Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2

What actually differs

• The Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 is 1.5 stops faster: f/1.2 against f/2.
• The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 is cheaper. Typical used value is $230 against $480, a gap of $250 (roughly 2.1x). Ranges: $120 to $550 versus $300 to $850.
• Both are 58mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
• The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 is the older design; production began around 1936 against 1966 for the Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 (1936-1960 versus 1966-1973).
• They use different mounts, M42 and Minolta SR (MC), so each needs its own adapter. Both reach infinity on mirrorless bodies with a plain mechanical adapter.
• Construction differs: 6 elements in 4 groups for the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2, 7 elements in 5 groups for the Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2.

Which one to buy

Choose the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 for the $250 lower typical price. Choose the Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 for the 1.5 stops of extra speed. Rendering differs too: read the character notes below, because speed and price are the only advantages the catalog data can settle.

Minimum focus distance, weight, and measured sharpness are not in the catalog, so this comparison does not claim anything about them.