Nikon 50mm 1.4

[My2Girls66]

I am interested in replacing my old 50mm 1.8 with this lens as my old lens sometimes is noisy and slow while focusing. I've been using it in the h.s. gym. B&H has it for $339- Abes has it for $299(and thats with a $10 increase over yesterday). Both are USA, brand new, Nikon warranty. Would anyone be leary of the price difference? Also-how noticable would the difference between 1.8 and 1.4 be? I know someone with both lenses but in Canon and claims quite a difference in light.
Thanks

 

[Code]

I would not recommend Abe's of Maine.. they aren't a scam, but you will likely recieve a rude/pushy/dishonest upsell call (I know from experience).

The difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is 2/3 of a stop... 67% faster shutter speed possible, however...

When used wide open, all of the 50mm primes (any brand) are fairly soft. I avoid using my Sony 50/1.4 at f/1.4 just like I would avoid using a 50/1.8 at f/1.8 unless faster shutter speeds are absolutely necessary. The big difference is at what f-stop it becomes sharp... my 50/1.4 is quite sharp by f/2.0, and I know Nikon's 50/1.4 is similar. However, the 50/1.8 doesn't achieve the same level of sharpness until f/2.8 or even beyond that.

I think the difference is worth it, but I'm a pathetic lens addict

 

[RCDisneyFan]

I have the 1.4 and I love it, but I bought it used from KEH.com. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I try to avoid paying full price for a lens - especially a Nikon, as they hold up for ages..

I don't know if I would upgrade if I already had the 1.8 in hand - I might look at getting the 85 1.8 (e.g. a different prime lens) instead of upgrading..

 

[My2Girls66]

Thanks for both of your replies. I'm still on the fence. What I'd really like is a fast lens for the high school gym without getting into a ton of $$. My 1.8 does pretty good- I was thinking 1.4 might just be a little better. I definititely would prefer something with some zoom- 24-70 2.8 comes to mind but I can't justify spending that kind of money on a lens when DD might not cheer next year. Back to thinking about it!
Thanks

 

[handicap18]

The difference in price is less than $100 between the 50mm f/1.4 and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8. Plus the 27-70mm could become your general purpose lens.

 

[My2Girls66]

I was just looking at that Sigma. Do you have any experience with it? Mostly looking for something to use in the gym. Definitely more in my price range!

 

[Groucho]

FWIW, I've bought three of my most expensive lenses from Abe's with little problem. I had to call on the first one to "confirm" it and only got a brief "you need filters?" question. On the second, they asked in email for me to call and confirm and I replied that I was told that the confirmation call was only needed because it was my first order. They shipped after that. The third one, I put in the notes field that I don't need filters, batteries, etc and they shipped right away. They are cheap and after your first order, they give you $10 coupons. The lens was as advertised (ie, brand new, not gray market, etc) and packed decently enough.

If the price is the same, I'd buy elsewhere, but if Abe's is cheapest, I'll hold my nose a little and go ahead and order from them.

 

[dmccarty]

I bought the 50mm/F1.4 to take low light photos and it works very well. If you are going to try to take photos in a gym the lens may or may not work as well as you might like. If the photos are of fast moving action you will still need quite a bit of light to get a fast shutter speed. If you open up the 50mm your depth of field is going to be shallow. AND the 50mm is going to require you to use your feet to fill up the frame.

Gym photos might require a D700.

Since Nikon has the new AF-S 50mm/f1.4 you might be able to get the "old" AF 50mm/F1.4 for less money used.

Later,
Dan

 

[AustinTed]

The Nikon 50mm f1.4 G is simply fantastic. Both f1.4 versions will do a bit better than the 1.8 wide open. However, the f1.8 is no slouch..it is one of Nikon's best. If you are wishing you could run a faster shutter speed (not quite half) and you find the 50mm focal lengh ok, then the 1.4 could be just the right thing.

For your DX camera why not also take a look at the new 35mm f1.8
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2183/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f%2F1.8G.html

I always found the 50mm f1.8 a bit long for general use on a DX camera. Right where I needed the low light, the zoom level was also a problem - too much zoom in rides for example.