Swiss-made Macro-Switar f1.9 by Kern, for Alpa. Feet scale. Total production was 6,303 units. Finished in black paint, its sharp and purposeful appearance matches modern mirrorless cameras very well.

The Macro-Switar was redesigned in 1968 from the original f1.8 version with a 5-group, 7-element construction to a 5-group, 8-element design, resulting in the f1.9 specification. Compared with the f1.8, the f1.9 offers a noticeably sharper image and higher contrast around wide open. That said, both the f1.9 and f1.8 remain outstanding lenses, and it is difficult to rank one above the other.

The Macro-Switar features apochromatic correction, delivering excellent color rendition and strong performance in close-up photography. The bokeh is also very pleasing. It has earned a strong reputation among digital camera users and remains a highly sought-after lens.

Minor paint loss is visible on the focusing ring, aperture ring, and the front edge of the lens barrel, but the black paint remains well preserved overall, resulting in a pleasing appearance.
A full overhaul was carried out by the previous owner in 2025. Thanks to the careful servicing, all operations, including the aperture and helicoid, are extremely smooth.
The glass is clear, with no cleaning marks or haze, allowing you to fully enjoy the lens’s original optical performance.
Genuine front and rear caps are included.