Kern Paillard Switar 16mm f/1.8 DV AR

The Kern Paillard Switar 16mm f/1.8 is the wide of our three-lens Kern set for the Bolex H16 Reflex, a C-mount prime designed and produced in Switzerland by Kern of Aarau before computer-aided lens design existed. It's fast (f/1.8 is unusual for a 16mm of this era), sharp at center, and produces the kind of mechanical focus feel that holds up against modern cine glass costing ten times more. The DV AR designation refers to the deep-violet anti-reflective multi-coating that defined late-Kern Switars, slightly warmer color signature than the earlier single-coated lenses, with better flare control. Pairs with the Kern Switar 25mm f/1.4 and Kern Yvar 75mm f/2.8 to form the matched three-prime kit we rent with the Bolex. C-mount, fully manual, no electronics. We rent the set together, the Bolex isn't useful without lenses, and the Kerns are what most rental houses can't supply.