NIKON AF-S 50mm f 1.4 - OR NOT?

[LENAAPPLE1974]

Hi all. I will be purchasing my first new lens for my camera (Nikon D40X) to accompany the one I got with it this month. (AF-S DX 18-135mm) I am almost 100% positive of what I want, but the prices... OHHHH!! And being I have the D40X, not many lenses are compatible to the full features of the camera. I am going to be honest - I shoot auto at least 80% of the time. The other 20%, I am playing around with Shutter Priority and Apperture modes. I am trying to work away from the auto as much as I can, but there are currently so many children in our family, that it is hard to get away from. I need that auto feature to capture things QUICK! Until they all calm down, I will not be able to fully shed my automatic use. Hence, next lens will need to have that automatic focusing feature. So I am looking at the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f 1.4 prime lens, at a nice little price between $420 & $470 at my favorite stores. I checked out that thread with the 50mm pics, and there were nothing but rave reviews! So this is why I am almost set on it, however - there is a cheaper option, and I am not sure if this would be better, or not. The 35mm prime. I think the one for my camera is AF-s 35mm f 1.8 at a price of around $230. I was hoping to get a debate going, and get some advice, and maybe examples (more so from the 35mm), or a better option?

[Drkranger]

How about the 50mm f/1.8?

Adorama has the 1.8 & 1.4 at about $200 difference:

2137 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Standard Auto Focus Nikkor Lens - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty
1902 Nikon 50mm f/1.4D Auto Focus AF Nikkor Lens - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty

And the lens you get depends on what you're going to shoot. 50mm and 85mm are great portrait lenses, the 85mm more so. I don't use a straight 35mm, but when I shoot that wide, it's only landscapes.

Honestly, for your first prime lens, I'd go with the 50mm f/1.8.

[kirbinster]

Why do you want a 50mm lens? You already have that range covered. If you want the sharpness that is fine, but why f/1.4 why not f/1.8? Are you such a pro (no offense intended) that you are really going to see that much difference between the two - I would doubt it. Further, why would you want to buy a lens that will require manual focus?

[LENAAPPLE1974]

No, I want the lens where I do not need to focus manually, unless I want to. I re-read my post just to be sure I didn't fudge that statement up, and I didn't. I just stated I'd like to, and I do practice, but cannot (too many kids etc).

The D40 and D60 models only support the AF-S lens models, hence leaving me no choice but the one 50mm model at this point that came out in 08. (Unless someone else knows of another AF-S model that I have not found yet) I do want it #1 for the sharpness. #2 for the light sensitivity and focal distance my doesnt seem to like. My lens is good, but definitely not good enough. I do notice the littlest differences, and it bothers me. While I am no "pro", I can see the difference. The 1.4 over the 1.8 because the 1.8 model does not support the auto features. Otherwise that $133 model is the one I would get. I do almost want to get that one, just so I will be forced to practice, but have no patience currently. This is why I am asking for advice and opinions. I think that the 50mm, or a prime lens in general will help me have a whole new perspective on photos. While I normally donnot zoom often, it will make me get closer. I am broadening my horizons if you will...Kirbinster, why do you have a 50mm if you have the 18-200mm, etc.?

[OsmosisStudios]

Why not the AF-S 35mm f/1.8? Half the price

[LoveDSLR]

LENAAPPLE1974 is looking for D40X AF capable lenses. So the choices are AF-S 35 f/1.8 and AF-S 50 f/1.4.

The 35mm (~50mm full frame) is good for children around the house while 50mm (~75mm FF) is excellent for portraits. Why not check your photos to see which focal length you used the most first. You can use ExposurePlot to do the checking.

Both lenses are good but I feel 50mm f/1.4 is a better (build) lens and a longer term investment (FX lens).

[LENAAPPLE1974]

LoveDSLR, you hit it on the head! I think portrait style and that kind of framing is what I use most. I will definitely be splurging for that lens then.

Now, since kirbinster was saying why not just stick with what I have, I was wondering if anyone has both the lens I have now, and the 50mm I am scheduled to purchase. (Remember... AF-S!!) If a few of you could possibly post two of the same pictures, only changing the lens - using the same distance. This way I could see the difference between the zoom lens and the prime? I guess really any 18-135 or 18-200 would be fine to see, but it would be best to be the same. Thanks in advance to anyone who does this!! Your help would be much appreciated.

[Free]

Hi Mate,

I just picked up the 35mm f/1.8 last week. I'm afraid I haven't been able to get out and give it a proper workout to get any decent pics yet, but just playing around the house in low light, then lens is awesome! You just wont get the same speed out of a kit lens!!!

I also have the 50mm f/1.8 (There's no way my wife would let me fork for the 1.4 - it's ~$800 here!) and even with the manual focus on my D60 it's an awesome lens. You'll love the 1.4! The tighter crop makes it a bit too close for anywhere you don't have heaps of room though.

Kirbinster - The OP wants the 1.4 because it does autofocus on his/her body. The 1.8 doesn't not autofocus on D40s or D60s. (I know, I have the D60 and the 1.8). Also, the sharpness and speed are far superior on the small primes compared to a kit lens.

See the attachments for examples of kit -vs- prime. I just picked up my D60, set it to aperture priority, put the kit lens on set to ~50mm and hit go (the largest the aperture could go on the kit lens at 50mm is ~5.5). Then swapped to the 50mm f/1.8 manually focused and got the next pic. The benefit of a fast prime is fairly obvious!

BTW - it's 6 in the morning here and my lounge is quite dimly lit.

[Free]

Just for good measure and in case Lennaapple is interested this one is with the 35mm...

All pics straight from camera jpg, resized only in PS and uploaded. The heater is ~8' away

Cheers
Free

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by LENAAPPLE1974

If a few of you could possibly post two of the same pictures, only changing the lens - using the same distance. This way I could see the difference between the zoom lens and the prime? I guess really any 18-135 or 18-200 would be fine to see, but it would be best to be the same.

You can go over to nikoncafe.com (need registration), lens lust section. There are tons of sample images from most Nikon compatible lenses.