*Shipping to Japan Only. For overseas customer, please contact us before order.
The Macro-Switar 50mm f1.8 made by Kern of Switzerland was introduced in 1958 and served as the standard lens for Alpa cameras until 1969. It is one of the rare still-photography lenses produced by Kern, a company primarily dedicated to cine lenses. The lens features a 5-group, 7-element apochromatic design, with distance markings in feet.
Its rendering is truly exceptional, demonstrating remarkable versatility from close-up macro photography to everyday snapshots. Often regarded as a synonym for high performance, this masterpiece lens is beloved for its moist, subtly soft, and captivating image quality that continues to attract photographers today.
In the 1990s, an adapter enabling Leica rangefinder coupling for the Macro-Switar was released by Aoyama Retina House, sparking a major movement among enthusiasts. In recent years, its superb rendering has continued to shine, expanding beyond Alpa and Leica cameras to mirrorless systems as well. Our staff are consistently left in awe each time we conduct practical shooting tests with this legendary lens.
Its heavily used exterior easily suggests the remarkable performance it once delivered. There are signs of wear and paint loss in various places, but no major scratches or dents.
The included hood is also well used, with touch-up marks visible in several areas.
The aperture ring feels slightly stiff, but there is no catching or grinding. The helicoid operates smoothly. When mounted on an Alpa body or adapted to other systems, infinity is reached about 1 cm before the infinity mark on the distance scale (around the 25 feet mark). However, this should not present any practical issues. Paid servicing is available upon request if desired.
The glass shows a few light cleaning marks on the front and rear elements, and there is a whitish coating blemish of about 1 cm square on the rear element. At first glance, the glass condition may not appear ideal, but no impact was observed in actual shooting, and image quality remains very good. Sample images have been posted in our test gallery for your reference.
Due to the less-than-perfect glass condition and a slight tendency toward front focus, we are offering this lens at a special price in its current condition. A great opportunity for those who would like to explore the world of vintage lenses.
