Comparison
KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 vs Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7
The KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 is a 50mm f/2.8 M42 lens made 1970s-1990s, valued at $25 to $100 used. The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 is a 50mm f/1.7 Konica AR lens made 1965-1980s, valued at $40 to $150 used.
Specifications side by side
| Specification | KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 | Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Native mount | M42 | Konica AR |
| Production years | 1970s-1990s | 1965-1980s |
| Optical design | 4 elements / 3 groups, Tessar | 6 elements / 5 groups, Double Gauss |
| Typical used value | $50 | $75 |
| Value range | $25 to $100 | $40 to $150 |
| Adapts to | Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount | Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount |
What actually differs
- The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 is 1.4 stops faster: f/1.7 against f/2.8.
- The KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 is cheaper. Typical used value is $50 against $75, a gap of $25 (roughly 1.5x). Ranges: $25 to $100 versus $40 to $150.
- Both are 50mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
- The Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 is the older design; production began around 1965 against 1970 for the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 (1965-1980s versus 1970s-1990s).
- They use different mounts, M42 and Konica AR, so each needs its own adapter. Both reach infinity on mirrorless bodies with a plain mechanical adapter.
- Construction differs: 4 elements in 3 groups for the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8, 6 elements in 5 groups for the Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7.
Which one to buy
Choose the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 for the $25 lower typical price. Choose the Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 for the 1.4 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.