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Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR C-Mount Lens

The Kern H16 AR is a 16mm f/1.8 lens designed for C-Mount mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR C-Mount Lens

Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR C-Mount Lens

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Lens Overview — Kern H16 AR

The Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR is a vintage prime lens built around the C-Mount standard, designed for 2/3-inch format cinema and video camera systems. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, this wide-angle prime offers solid light-gathering capability that makes it an appealing option for shooters working in lower-light environments or those seeking a shallower depth of field from a compact package. As a manual focus lens, it puts full optical control in the hands of the operator, which suits the deliberate, tactile shooting style many cinematographers and photographers prefer when working with vintage glass.

The lens weighs just 200g, making it exceptionally lightweight and easy to handle on a variety of rigs or handheld setups. Being a C-Mount lens covering a 2/3-inch image circle, it is well-suited to cameras with compatible mounts and appropriately sized sensors. The Switar H16 AR carries a strong reputation among vintage lens enthusiasts and collectors, and its cinema and video pedigree makes it a compelling choice for filmmakers and content creators interested in the rendering characteristics of classic optics.

No image stabilization is present, which is standard for a lens of this vintage and type.

Key Features — Kern H16 AR

16mm T1.9 Cinema Prime: A wide-angle focal length with a fast maximum aperture rated at T1.9, useful for handheld shooting and low-light cinema work.

C-Mount Standard: Compatible with a wide range of cinema, video, and mirrorless cameras via C-Mount adapters.

16mm Film Image Circle: Designed to cover the 16mm film gate, making it a natural fit for 16mm film cameras and equivalent small-format digital sensors.

Manual Focus Design: Fully manual focus operation suits deliberate, tactile cinematography workflows and repeatable focus pulls.

Lightweight at 200g: Exceptionally compact and light, keeping rigs balanced whether shooting handheld or on a small shoulder setup.

Vintage Switar Optics: The Switar H16 AR is a well-regarded lens among collectors and filmmakers for its distinctive rendering characteristics and optical character.

Lens Specifications — Kern H16 AR

Kern H16 AR full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesPortrait, Macro, Creative Effects
Lens TypePrime
FormatC-Mount / 2/3 inch
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length16mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.8
Camera SystemCinema / Video
Lens MountC-Mount
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNone
Weight200g

Description — Kern H16 AR

The Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR is a prime wide-angle lens built for C-Mount camera systems covering a 2/3-inch image format. Operating within the cinema and video camera system category, it features a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a fixed 16mm focal length, making it a dedicated wide-angle option. Focus is entirely manual, placing full control with the operator — a characteristic appreciated by cinematographers who prefer working with vintage glass.

At just 200g, the lens is impressively light, adding minimal bulk to any camera setup. There is no image stabilization, which is consistent with its vintage design. The lens carries a C-Mount, the standard noted in specifications, and is intended for cameras and sensor formats compatible with that mount and image circle size.

Pros — Kern H16 AR

  • ✓Wide maximum aperture of f/1.8 offers strong light-gathering performance for a vintage prime
  • ✓Compact and lightweight at just 200g, making it easy to use on a range of camera setups
  • ✓16mm wide-angle focal length is well-suited to cinema and video applications

Cons — Kern H16 AR

  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support for fast-moving or documentary-style shooting
  • ✗C-Mount / 2/3-inch format limits compatibility to cameras with appropriately sized sensors and mounts
  • ✗No image stabilization, which may require additional stabilization support in handheld use

Resources & Downloads — Kern H16 AR

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Kern H16 AR

What mount does the Kern 16mm f/1.8 Switar H16 AR use?+
This lens uses a C-Mount, which is a standard found on many cinema and video cameras. It is designed to cover a 2/3-inch image format.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No, the Kern Switar H16 AR is a manual focus only lens. Shooters will need to adjust focus by hand, which is typical for vintage cinema lenses of this type.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 200g, making it a very lightweight option that is easy to balance on compact camera rigs or handheld setups.
Does the lens have image stabilization?+
No, this lens has no image stabilization. For handheld shooting, external stabilization solutions may be worth considering.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is f/1.8, which allows for a reasonable amount of light to reach the sensor and offers some flexibility when shooting in lower-light conditions.

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