50mm f/1.4 or cheaper f/1.8?

[mshockley]

Hello Everyone! I am about to buy another lens and am really a bit confused. Most of my photography is of portrait in nature, and I especially love a tight close-up of the face. With that said I would like a lens that really blurs the background and is nice and fast, and is good under available light situations.

What would you all suggest, the 50mm 1.8 or just go straight for the 1.4? I'm also reading that a macro lens can be great for portrait work? Any suggestions appreciated! I would hate to be totally bummed with my purchase!

[stella7d]

The 50mm lens is highly regarded and is a must have for every photogs bag! You can take great portraits with that lens and also capture soft creamy bokeh. Everything you have listed on your list of wants....this lens will do! I think you just need to be confident with your purchase and embrace the wonders of a 50mm lens!!

[tinusvdb]

I had to make the same decision about a month ago and It seems like the overall vote goes for the f1.4. I did not want to spend the bucks, so I got the f1.8.

[inkista]

Are we talking Nikon or Canon? And if w'ere talking Nikon, which body?

On the Canon side of the fence it's basically, 2/3 stop, better build quality and manual focus features and USM for the f/1.4, but similar image quality between the two lenses.

On the Nikon side of the fence, it's basically 2/3 stop, G v. D, similar build and image quality, but the 50/1.8 is not AF-S, so will not autofocus on the entry-level (below the D90) bodies.

Also, a macro lens can double as a portrait lens, and is certainly sharp enough to do so (macros are typically the sharpest lenses in any lineup), but it will be limited to f/2.8, DoF-wise, and may actually be a little too sharp for portraits, depending on your personal style and willingness to post-process. Personally, I don't like how my EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro clearly picks out every pore, wrinkle, and nosehair in razor sharp detail.

[RichardTaylor]

Looking at OP's previous posts its Canon.

[c010depunkk]

I'd go with the 1,8 50mm. A quarter the price, but the image quality is almost identical. And a Nifty Fifty MKii is just a must-have!

[mshockley]

thanks so much everyone!

Michelle

[tinusvdb]

How do you find your 50mm f/1.4 ?

[Glenn72]

I was in the same situation a few months ago and went with the 50 1.8, I have no regrets for the price.

[mbansal]

I am new to photography and interested in purchaing a prime lense. I found this post and its awesome to get all the information already here. But I still have a question:

Ques: I have a D60-Nikon body and wanting to buy a prime lense. As you are all aware that D60 does not have inbuilt Auto-Focus. I want to purchase a lense with in-built auto focus and not rely on camera on A-F.

So what do I look for in specs that makes it clear if lense is already supported with AF capability. If possible can someone list the lenses?

thanks a ton!