The story of Kern began in 1819, when Jakob Kern opened a workshop in Aarau, Switzerland, for the production of mathematical, levelling and field measuring instruments. In 1885, the firm was named Kern & Company. Under the direction of Heinrich Kern, the grandson of Jakob Kern, the company continued to manufacture an increasing range of surveying instruments.

The optical and lens departments of Kern & Co. AG opened in 1914. The heavy demand for fine optics brought on by the first World War led to the construction of new factory buildings. From these shops came the Kern anastigmat lens with a speed of f/6.3 and f/4.5.

Kern in the 1940's

The Kern plant was enlarged again in 1943 to fill orders from all over the world. In collaboration with the Paillard-Bolex plant, Kern-Paillard began the manufacture of motion picture lenses. In 1944, Kern lenses were the first motion picture lenses manufactured with an anti-reflective coating, as well as the first to include an automatic depth of field scale. The iris diaphragm featured accurate click stops, while the diaphragm blades provided a wider spacing at small apertures.

Research and improvements in optical engineering required from the demands of World War II resulted in the line of Kern Switar and Yvar lenses. The association with Paillard allowed a line of quality lenses to be supplied for Bolex cameras following the war. Listed below are the Kern-Paillard lenses that were introduced during the 1940s.

D Mount Lenses for 8mm Cameras

 Switar 12.5 f/1.5

A standard focal length lens in normal D-mount with an engraved depth of field scale.

Yvar 12.5mm f/2.8 (DESIGNED FOR L-8)
This lens was intended for use on L-8 cameras. It was available in both fixed focus and focus mount versions; the fixed focus lens is pictured here. Although the thread diameter is identical to a normal D-mount lens (15.8mm or 5/8"), the optical distance from film plane to lens seat is 7.8mm (0.3075").

Yvar 25mm f/2.5
A moderate telephoto lens. It had no DOF scale; focus range was 1 1/2 feet to infinity.

Yvar 36mm f/2.8
A telephoto lens with no depth of field scale; focus range from 2' to infinity.

C Mount Lenses for 16mm Cameras

Yvar 15mm f/2.8
A moderately wide angle lens.

Switar 25mm f/1.4
A fast standard focal length lens. Production of this lens seems to have continued into the 1950s, even with the introduction of the Visifocus lenses. The Switar 25mm F/1.4 had a standard depth of field scale.

Pizar 25mm f/1.5
Introduced in the late '40s as a less expensive standard focal length lens, compared to the Switar 25mm f/1.4. This lens had no depth of field scale.

Yvar 75mm f/2.5
A telephoto lens with micrometer click-stops. It does not appear to have been manufactured after the introduction of Visifocus lenses in 1950; specifically, the YVORA 75mm f/2.8.

Kern in the 1950's

In 1950, Kern-Paillard introduced a new line of lenses with a unique depth of field scale, termed "Visifocus". The Visifocus system consisted of a curved scale, indicated by a series of orange colored dots that appeared or disappeared when the diaphragm scale was stopped up or down. The dots provided a visual reference of the depth of field for different focus settings at each f-stop.

Further innovations were made in 1956 with the introduction of the Bolex H-16 Reflex camera. The camera used a beam-splitting prism system to provide reflex viewing by diverting approximately 25% of the light entering the lens into the viewfinder. Although the H-16 Reflex used a standard C mount, the reflex prism (located behind the lens and in front of the film plane) affected the optical correction of lenses of 50mm focal lengths and shorter. Kern-Paillard introduced a line of "RX" mount lenses which were optically corrected for the Reflex camera.

During the 1950s, Paillard adopted product codes for accessories and lenses. These were used to identify items for sales, repair and service purposes and seems to have been done away with by the early 60s. For the sake of historical reference, I've listed them below. Many of the same lenses were available in both standard (listed as "St." for all 16mm C mount cameras) and RX mount (For H-16 reflex cameras) and used different product codes. Apart from the letters "RX" appearing on some, they were otherwise identical in appearance.

D Mount Lenses for 8mm Cameras

Switar 5.5mm f/1.8 (SWINQ)
Wide angle lens, introduced in 1954.

Pizar 5.5mm f/2 (also f/1.9) (PIZUI)
Wide angle lens with fixed focus and a maximum aperture of f/2; introduced in 1957. A later version was available in 1959; it had a maximum aperture of f/1.9. Both were fixed focus lenses and were identical in appearance.

Switar 12.5mm f/1.9 (SWIHO)
Standard focal length lens with an engraved depth of field scale.

Yvar 12.5mm f/2.5 (FICIN)
A standard focal length lens; fixed focus.

Yvar 12.5mm f/2.5 (BECIN)
Standard focal length lens with a focusing ring and engraved depth of field scale.

Yvar Filtin 12.5mm f/2.8 (FILTI)
This lens was introduced in 1954 and contained four (4) built in filters; yellow, red, "daylight" and "skylight". Filters could be selected by turning a knurled index ring. Four "no filter" positions were marked between each filter position. The Filtin could focus from 1 1/2 feet to infinity and close down to f/22.

Switar 13mm f/0.9 Visifocus
A very fast lens of standard focal length, introduced in 1959.

Yvar 13mm f/1.8 Visifocus
This standard focal length lens, introduced in 1959, used the Visifocus depth of field scale.

Yvar 13mm f/1.9 Visifocus (HUVAR)
A standard focal length lens, with focusing ring and Visifocus depth of field scale.

Yvar 13mm f/1.9 Fix-Focus
A fixed focus, standard focal length lens.

Yvar 25mm f/2.5 Visifocus (HUARO)
Standard focal length lens; Visifocus scale.

Switar 36mm f/1.8 Visifocus
A fast telephoto lens, introduced in 1959. It came with a detachable lens hood.

Yvar 36mm f/2.8 Visifocus (YVITA)
Telephoto lens with a Visifocus DOF scale.

C and RX Mount Lenses for H-16 Cameras

Switar 10mm f/1.6 (st. SWEDI, RX DAADI)
These wide angle lenses were introduced in 1956. Two versions were available; in standard C mount for non-reflex cameras (SWEDI) and in RX mount for the H-16 Reflex (DAADI).

Switar 16mm f/1.8 (st. SWESE, RX DAESE)
This Visifocus lens was introduced in 1954, with a standard C mount (SWESE); a RX mount version (DAESE) was available in 1956.

Yvar 16mm f/2.8 (st. YVERI)
A moderately wide angle lens with Visifocus scale; normal C Mount.

Switar 25mm f/1.4 (st. SWITA, RX DAITA)
This standard focal length lens was first manufactured in the 1940s, but production continued until the late '50s, approximately. It used a standard "compass-style" depth of field scale. A RX mount version was available in 1956, for H-16 reflex cameras.

Switar 25mm f/1.5 Visifocus
A standard focal length lens with a Visifocus depth of field scale; for non reflex 16mm cameras with a standard c-mount.

Pizar 25mm f/1.5 RX
Standard focal length lens with Visifocus DOF scale, introduced in 1957; in "RX mount" for H-16 reflex cameras.

Yvar 25mm f/1.8 Visifocus
This lens appears to have been introduced in 1958 or 1959. It was only available in standard C mount, and priced the lowest among standard focal length lenses.

Pizar 26mm f/1.9 Visifocus (HAPIZ)
Standard focal length lens, for use with non-reflex 16mm cameras; normal c-mount, with a visifocus depth of field scale

Switar 50mm f/1.4 (St. SWIFI, RX DAIFI)
A telephoto lens that was available in both standard c-mount and "RX" mount; the standard version (SWIFI) was introduced in 1954, while the RX mount version (DAIFI) was introduced in 1956. It came with a detachable lens shade.

Pizar 50mm f/1.8 Visifocus (St. and RX versions)
Introduced in the late 1959, this telephoto lens was available in both C mount and RX mount; both with a Visifocus DOF scale.

Switar 75mm f/1.9 (DAORA)
Standard C mount; fast telephoto lens. It came with a detachable lens shade.

Yvar 75mm f/2.8 (YVORA)
Telephoto lens with Visifocus DOF scale, introduced in 1950; a detachable lens shade and leather case was included. This lens could be mounted on the turret with any compliment of shorter focal length lenses without obstructing the field of view.

Yvar 100mm f/3.3 (YVENT)
Telephoto lens with 4x magnification compared to a standard 25mm focal length lens; visifocus depth of field scale. Introduced in 1950. It came with a detachable lens shade and leather case. With its length of 6 1/2", it was recommended only as an accessory lens as it would obstruct the field of view of shorter focal length lenses.

Yvar 150mm f/4 (YVONG)
Extreme telephoto lens, approximately 7 1/2 inches in length with a weight of 7.5 ounces. It was introduced in 1950 and came complete with a leather carrying case and shoulder strap. A detachable lens shade was also included. Because of its over-all length, it was recommended only as an accessory lens and not intended to be mounted with lenses of shorter focal lengths.

Kern in the 1960's

In the 1960s, Kern-Paillard began manufacturing a line of zoom lenses for Bolex cameras. Innovations in lens design produced the first automatic exposure zoom lens for 16mm motion picture cameras; the Vario Switar 36EE.

With the introduction of the Bolex H-8 REX camera, a new line of lenses was designed. The H-8 REX adopted a turret that used the same 1" diameter thread of C mount lenses, but with an optical distance between lens seat and film plane of 15.305mm. This outfit of three prime lenses is listed below. Two zoom lenses were also designed specifically for the H-8 REX: the Vario Switar 36 and 36EE.

Another significant development was the introduction of macro lenses for H-8 and H-16 reflex cameras. These lenses featured a built-in macro extension with pre-set diaphragms. Listed below are the lenses manufactured by Kern-Paillard during the 1960s.

Lenses for H-8 Reflex Cameras

Switar 5.5mm f/1.6 H8 rx
Wide angle lens, specifically designed for the H-8 REX camera. It featured a pre-set diaphragm, Visifocus depth of field scale and minimum focusing distance of 4 1/2 inches. Series V filters could be attached.

Macro Switar 12.5 f/1.3 H8 rx
Standard focal length lens for the H-8 REX; pre-set diaphragm with Visifocus DOF scale and built in macro extension. Focus from 3" to infinity. Uses Series V filters; detachable lens hood.

Macro Switar 36mm f/1.4 H8 rx
Telephoto lens for the H-8 REX; pre-set diaphragm with Visifocus DOF scale and built in macro extension. Focus from 10 1/2" to infinity. Uses Series V filters; detachable lens hood.

Vario Switar 36 f/1.9 (8mm-36mm)
Introduced in 1962 and designed by Kern for the H-8 reflex. It incorporated an automatic pre-set diaphragm feature which opened the diaphragm for viewing and focusing and closed it automatically prior to exposure. The pre-set aperture control and camera release mechanism were combined with a zoom lever; this could be couple to the Declic H grip with a special accessory cable (not shown). It could accept Series VI filters and weighed 13.5 ounces.

Vario Switar 36EE (8mm-36mm f/1.9)
The Vario Switar 36EE ("Electric Eye") was introduced in 1964. It featured a fully automatic diaphragm control with a cadmium sulphide photo resistor which was sensitive to film ratings from 10-400 ASA. The exposure meter was powered by one (1) PX-13 1.35v mercury cell battery. The lens could be fitted with Series VI filters and weighed 18 ounces.

C and RX Mount Lenses for H-16 Cameras

Switar 10mm f/1.6 RX
Wide angle lens with pre-set diaphragm, vVisifocus depth of field scale and minimum focus distance of 1". Introduced in 1968 for use with H-16 reflex cameras.

Macro Switar 26mm f/1.1 RX
Standard focal length lens with built in macro extension, pre set diaphragm, Visifocus DOF scale and minimum focus distance of 7 1/2". Introduced in 1968 for use with H-16 reflex cameras.

Macro Switar 50mm f/1.4 Rx
Telephoto lens for H-16 reflex cameras, introduced in 1964. Pre set diaphragm, Visifocus DOF scale, built in macro extension and minimum focus distance of 15".

Macro-Switar 75mm f/1.9
C mount Telephoto lens, introduced in 1970. Pre set diaphragm, Visifocus DOF scale, built in macro extension and minimum focus distance of 5 feet.

Macro Yvar 100mm f/2.8
Introduced in 1963; C mount telephoto lens with Visifocus depth of field scale and built in macro extension. Minimum focus distance of 4 feet. Accepts Series VI drop in filters.

Macro Yvar 150mm f/3.3
Introduced in 1962; C mount, extreme telephoto lens with Visifocus DOF scale and built in macro extension. Minimum focus distance of 6 feet; minimum aperture of f/32. Accepts Series VI drop in filters.

Macro Yvar 150mm f/3.3
The Macro Yvar 150mm was redesigned in 1970 to include a pre-set diaphragm. It also featured Visifocus DOF scale and built in macro extension. Minimum focus distance: 6 feet. Minimum diaphragm setting: f/32. Accepts Series VI drop in filters.

Vario Switar 86
Introduced in 1961; designed specifically for H-16 reflex cameras. It incorporated an automatic pre-set diaphragm feature which opened the diaphragm for viewing and focusing and closed it automatically prior to exposure. The pre-set aperture control and camera release mechanism were combined with a zoom lever; this could be couple to the Declic H grip with a special accessory cable (not shown). Zoom range from 18-86mm; maximum aperture f/2.5, minimum aperture f/22. The lens could accept Series VIII filters and weighed 2 lbs and 4 oz.

Vario Switar 86EE (18mm-86mm f/2.5)
This lens was introduced in 1964, as the first "Electric Eye" 16mm zoom lens. It was designed specifically for H-16 reflex cameras and featured a fully automatic diaphragm control with a cadmium sulphide photo resistor which was sensitive to film ratings from 10-400 ASA. The exposure meter was powered by one (1) PX-13 1.35v mercury cell battery. Minimum aperture of f/16. Weight: 2 lbs, 4 oz. Accepts Series VIII filters.

Vario-Switar 86-OE (18mm-86mm f/2.5)
The 86-OE was introduced in 1968. It featured an automatic diaphragm, but unlike the 86EE, exposure measurements were taken through the lens. The built in meter was sensitive to film speeds from 10 to 200 ASA and powered by one (1) PX-13 1.35v mercury cell battery. Minimum aperture: f/16. Weight: approximately 2 1/2 lbs. Accepts Series VIII filters.

Vario Switar 100 POE (f/1.9 16-100mm)
Introduced in 1970, the Kern Vario Switar 100 POE featured through the lens exposure and power zoom control. The exposure meter was powered by one (1) PX1 1.35v mercury cell battery; power for the zoom motor was supplied by two (2) RM1 1.35V mercury batteries batteries. It accepts series IX filters and weighs approximately 3 lbs.

Although the 100 POE is a nice lens, unfortunately there is no exact equivalent for a PX1 battery that will provide an accurate exposure reading; at least not without a voltage reducing adapter. The diaphragm can be adjusted manually, however; a more accurate exposure reading is best obtained with a hand held exposure meter.

The story of Kern began in 1819, when Jakob Kern opened a workshop in Aarau, Switzerland, for the production of mathematical, levelling and field measuring instruments. In 1885, the firm was named Kern & Company. Under the direction of Heinrich Kern, the grandson of Jakob Kern, the company continued to manufacture an increasing range of surveying instruments.

The optical and lens departments of Kern & Co. AG opened in 1914. The heavy demand for fine optics brought on by the first World War led to the construction of new factory buildings. From these shops came the Kern anastigmat lens with a speed of f/6.3 and f/4.5.

Kern in the 1940's

The Kern plant was enlarged again in 1943 to fill orders from all over the world. In collaboration with the Paillard-Bolex plant, Kern-Paillard began the manufacture of motion picture lenses. In 1944, Kern lenses were the first motion picture lenses manufactured with an anti-reflective coating, as well as the first to include an automatic depth of field scale. The iris diaphragm featured accurate click stops, while the diaphragm blades provided a wider spacing at small apertures.

Research and improvements in optical engineering required from the demands of World War II resulted in the line of Kern Switar and Yvar lenses. The association with Paillard allowed a line of quality lenses to be supplied for Bolex cameras following the war. Listed below are the Kern-Paillard lenses that were introduced during the 1940s.

D Mount Lenses for 8mm Cameras

Switar 12.5 f/1.5
A standard focal length lens in normal D-mount with an engraved depth of field scale.

Yvar 12.5mm f/2.8 (DESIGNED FOR L-8)
This lens was intended for use on L-8 cameras. It was available in both fixed focus and focus mount versions; the fixed focus lens is pictured here. Although the thread diameter is identical to a normal D-mount lens (15.8mm or 5/8"), the optical distance from film plane to lens seat is 7.8mm (0.3075").

Yvar 25mm f/2.5
A moderate telephoto lens. It had no DOF scale; focus range was 1 1/2 feet to infinity.

Yvar 36mm f/2.8
A telephoto lens with no depth of field scale; focus range from 2' to infinity.

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