Please help me decide.....

[MKhead72]

I have been wanting to get a new lens for a while now and I finally got the O.K. from the boss !! I have really been looking at the 50mm 1.4 AF , and also a 50mm 1.8 AF. I have read reviews for both lenses and I have read that for the money the 1.8 is the better of the two for a couple reasons. Reviewers have said, #1 reason = less money.... I agree. #2 reason = they say that the 1.4 is harder to get a crisp, sharp image than with the 1.8...... Can't say if I agree or not, as I don't own either lens. And reason #3 = they also say 1.4 (on more open 1.4 - 2.0 ), around edges of image are somewhat cloudy, out of focus...... again, can't say if I agree or not. But strangely enough after reading all the reviews I have viewed, I am leaning towards the 1.4............ I really enjoy the low light shooting aspect, the quickness of the lens, and some of the images I have seen are Fantastic !! So any advice would be greatly appreciated !! Also if you have any images from either lens please feel free to post them to help me decide my fate !!! Thanks alot !!

 

[Steve's Girl]

I'm going to go with neither and recommend looking at the Nikon 35mm 1.8. If you have a crop body, the 35mm will be more of a normal lens in terms of focal length. The price is decent and it appears to have decent IQ. I would have gotten this lens when it came out if I didn't already have the Sigma 30mm.

 

[YesDear]

I would go with the 50 1.8 or the new 35 1.8. I had the 50 and recently sold it because I also have a 50 1.2. I now also have the 35 1.8. I believe either one would be a good choice.

 

[Amusement]

I have the 50 1.8 and I think it's pretty hard to beat for the price. It sat on my D80 about 90% of the time. It's drawback on the D80 was there were times where I felt like I had to climb out the window to get a shot in a smaller room.

I have never shot with the 1.4 so I can't compare. I think it comes down to weighing the added price to against the how badly you want the faster lens. I will most likely upgrade my 1.8 to the 1.4 some day, but I'm not in a huge rush. I have other lenses on my wish list I will get to first because the 1.8 has served me just fine and I really want a nice zoom for a full frame body since the only one I have for a walkabout lens is the kit lens that came with my D80.

 

[kaffinito]

I've had both and I have to say that I really really regret giving (yes giving) my 50mm 1.4 to my DSIL. The 1.8 is nice and all, and does take good photos, but I just liked the low light images I could get with the 1.4 a bit more. *sigh*

If I had to do it over again, I would probably take other pp's advice and go with the 35mm. It is a nice lens and does give good quality every time I've used it. I use it a lot more at night than I do my 50mm because of the wider range.

 

[MKhead72]

So, on the darker rides, the 35mm sounds like it would work. And am I correct that it would also be a good lens for the fireworks ? Also one more question...... what is a fair price range for a used (but in near mint condition) 35mm 1.4 ? Thanks again for all your help !!