Comparison
KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 vs Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2
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 Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 is a 50mm f/2 Leica R lens made 1964-2009, valued at $350 to $900 used.
Specifications side by side
| Specification | KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 | Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2 |
| Native mount | M42 | Leica R |
| Production years | 1970s-1990s | 1964-2009 |
| Optical design | 4 elements / 3 groups, Tessar | 6 elements / 4 groups, Double Gauss |
| Typical used value | $50 | $550 |
| Value range | $25 to $100 | $350 to $900 |
| Adapts to | Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount | Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount, Fuji X, MFT |
What actually differs
- The Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 is 1 stop faster: f/2 against f/2.8.
- The KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 is cheaper. Typical used value is $50 against $550, a gap of $500 (roughly 11x). Ranges: $25 to $100 versus $350 to $900.
- Both are 50mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
- The Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 is the older design; production began around 1964 against 1970 for the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 (1964-2009 versus 1970s-1990s).
- They use different mounts, M42 and Leica R, 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 4 groups for the Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2.
Which one to buy
Choose the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 for the $500 lower typical price. Choose the Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2 for the 1 stop 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.