KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 vs Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4

What actually differs

• The Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 is 2 stops faster: f/1.4 against f/2.8.
• The KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 is cheaper. Typical used value is $50 against $90, a gap of $40 (roughly 1.8x). Ranges: $25 to $100 versus $45 to $170.
• Both are 50mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
• The KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 is the older design; production began around 1970 against 1977 for the Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 (1970s-1990s versus 1977-1984).
• They use different mounts, M42 and Minolta SR (MD), 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, 7 elements in 5 groups for the Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4.

Which one to buy

Choose the KMZ Industar-61 L/Z 50mm f/2.8 for the $40 lower typical price. Choose the Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4 for the 2 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.