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Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar Lens

The Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 is a 12.5mm f/1.3 cinema lens designed for C-Mount mount cameras. Used copies start from $140.76 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar Lens

Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar Lens

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Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f1.3 Macro-Switar for H8 RX C-mount

Condition: Good

Product Highlights

  • Fast f/1.3 aperture
  • Macro photography capabilities
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Vintage optical rendering

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Used Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Listings on GearFocus

Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f1.3 Macro-Switar for H8 RX C-mount
Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f1.3 Macro-Switar for H8 RX C-mount

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$140.76

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Lens Overview — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

The Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar is a prime wide-angle lens built around the C-Mount standard and designed for the Cinema/Video camera system, covering a 2/3-inch image circle. With a maximum aperture of f/1.3, this lens is capable of gathering a substantial amount of light, making it well-suited for low-light shooting scenarios and creative depth-of-field work. The 12.5mm focal length places it firmly in the wide-angle category, offering a broader perspective that is useful for environmental shots, close-quarters documentary work, or specialty macro applications as indicated by its Macro type classification.

Focus is entirely manual, which is a characteristic appreciated by cinematographers and video operators who prefer precise, repeatable focus control during a shot. There is no image stabilization, which is typical for a lens of this vintage and cinema-oriented design philosophy. The C-Mount interface is a well-established standard in the cinema and video world, offering compatibility with a range of cameras that accept this mount.

As a prime lens, the 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar delivers a fixed focal length with no zoom mechanism, keeping the optical path straightforward and the physical form factor compact and predictable on set.

Key Features — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

12.5mm Wide-Angle Prime: Fixed focal length delivers a broad field of view suited to environmental shooting, documentary work, and close-quarters cinematography.

f/1.3 Maximum Aperture: Very fast aperture gathers substantial light for shooting in low-light conditions and enables shallow depth-of-field effects.

Macro Capability: Close-focus macro design allows the lens to render fine subject detail at short working distances.

C-Mount Standard: Fits cameras with a C-Mount interface, a widely established cinema and video mount compatible with a broad range of equipment.

2/3-Inch Image Circle: Designed to cover a 2/3-inch sensor or gate, matching the format common to many cinema and broadcast video cameras.

Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus ring gives cinematographers precise, repeatable control over focus pulls with no autofocus interference.

Lens Specifications — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesMacro, Creative Effects, Product
Lens TypeCine
FormatSuper 16
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length12.5mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.3
Camera SystemCinema / Video
Lens MountC-Mount
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual
Image StabilizationNone

Description — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

The Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar is a prime lens built for the Cinema/Video camera system, operating on the C-Mount standard with a 2/3-inch image format. Its fixed 12.5mm focal length puts it in the wide-angle category, providing a broad perspective well-suited to a variety of cinema and video scenarios. The f/1.3 maximum aperture stands out as a key attribute, allowing the lens to work in demanding lighting conditions while also enabling creative control over depth of field.

Focus is handled entirely through manual operation — there is no autofocus — giving operators full, tactile control over focus pulls and critical focus placement. The lens carries a Macro type classification, pointing to its capability for close-focus work beyond what a standard prime might offer. With no image stabilization, this lens is best paired with a stable support system.

The C-Mount interface is a time-tested standard in the cinema world, and the 2/3-inch coverage area is an important compatibility consideration when pairing this lens with a camera body.

Pros — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

  • ✓Wide maximum aperture of f/1.3 allows for significant light-gathering capability
  • ✓Prime lens design at a fixed 12.5mm focal length ensures a straightforward optical path
  • ✓Wide-angle focal length classification provides a broad field of view for Cinema/Video use

Cons — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

  • ✗No image stabilization, requiring stable rigging or support for smooth footage
  • ✗C-Mount and 2/3-inch format limits compatibility to cameras designed for this specific mount and sensor size
  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus option for run-and-gun or fast-moving subjects

Videos — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

Paillard Bolex L8 Yvar 12.5mm / Kodak 100D — nobuhiro saiki

Resources & Downloads — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3

What camera mount does the Kern-Paillard 12.5mm f/1.3 Macro-Switar use?+
This lens uses a C-Mount, as specified in the mount data. It is designed to cover a 2/3-inch image format, so camera compatibility should be confirmed against both the mount type and sensor size.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No. The Macro-Switar 12.5mm f/1.3 is a manual focus lens only. There is no autofocus mechanism, which is consistent with its Cinema/Video camera system designation and vintage prime design.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is f/1.3, which is on the faster end for a wide-angle prime of this format. This enables use in lower-light conditions and provides flexibility for shallow depth-of-field work.
Is this lens a zoom or a prime?+
This is a prime lens with a fixed focal length of 12.5mm. There is no zoom capability — the focal length is fixed at 12.5mm as confirmed by the matching minimum and maximum focal length values in the specifications.
Does the lens have image stabilization?+
No. The specifications explicitly list image stabilization as None. Users should plan accordingly with appropriate camera support and stabilization rigs when shooting video.
What type of shooting is this lens classified for?+
The lens is classified under the Cinema/Video camera system and carries a Macro type designation, indicating it is suited for close-focus and specialty cinema or video applications within a wide-angle perspective.