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Comparison

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) vs KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2

The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) is a 85mm f/1.4 Contax/Yashica lens made 1975-2005, valued at $500 to $1,400 used. The KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 is a 85mm f/2 M42 lens made 1950s-1980s, valued at $90 to $320 used.

Specifications side by side

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) and KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 specifications compared
SpecificationCarl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y)KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2
Focal length85 mm85 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/2
Native mountContax/YashicaM42
Production years1975-20051950s-1980s
Optical design6 elements / 5 groups, Planar Double Gauss, T* coating7 elements / 3 groups, Sonnar
Typical used value$800$160
Value range$500 to $1,400$90 to $320
Adapts toSony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount, Fuji X, MFTSony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount

What actually differs

  • The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) is 1 stop faster: f/1.4 against f/2.
  • The KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 is cheaper. Typical used value is $160 against $800, a gap of $640 (roughly 5x). Ranges: $90 to $320 versus $500 to $1,400.
  • Both are 85mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
  • The KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 is the older design; production began around 1950 against 1975 for the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) (1950s-1980s versus 1975-2005).
  • They use different mounts, Contax/Yashica and M42, so each needs its own adapter. Both reach infinity on mirrorless bodies with a plain mechanical adapter.
  • Construction differs: 6 elements in 5 groups for the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y), 7 elements in 3 groups for the KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2.

Which one to buy

Choose the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) for the 1 stop of extra speed. Choose the KMZ Jupiter-9 85mm f/2 for the $640 lower typical price. 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.

Full reference pages

Mount references: Contax/Yashica and M42