john_ellingsworth Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Hi. I recently acquired the D80 w/18-135 kit and wanted to get a fast lens that I could actually afford. I am strongly considering this lens, and am wondering what specific issues I would face in using it with the D80. I also considered the 50mm f/1.4, but from what I have read, the soft focus of it negates any benefit over the 1.8. Comments, suggestions or experiences greatly appreciated. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 John, I use the f/1.8 version and love it. It is a great performer. I've also used a non-AF version of the f/1.4. I think people get too entrenched in legend and fail to sort out fact, but the f/1.4 is a great performer as well. If there's a "negate" element in the comparison, it's that there is not a full f-stop difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8. Plus the f/1.4 is about 3 times more money. If you need the speed, the f/1.4 is a great lens too, and the only time it ever looks soft is at full aperture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwrtertbsratbs5 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 The 50mm f/1.8 is a very good lens - I use one on my D200. For $100 you really can't miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwcombs Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Get the 50mm f/1.8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2yellowdogs Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 John, the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 is the best value going. Sharp, fast and cheap - all at the same time. Not too many lenses out there that you can say about that. Get one without hesitation.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_ellingsworth Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I am going to go with the 1.8, and hope to share some photos as soon as possible. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_bez Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 'Soft Focus' f1.4 are you kidding? The only reason to purchase the f1.8 over the f1.4 is the cost. The 1.4 is superior in every other way. If you can not afford one by all means buy the 1.8. But do not kid yourself it is a better lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wj_lee Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 I don't know where this myth that 50 1.4 is significantly less sharp than 1.8 comes from. True, about twice as more expensive than 1.8 but yo do get better optics and a faster lens. No doubt 1.8 is better value but 1.4 is without a doubt a better lens in just about every way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmene Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 The only reason to buy 1.4 is 0.3 stop difference and use in very dim light. 1.8 is maybe the best ever sharo lens of Nikon. I use it 30 years and I am it's superb. This is not just my opinion but you may read reviews. Keep the extra money for the next lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_skomial Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 "I also considered the 50mm f/1.4, but from what I have read, the soft focus of" - the "soft focus" is an opinion voiced by those who could not afford the 50/1.4, and had to settle for 1.8, and that bothers them too much apparently. "Sharp minds" use sharp lenses, others just brag about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisekennedy Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 I have the f/1.4 and love it. I had the option to buy the 1.8 while at the store trying to compare them. Of course it's impossible to see any difference in the camera on the monitor, but what was most annoying was that the camera guy insisted that I wouldn't need the 1.4 or see a difference and the 1.8 was exactly the same. Considering they are close, but not really the same, I decided to go with the 1.4. Why would Nikon make two lenses exactly the same? So in that moment I opted to go with that logic. And because the camera guy looked down his nose at me. On my d200 it's a great performer, one I have in my bag all the time. It's also a beautiful portrait lens in my humble opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeux tortu Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Consider the 35 2.0 AFD. It has more contrast wide open and sharp but not quite as sharp over f4. But for speed you get good results wide open and the ability to shoot at 1/30s if you have static subject and steady hands. I find the 50 1.8 to suffer loss of contrast wide open and needing 2.8 to match the 35 2.0. You can pick up a used one for 200 from KEH in BGN condition. Worth the 100% premium over the 50 1.8 in my opinion. I would not say the same for the 50 1.4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_angel Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 I have been using the 50/1.4 AiS for a long time. Every time I see "their" slides I have to remember the softness of the images produced by this lens. In spite of it, I like it and use it quite often. Not always a bit soft is the same as bad. Never used the AF version, neither the 1.8 or 1.4. My 45/2.8P is quite different, pretty sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_angel Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 If I`m not wrong AiS and AFD lenses have the same optical formula. I don`t know if coatings have been improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmene Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 Go to this site to read about the best of Nikon ever http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html and let the unfocus minds to say whatever. Just ask some fellows to publish their work instead of trying to prove they are experts. The 1.4 is not soft but the dof at 1.4 is very shallow and very difficult to focus. Who ever owns any of these lenses will never change his mind. So more photos and less discussion.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_ellingsworth Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 Thanks, everyone, for the samples. They really do help. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron l Posted December 13, 2006 Share Posted December 13, 2006 John, You can see an example of the performance of my 50mm f1.8 here: http://aaronlinsdau.com/gear/articles/50mm_lens_sharpness.html You can see the twigs on the trees in the blow-up. This is one lens where I have never regretted the $110 I've spent. Get it, you will not regret it. Then you will want those f2.8 zooms... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enw Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Amazon has this lens now for $99.88 with free shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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