergonomics
The internal zoom is a game changer. I’m so used to other zoom lenses extending, that at first this felt weird. Now that I’m used to the internal zoom, I don’t think I can go back to a traditional zoom. It’s nice not having the centre of gravity change when you zoom between 24 and 50mm.
This lens feels at home on bigger bodies such as the A7V, however it’s still fine on the smaller systems like the A7C. I would say that on the A7C you feel the weight shift to the front, while on the bigger A7V it feels perfectly balanced. The aperture ring feels nice, the AF/MF switch feels solid, the aperture dial is tactile, and overall I am very happy with the ergonomics of this lens.
Features
I like that this lens is minimal in design and only has the essential features. You get a custom function button that can be programmed to anything you like. I personally have it set to manual focus hold which allows for manual focus operation when the button is held down. This helps me adjust the focus manually when shooting reflections or in difficult situations.
The lens is not only weather resistant, but it has an actual IP rating. It’s IP52 as it comes, and IP53 when fitted with a filter. While you can’t take it in the shower with you, it would withstand most shooting conditions.
The last feature I like is how you update the firmware. You have a USB-C port on the back which connects to your laptop, and the lens is recognised the same as a hard drive. You then go on the Thypoch website which will automatically update the lens if needed.
Image Quality
We are at the stage now where I feel like a broken record talking about image quality. It’s good, that’s it. I’ve been trying many different lenses from different companies and at various price points over the last few years, and I can confidently say that anything around the £400 mark is excellent. Sure, you can pixel peep and study edge sharpness or fringing, or various other imperfections, but for the most part you’re splitting hairs. The lens is sharp at all aperture values, the colours are great, and the image looks good. There is one thing I noticed, and that’s the interesting looking lens flare when shooting into the light without a lens hood. See samples below.
AF Performance
The AF is on par with other third party lenses that use STM motors. It’s fast, reliable, and sticky. If you compare it to the Sony version, which uses linear motors, there are two differences. The Sony lenses are silent, while the Thypoch makes a small sound as the STM motors do their thing. Also, the Sony lens focuses faster due to the linear motors. Overall the AF on this is good and will be suitable for 99% of shooting scenarios. After a couple of weeks of street photography, I haven’t had any focus related issues. I used this lens on the A7CR as well as the A7V. There is a clear performance difference, but that’s down to the A7V being a more modern camera. I have spoken to Thypoch about the slower AF, and they noted that this will be addressed in subsequent firmware updates.
Integration
During my time with the lens, I have noticed an integration bug that I have highlighted to Thypoch. When shooting on my Sony A1ii or A7V, the manual focusing isn’t smooth or precise. It’s a little jerky and feels like a communication issue between the lens and the camera. On the A7R5, I don’t have this issue. This was highlighted to Thypoch and they confirmed a firmware update will be coming to fix this. I suspect this is due to this being a new product and a first of its kind for Thypoch, so it’s not a concern for me at all.
Learn More
To learn more about this lens, head over to their page - https://thypoch.com/en/voyager/24-50mm
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!