I had this in another thread that was Canon related so I thought I'd start one....Any one want to chime in on the Nikon versions of these lenses? I'm looking for a 1.4 but is it that much better than the 1.8 version? Anyone? Bueller? I'm also shooting with a D300..so no full frame for me...yet.

If only for the better focusing. I'm sure current nikon shooters will chime iin with their thoughts.

I love...love...love my Nikon 50mm 1.4. Go for it!! You won't be disappointed!!

Yep totally worth every penny to upgrade =)

I totally agree. 1.4 is worth it. Favorite lens.
check out some shots if you like...most new eng. and wedding shots are with 50mm 1.4
blog

I have shot with all three 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8. The 1.4 is my fav by FAR!

The 1.8 is a great starter lens, but if you have the cash DEFINITELY get the 1.4. And the difference in cost is so negligible (for camera gear anyway), there's really no reason not to get it (unless you're just strapped for cash).

I like the bokeh on the 1.4 better too! I liked my 1.8, but love my 1.4.

The nikon manual focus 1.2?

Me too! Love my 1.4! It's my favorite lens. That extra stop is completely worth it.

Yep, this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3697..._f_1_2_AIS.html . My boss is a manual focus buff, but I wasn't too keen on it. Nice lens, just not for me.

Ok, that's what I was heading for anyway. The price difference is negligible if y'all say that it's that much better. The 1.8 is nice and all but if there can be only one..let it be the best...

Thanks y'all

I have the 1.8 and it is by far one of my favorite lenses. It is also the sharpest one I have. At $125, it's a steal.

I have both..

The 1.4 can be a bit soft past about 15ft.. wide open.. at 2.8 and above it's stupid sharp.

The 1.8 is a great performer through out the range... but just doesn't have the same bokeh as the 1.4.

The 1.4 is what I use for my portraits and such, and rarely need to switch out to the 1.8.

I recommend the 1.4
Attached is a shot from last friday @ 1.4

Greg

Wow!! I am surprised, 13 responses before mine and no one yet said that you should get the 1.4 because it's 2/3 stops faster than the 1.8. Especially shooting with the D300, the 2/3 additional stops of the 1.4 can be had by a simple ISO boost.

I think the benefits of the 1.4 over the 1.8 are these, but I am sure others can find more:

• Better focusing - lenses are by default wide open, so the more light they "see" the more it helps the focusing system of the camera
• Better build quality - 1.4 is mostly metal and 1.8 is mostly plastic
• Smaller depth of field for creative effect - this could also be a dissadvantage because with such razor thin DOF wide open it could be easy to miss focus altogether.
• Bokeh - I have only shot with the 1.4 or the 1.8, but never the same shot with both to compare, but already chimed in about that.
• Dissadvantage - 3X more expensive than the 1.8

Advantages of the 1.8 over the 1.4

• 1/3 the cost of the 1.4
• f1.8 is plenty fast for most use and @ 1.8 it's a full stop faster than the f2.8 zooms.

You will need to make a decision if spending 3X more for the 1.4 is worth the benefits you get from it. The biggest advantage I see in the 1.4 is the larger aperture as it relates to making it easier for the camera to focus.

Greg, that is a great shot.

I actually bought two of these because of the price! They are really EXCELLENT performers for the price, you can't beat it.

I did get the 1.4 and if for the build quality alone it was worth it!

BTW, these were all shot with my old 1.8. I just got the 1.4 after this shoot.

The 1.8 does feel a little "cheap"...i guess it's the plastic.