Questions before buying 50mm 1.4G

[Bedo]

I would like to buy a new 50mm 1.4G (or 1.8G that is a bit less expensive).

If you know this lens, I would like to ask you:

1. There is no VR. Have you ever had problems with blurred/unsharpened images?
2. Min focus distance is 0.48m. I know this is not a micro-lens, but could this cause problems?
3. Did you try 85mm? Which lens do you use more often?
4. If you had to choose (budget reasons) between this lens and an external flash (maybe metz 50) to do portraits, what would you choose before?

By the way I would use it on a DX (D7000).

Thank you!

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[BXPhoto]

50mm is great on crop. VR isn't needed really until over 100mm in my experience. Heck even at 135mm I never needed VR/IS unless the lighting was real real bad. 1.4 will allow you to work in real low light conditions allowing you to keep your shutter speeds high enough to compensate for camera shake. Whether you need 1.4 or not is up to you.

[o hey tyler]

I would like to buy a new 50mm 1.4G (or 1.8G that is a bit less expensive).

If you know this lens, I would like to ask you:

1. There is no VR. Have you ever had problems with blurred/unsharpened images? 50mm is too short for the need of VR/IS.
2. Min focus distance is 0.48m. I know this is not a micro-lens, but could this cause problems? Why would that cause problems? You're not buying a macro lens. If you want a shorter minimum focus distance, I think Nikon makes a 40mm macro.
3. Did you try 85mm? Which lens do you use more often? The 85mm will have an even farther minimum focus distance, and prevent you from getting a lot of shots indoors. I personally use 85mm more often, but I have a full frame camera.
4. If you had to choose (budget reasons) between this lens and an external flash (maybe metz 50) to do portraits, what would you choose before? Depends on what your lenses are. But if the Metz is going to be your first flash, I'd suggest you get a Nikon made flash to utilize CLS or TTL on camera.

By the way I would use it on a DX (D7000).

Thank you!

.

[Bedo]

Ok, thank you a lot about the informations on the 50mm 1.4G. I think I will buy it.

About the flash:

Depends on what your lenses are. But if the Metz is going to be your first flash, I'd suggest you get a Nikon made flash to utilize CLS or TTL on camera.

I have only a 18-105mm VR and a 55-300mm VR.

Honestly I don't know anything about flashes. The shop's employer suggested me to buy a Metz 50. However I have just read something on CLS and TTL (on google) and it sounds very interesting. What about flash quality? I know we're going off topic, but if you have any opinions or links I would really appreciate them

Thank you

[fjrabon]

I would like to buy a new 50mm 1.4G (or 1.8G that is a bit less expensive).

If you know this lens, I would like to ask you:

1. There is no VR. Have you ever had problems with blurred/unsharpened images? 50mm is too short for the need of VR/IS.
2. Min focus distance is 0.48m. I know this is not a micro-lens, but could this cause problems? Why would that cause problems? You're not buying a macro lens. If you want a shorter minimum focus distance, I think Nikon makes a 40mm macro.
3. Did you try 85mm? Which lens do you use more often? The 85mm will have an even farther minimum focus distance, and prevent you from getting a lot of shots indoors. I personally use 85mm more often, but I have a full frame camera.
4. If you had to choose (budget reasons) between this lens and an external flash (maybe metz 50) to do portraits, what would you choose before? Depends on what your lenses are. But if the Metz is going to be your first flash, I'd suggest you get a Nikon made flash to utilize CLS or TTL on camera.

By the way I would use it on a DX (D7000).

Thank you!

.

The Metz 50 does CLS and TTL.

Edit: Actually on second thought I'm not sure that it does CLS, I don't think I've ever even tried it. I know it does TTL though.

Edit: on third thought, yeah, it definitely does CLS and can be either a master or a slave.

[fjrabon]

Ok, thank you a lot about the informations on the 50mm 1.4G. I think I will buy it.

About the flash:

Depends on what your lenses are. But if the Metz is going to be your first flash, I'd suggest you get a Nikon made flash to utilize CLS or TTL on camera.

I have only a 18-105mm VR and a 55-300mm VR.

Honestly I don't know anything about flashes. The shop's employer suggested me to buy a Metz 50. However I have just read something on CLS and TTL (on google) and it sounds very interesting. What about flash quality? I know we're going off topic, but if you have any opinions or links I would really appreciate them

Thank you

I have the Metz 50, it's a great flash. Good build quality, relatively quick recycle times when batteries are fully charged, good reach. The AF assist is good. I rarely use TTL (or CLS for that matter), I tend to prefer manual, so while it does that, I can't really speak to how well it does it.

[LizardKing]

I've read the 50mm f/1.8G is actually better than the f/1.4G, so if you decide to go with it... I don't really think it's worth paying more for the f/1.4G

[Mach0]

I've read the 50mm f/1.8G is actually better than the f/1.4G, so if you decide to go with it... I don't really think it's worth paying more for the f/1.4G

1.8G?

[boomer]

I ended up going with the 1.8G over the 1.4G. I seem to always hear mixed reviews on the 1.4G and have played with it a little myself. So far so go with my new 50mm 1.8G. It is a nice lens. Unless you have a real need for the 1.4 over the 1.8, I think you will be just as happy with the 1.8G

[pixmedic]

I have the 50mm 1.8D and 50mm 1.4D and there is a pretty big difference. Even the build quality on the 1.4 seems better. cant speak for the G lenses. also, you can always change the aperture on your 1.4 lens to 1.8 or whatever, but you can never make your 1.8 lens open up to f/1.4. If you think you might use f/1.4, then thats the lens to get.

[orb9220]

I've read the 50mm f/1.8G is actually better than the f/1.4G, so if you decide to go with it... I don't really think it's worth paying more for the f/1.4G

1.8G?

Yes there is the Older 50mm f1.8 AF-D and the newer 50mm f1.8G AF-S that is about $75 more than the oder D version. And being your first prime would recommend saving some cash and get the f1.8G over the f1.4 at 2x the price. As only a 2/3rds stop difference.
.

[fjrabon]

I have the 50mm 1.8D and 50mm 1.4D and there is a pretty big difference. Even the build quality on the 1.4 seems better. cant speak for the G lenses. also, you can always change the aperture on your 1.4 lens to 1.8 or whatever, but you can never make your 1.8 lens open up to f/1.4. If you think you might use f/1.4, then thats the lens to get.

THe f/1.8G >>>> than the f/1.8D from the copies I've seen.

[Bedo]

Wow I've found a lot of interesting links telling me to buy 50mm 1.8G instead of 1.4G!!!

Seven 50mm prime lenses for Nikon F-mount compared by Cary Jordan | Nikon Rumors

http://nikonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NikonAFS5014G_WObokeh_crop.jpg
http://nikonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NikonAFS5018G_WObokeh_crop.jpg

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-50mm-f1-8g-review/5

[pixmedic]

THe f/1.8G >>>> than the f/1.8D from the copies I've seen.

Well, that is why i qualified my statement with me having no experience based input on the G lenses. Since I only own the 50mm 1.4D and 1.8D lenses, i felt those were the only ones i was even remotely qualified to give an opinion on.

[Mach0]

Yes there is the Older 50mm f1.8 AF-D and the newer 50mm f1.8G AF-S that is about $75 more than the oder D version. And being your first prime would recommend saving some cash and get the f1.8G over the f1.4 at 2x the price. As only a 2/3rds stop difference.
.

I know. He originally had the 50 1.8g vs 1.8g. It was a typo so I quoted it.