The invention relates to apparatus and a method for applying coatings to substrates such as, for example, a lens or electronic component. The apparatus includes a coating chamber in which there is provided one or more magnetrons which include, typically, an at least partially oxidized metal or metal alloy. A carrier is provided for the substrates to be moved and held in the coating chamber and the carrier is formed from a plurality of units on which the substrates are positioned and the units can be brought together to form the carrier.