The Makro-Switar 50mm f1.8, made by Kern of Switzerland. Introduced in 1958, it served as the standard lens for Alpa cameras until 1969. This is one of the very few still-photography lenses produced by Kern, a manufacturer best known for its cine lenses. It features an apochromatic design with 5 groups and 7 elements. Distance scale is in feet.
Its outstanding optical performance is truly all-round, excelling in everything from macro photography to everyday snapshots. Often regarded as a synonym for high performance, this legendary lens continues to enjoy enduring popularity thanks to its softly rendered, moist, and deeply attractive image character.
In the 1990s, an adapter allowing the Makro-Switar to be used with Leica rangefinder coupling was sold by Aoyama Retina House, sparking a major movement at the time. Even today, its superb rendering has expanded its field of use beyond Alpa and Leica cameras to mirrorless systems as well. Every time our staff conducts real-world shooting tests, this remarkable lens never fails to make us pause in admiration.

This is a piece previously sold by our shop and has now returned to us. It has been carefully used by the customer and the lens barrel remains just as clean as when it was last sold. Aside from extremely minor rub marks on the mount from attachment and removal, both the black paint and silver paint are well preserved throughout. It is in a condition well suited for a collection.
Fully overhauled in 2025. Thanks to meticulous servicing, the aperture and helicoid still operate with a smooth, damped feel. Focusing remains silky and effortless all the way to the closest focusing distance.
There is slight coating wear on the rear element and very fine bubble-like separation at the cemented surface of the rear lens group, but neither is expected to have any noticeable effect on actual photography. No cleaning marks or fungus are present, and the glass is clear with no haze.
The original front cap and a copy rear cap are included.