A Vision Rooted in Heritage
The name Apsara is drawn from ancient Hindu and Buddhist mythology, where Apsaras are celestial dancers — spirits of light and grace who move between heaven and earth.
Apsaras are sacred symbols of beauty, storytelling, and divine movement, often carved into the stone walls of Angkor Wat as eternal guardians of art and spirit. To us, the name represents more than myth — it reflects the soul of cinematography itself.
A lens, like an Apsara, captures light in motion, translating it into emotion, poetry, and meaning. Apsara Lenses are built in that spirit — not just as tools, but as vessels of heritage, precision, and the timeless power of image-making.
"SACRED GROUND, SACRED HEARTS
From modding lenses to making our own
Apsara Lenses is the culmination of a journey that began with Simmod Lens—a company founded by cinematographer Ron Sim csc. What started as an operation modifying vintage lenses for filmmakers quickly evolved into a globally respected brand, trusted by professionals for high-quality lens mods, accessories, and custom builds.
Simmod Lens became the go-to name for lens personalization in the industry. Over the years, Ron disassembled and rebuilt thousands of lenses, developing an intimate understanding of optics, coatings, mechanics, and the language of image-making. The more he built for others, the more one vision grew stronger: It was time to build his own.
With the technical expertise of Simmod and the artistic heart of a cinematographer, Ron created Apsara Lenses—a lens brand inspired by his Cambodian roots, his Buddhist upbringing, and a lifelong obsession with light.
24 | 35 | 50 | 75 SUPER SPEED T1.4
LUMIÈRE Series
For mirrorless and large-format digital creators
Timeless softness. Poetic flare. Precision-built.
Inspired by the aesthetics of vintage glass, the Lumière Series delivers a uniquely cinematic look—organic rendering, controlled flares, and rich tonal depth. Built for creators who demand both beauty and performance, Lumière lenses feature modern internal mechanics for smooth operation and consistent results.
Now featuring our patent-pending illumination technology, each lens is equipped with discreet built-in lighting to clearly reveal focus and iris markings—even in low-light conditions or on dark sets. No more guessing or fumbling in the shadows. Lumière gives you clarity, inside and out.
"IN LIGHT. IN WATER. IN LOVE."
PRESTIGE Series
For PL and LPL-mount large-format cinema cameras
Bold character. Unparalleled precision. Designed for the discerning eye.
The PRESTIGE Series represents the pinnacle of Apsara’s optical craftsmanship—a line of high-performance cinema lenses built for the most demanding productions, from narrative features to commercial and studio work.
Each Prestige lens is engineered to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness, consistent T-stops, and minimal chromatic aberration, while still embracing the subtle optical imperfections that give images soul. The rendering is cinematic, with painterly bokeh and controlled vintage character, designed to elevate modern digital sensors without erasing texture or emotion.
Crafted with robust, all-metal housings and unified gear positions for seamless matte box and follow focus integration, these lenses are built to withstand the intensity of real-world production. The Prestige Series also incorporates advanced multi-element coatings for balanced contrast, as well as tight mechanical tolerances for buttery-smooth focus pulls and rock-solid repeatability.
Each unit is hand-assembled, calibrated, and tested in Canada, going through an extensive quality assurance process that includes optical centering, dark room flare testing, weather simulations, and thermal regulation—all to ensure performance in every condition, from the Arctic to Angkor.
Made for cinematographers who know that precision isn’t the absence of character—it’s the control of it.
"THROUGH THE FRAMES OF TIME"
24 | 35 | 50 | 75 | 100 MACRO PRIME T2.0
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
If you’re here reading this, it means you’re considering trusting me — and these lenses — with your images, your stories, your vision. That means more than I can fully express. I know what it feels like to invest in gear — to search for tools that don’t just function, but feel right. So thank you for considering Apsara as part of your kit, and possibly, your creative process.
From one storyteller to another — I see you, and I’m honored you’re here.
I never set out to start a lens company. I just wanted to tell stories — stories that mattered, stories that moved people. But somewhere between the long days on set and the quiet nights spent tearing apart vintage glass in my spare bedroom, something shifted. I realized I didn’t just want to use lenses — I wanted to make them.
Apsara is the result of that journey. Born from years behind the camera and shaped by my roots as a Cambodian refugee raised in Canada, this project is deeply personal. Every design choice, every coating, every subtle imperfection we chose to keep — it’s all intentional. I wanted to create something that honored the soul of the old, with the precision of the new. A tool that doesn’t just capture light, but brings emotion to the surface.
To everyone who’s helped me along the way — mentors, machinists, friends who answered midnight calls — you know who you are. I couldn’t have done this without you.
And to the next generation of filmmakers: I hope these lenses help you see the world the way you imagine it. When you hold an Apsara lens, know that you’re not buying from a company — you’re buying from a fellow cinematographer, a personal friend, a storyteller who understands what it means to chase the perfect frame.
From one filmmaker to another, thank you for letting Apsara be part of your vision.
Ron Sim csc
Founder, Simmod Lens | Apsara Lenses
BORN OF LIGHT. MADE FOR STORYTELLERS
contact us:
