Kern Switar 50mm f1.8. A standard lens for the Alpa Alnea. Made in Switzerland. The name Aarau, the city where Kern was based, is engraved on the name ring. A total of 1,526 examples were produced between 1951 and 1955.
A modified Gauss-type design with 7 elements in 5 groups. Apochromatic design. The minimum focusing distance is approximately 45cm from the front of the lens.
Although it shares the same optical configuration as the later Macro-Switar, this earlier version uses radioactive glass, giving it a somewhat different rendering. The presence of radiation has been confirmed by a simple measurement with a radiation meter.
The barrel has an excellent rhythmic two-tone design in white and black. Compared with the later Auto-Switar and Macro-Switar, it is also remarkably light and compact, weighing just 144g on our scale.
For those who wish to use it on a Leica or other camera via an adapter, this light weight is a significant advantage. When an Auto-Switar or Macro-Switar is mounted on a Leica, the shutter release mechanism effectively becomes redundant, whereas this version, without the release mechanism, offers a much cleaner and more streamlined appearance.
The glass is also in very good condition. A Retina House adapter with excellent rangefinder coupling is included. When used on a Leica, the rangefinder couples accurately from 1m to infinity.
Previously sold by our store, this lens has now returned to us after being carefully used by its owner.
It remains in the same excellent condition as when we last sold it, especially for an Aarau Switar. There is some minor paint loss around the front edge of the barrel and a few light marks on the aluminum surfaces, but overall it shows relatively little use and presents beautifully.
All controls operate smoothly. The glass has some minor cleaning marks and a slight stain around the edge of an internal element, but these should have virtually no effect on actual photography. There is no haze, and the glass remains clear and bright.
It comes as a very complete set, including the original Type A hood and front cap, original UV filter, the now-rare Retina House ALPA to Leica screw mount adapter, and a Voigtländer LM adapter. Everything you need is here 😃
Using the mount adapters, we put the lens through a deliberately demanding shooting test. Rangefinder coupling was spot-on throughout the focusing range, making it a real pleasure to shoot with. The test results were also excellent. Its soft and beautiful rendering is exactly what you would expect from a Switar.
A condition like this is not easy to find!
