Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
f/1.4 or f/1.8
- Thread starter hans3185
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Currently only the 50mm f/1.4 will autofocus with the D40.
f/1.4 is not such a big difference to justify the price, but it do is a difference after all. With the current AF lenses, reviews do point the f/1.4 is sharper and offers better bokeh.
We'll have to wait for the new f/1.8 to see how it compares with the f/1.4.
f/1.4 is not such a big difference to justify the price, but it do is a difference after all. With the current AF lenses, reviews do point the f/1.4 is sharper and offers better bokeh.
We'll have to wait for the new f/1.8 to see how it compares with the f/1.4.
The f/1.4 Nikon just announced has an AF-S motor in it - so it'll autofocus on the D40. That lens won't be available until December.
Sigma also makes an f/1.4 that includes an in-lens motor. It's as expensive as the new Nikon - both are in the $400-500 range.
Sigma also makes an f/1.4 that includes an in-lens motor. It's as expensive as the new Nikon - both are in the $400-500 range.
Neither the 1.4 nor the 1.8 will autofocus on your D40. I had the same dilemma 2 months ago and went for the 1.8. Haven't tried the 1.4, but unless you have a VERY specific need for that extra 1/2 stop I'd say save $200 and go with the 1.8. As it is, at 1.8 the DOF is very narrow and without a tripod it is a challenge to focus properly (manually).
Peter...
Peter...
I'd go for the 1.8, perhaps with a view to upgrading to the AF-S 1.4 if you feel the need in the future. Depreciation isn't *so* bad on lenses.
Either go for Sigma's 1.4/50 mm (which is rather large, but has very good IQ) or you wait for Nikon to release the all-new AF-S 1.4/50.
Peter,
The old 50/1.4 won't AF with the D40/40x/60, but the new one will. They just announce it about a week ago. That's what the posters above are referring to.
ft
I have the 1.8 version on my D40 and manually focusing isn't that bad. It just takes a little getting use to. For the price, it is a pretty nice bargain. I would say to get the 1.8 version and if you don't much care for it, it didn't set you back much. The wait for the AF-S 1.4 may be a bit. I have the kit lens and the AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED.
i'd go 1.4. the extra stop is nice to have. i have a 1.8 and wish i just went for the 1.4 first
For the price, go with the f/1.8, and if you find you need the extra stop, sell the f/1.8 to fund the f/1.4.
Look on Craigslist... The 50mm f/1.8 can be had for under $80 used now-a-days.
Look on Craigslist... The 50mm f/1.8 can be had for under $80 used now-a-days.
You are in luck. Nikon has just released a new version of the f/1.4 50mm lens.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2180/AF-NIKKOR-50mm-f/1.4G.html
This lens is better than the older f/1.4 and importantly to D40 owners is that it is a "G" model and has it's own built-in focus motor. It's expensive but now the new f/1.4 50mm G really is better than the f/1.8 because of both automatic focus ability and the improved optical design.
Stops
For sake of accuracy, f/1.4 is 2/3 stops faster than 1.8, and a full stop faster than f/2.0.
i'd go 1.4. the extra stop is nice to have. i have a 1.8 and wish i just went for the 1.4 first
For sake of accuracy, f/1.4 is 2/3 stops faster than 1.8, and a full stop faster than f/2.0.
Unless you have a lot of experience manual focusing, the f1.4 will be much sharper than the f1.8, simply because the camera will hit the focus for you. My friend has the d40 with the f1.8, and he often mentions how difficult it is to hit the focus with the f1.8. This is because of both the ergonomics of the f1.8 lens (very narrow focus ring) and the smallness of the viewfinder. He's thinking of keeping the f1.8 but moving to the d80 for this very reason.
That's what I ended up doing. I had the d40 and was given the f1.8 as a gift, not realizing it wouldn't autofocus. I'd done a lot of manual focusing in the past on film bodies, but not since moving to a DSLR, and found it much more difficult. I ended up selling my d40 on craigslist for $350 or so, and picking up a d80 off of craigslist for $200. Funny to pay an extra $200 to be able to use a $100 lens, but I've been really happy with the upgrade.