New announcement of 50mm f1.8G vs 50mm f1.4G

[Cegonha]

Hey guys, which one would be more indicated to portrait of my child:

- 85 f1.4G
- 50 f1.8G (recently announced - Nikon Rumors)
- 50 f1.4G.

I know 1.4 would give me smaller DOF, but reviews of the 50f1.4 said that it is slower than the D version (how much this is a hassle for me, weekend photographer, I would ask) and checking MTF charts, I see that the 50 1.8G is sharper across the frame than the 50 1.4G.

the 85 f1.4 is a beast, but also expensive, and I'm not sure I'll have the room to use it indoors, since with my D7000 the equivalent focal distance would be around 127mm (1.53x).

So:
> Do you have the 50 1.4G?
> Does it really matters having these extra f-stop for family portraits, child sleeping, etc?
> Should I wait until the new 50 1.8G comes to the market, price point around US350, and very brand new technology / manufacturing?

Thanks!!!

[ZinhaEq]

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G has projected cost of 219$, which is very cheap for such a lens. But you were comparing the MTF charts of the lenses, that have different maximum aperture so you can't really compare them directly. But yes, I'd say f/1.8G will be a bit shraper than f/1.4G, but the bokeh is much better on f/1.4G because of the 9 aperture blades (f/1.8G has only 7). But maybe you should wait for the first reviews, which will surely compare these two lenses and then you should decide. I own f/1.4G, but don't use it much, especially because it produces very soft images at wider apertures (from f/1.4 to f/2). But I started with Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX, which is also superb lens and has better sharpness than 50mm f/1.4G. It may be a bit tough decision but any lens you will choose, it's going to be great.

[scootermcq]

Why are you looking at G lenses? The D will autofocus on your body and save you a ton of cash. I mean besides the fact that you have instant manual focus vs flipping the switch and nothing turns when autofocusing, it really is no better than D, and some say it is not as good optically. It also takes a funky 58mm filter which is more expensive than the 52mm filters for the D. Either the 50mm 1.4D or 1.8D lenses are great. Here are a couple arguments either way.

Nikon nikkor AF-D 50mm f/1.4 vs AF-D 50mm f/1.8

50mm lens shoot-out, f/1.8 or f/1.4?

[ZinhaEq]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Why are you looking at G lenses? The D will autofocus on your body and save you a ton of cash. I mean besides the fact that you have instant manual focus vs flipping the switch and nothing turns when autofocusing, it really is no better than D, and some say it is not as good optically. It also takes a funky 58mm filter which is more expensive than the 52mm filters for the D. Either the 50mm 1.4D or 1.8D lenses are great. Here are a couple arguments either way.

Nikon nikkor AF-D 50mm f/1.4 vs AF-D 50mm f/1.8

50mm lens shoot-out, f/1.8 or f/1.4?

Well, there are many reasons for choosing either D or G lens, but I would like to add that the time of goodbye for D lenses is slowly coming. I am not saying this means everyone should instantly buy G lens, but if you look closely 50mm D lenses are not THAT much cheaper than G. And I am sure Nikon has improved their optical designs since 2002, when 50mm f/1.8D was released. The new f/1.8G also has an aspherical element in it and it's going to be a very cheap lens. Furthermore, I don't see a big problem in bigger filter sizes, as these lenses don't really need a protective filters (they would cost almost as a lens itself). I want to say, that Nikon decided not to go back 52mm filters anymore and is probably staying with 58mm on these small primes for the next few years or so. So why would you want to go backwards, if you can go with the flow for practically the same money.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by ZinhaEq

but if you look closely 50mm D lenses are not THAT much cheaper than G.

Hmmmm. Here is Canada, the difference is $389 vs $579 for the 50mm 1.4 Thats about 50% more, or fairly substantial in my books.

The filter is important to me for ND & CPOL, even though I do use UV for protection. I already have 52mm filters, so that has to be a consideration. Also, the 52mm is not dead. They released the 85mm f3.5 VR Micro 6 months ago in a 52mm filter size.

While I do not have experience with the G lenses in this focal length, the test I have seen rate them so close that it is not even worth talking about.....

So, for $200 difference in the lenses, having to buy new filters and not gaining any real improvement optically should make anyone pause and consider staying with D, unless that have more money than sense, or have a body without a drive screw.

[ZinhaEq]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Hmmmm. Here is Canada, the difference is $389 vs $579 for the 50mm 1.4 Thats about 50% more, or fairly substantial in my books.

The filter is important to me for ND & CPOL, even though I do use UV for protection. I already have 52mm filters, so that has to be a consideration. Also, the 52mm is not dead. They released the 85mm f3.5 VR Micro 6 months ago in a 52mm filter size.

While I do not have experience with the G lenses in this focal length, the test I have seen rate them so close that it is not even worth talking about.....

So, for $200 difference in the lenses, having to buy new filters and not gaining any real improvement optically should make anyone pause and consider staying with D, unless that have more money than sense, or have a body without a drive screw.

Well, I am sorry to hear you have such difference in price in Canada between these two lenses. I was looking from my viewpoint, because here in Europe I can get 50mm f/1.4G for 339€ and Nikon 50mm f/1.4D for 289€, which isn't a big difference at all.

Also I think that not many people use these lenses with special filters (CPL, ND...) - or am I wrong? But of course, for you and those who need them, I am sure this is a very important matter.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX has 52mm filter thread too, but it's a DX lens, as the 85mm Micro. In future, we almost surely won't see any more G lenses for FX format that will have 52mm filter thread. But I have to completely agree that with D lenses filter use is much more practical (24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4 - all with 52mm filter thread, not like today lenses).