Is a 50mm f/1.4 worth it over a 50mm f/1.8 on a Nikon D50?
Asked 7/15/2010
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I’m considering a prime lens for my Nikon D50 and noticed the 50mm f/1.8 is much cheaper than the f/1.4 AF-S version. Aside from the lower f-number, what do you actually gain with the f/1.4? Is the difference in low-light performance, depth of field, sharpness, or build quality noticeable enough to justify the higher price?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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It's an extra two-thirds of an f-stop, with all that comes with it:
- Narrower depth of field (perhaps marginal in comparison to the f/1,8)
- Brighter viewfinder; great in low-light situations
- Might be the difference between getting the shot or not, also in low-light situations
- Lenses tend to get sharper when stopped down. At f/1,8 the f/1,4 lens is stopped down two-thirds of a stop, while the f/1,8 is wide open. I don't know if there is any actual difference in sharpness between the lenses here, but I would assume that the f/1,4 is sharper at f/1,8 than the f/1,8 lens.
Is it worth the price difference? Only you can tell...
Originally by user10. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user10
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The main gain is speed: f/1.4 gives about 2/3 of a stop more light than f/1.8. In practice that can help in low light, give a slightly brighter viewfinder, and allow slightly shallower depth of field.
However, the difference is not huge. For many shooters, it won’t be dramatic enough to justify spending hundreds more unless you specifically need every bit of low-light performance. Also, lenses are often a bit better stopped down, so an f/1.4 lens may perform better at f/1.8 than an f/1.8 lens does wide open, but the real-world difference may still be modest.
Another factor is build quality: the faster lens is often built better, which can account for part of the price difference.
On a Nikon body, also check autofocus compatibility. Some Nikon 50mm f/1.8 versions rely on the camera’s focus motor, while AF-S versions have their own motor.
Bottom line: if you truly need the extra 2/3 stop and better build, the f/1.4 can be worth it. Otherwise, the f/1.8 is usually the better value.
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