Schneider / ALPA Apo-Helvetar 5.6/43 mm, LB, custom made for ALPA by Schneider-Kreuznach.

The Helvetar 43 lens was one of the last and most modern optics made by Schneider-Kreuznach. The symmetrical construction shone with an almost non-existent distortion of 0.5 % despite your enormous image circle of 110 mm.

Like all symmetrical lens constructions, the Helvetar 43 was extremely compact and light (approx. 400 g). However, the construction of the CCD and CMOS sensors required moderate incidence angles, which often limited the usability of this type of construction and made heavy lens cast corrections necessary. Modern backlit sensors are now helping these optics to a tentative second spring.

Before ALPA Capaul & Weber could take over the historic brand name SWITAR, HELVETAR served as a substitute brand. This name was used exclusively for lenses from Schneider Kreuznach (SK). In contrast to SK's sister lenses, Helvetar lenses always had a unified filter diameter of 67 mm.

The series began with the legendary Helvetar 48 and included the Helvetar 43, 48, 75, and 120 mm.  Each of these lenses - like all ALPA lenses - was individually tested by hand and technically and photographically.