Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

I want to upgrade my lenses from the 18-55D and 55-300 to a 50mm
prime.I plan to shoot mostly Parties,Events,Portraits and in Nite Clubs with poor lighting. Which lens would be best? The 50mm 1.4D or the 1.4G or the 1.8D or 1.8G? Price is not the main issue. I just want the best lens for my needs. Anyone with experience with these lenses? I have done extensive research and still can't decide. I am leaning to the 1.4D

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Why not Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S?

Royce Moss Loc: Irvine, CA

I plan to buy one of these for portraits

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

Good luck trying to find someone that has used all four of these lenses and can give you some "real world results" on their performance. You can checkout internet info on DxO and others. I have and use frequently the 50 mm f/1.4D on both my FX and DX bodies with good results.

Jahawk Loc: Rhode Island

What Camera are you using ??

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

Since you currently use an 18-55 zoom you obviously have a cropped sensor body, but you need to tell us which one.

If you have a D3000 series or D5000 series camera (or some earlier models) you will not get auto-focus with the "D" lenses which have no built-in AF motor. They rely on the camera containing an AF motor....such as the D7000 series.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

I own both the 50mm 1.8G and the 50mm 1.4G. You did not say what camera body you are working with, but the lenses you are upgrading from are DX lenses, so I will assume it is a DX body you are working with. For the conditions you describe I would actually recommend you consider the 35mm DX f/1.8. If you want a 50mm for low light shooting. I would recommend the f/1.8G. It is lighter, focuses a shade faster, and it will autofocus on any Nikon digital body you stick it on.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

:thumbup: The 35 1.8 DX should be considered.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

No 50mm for me. I find them quite boring.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I don't see the 50mm prime lens as an upgrade, but rather as a different type of lens that requires a different approach to photography. All "zooming" must be done with your feet, which takes some getting used to if you are only familiar with zoom lenses.

zundapp5 Loc: Portugal

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Apo Planar T :thumbup:

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

I use the Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX DG HSM with excellent results!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Fast lenses are usually not at their best when used wide open. But at F2.8 they will be better than an F2.8 lens at F2.8. That being said, you never said which camera you use.

A couple of days ago I shot some cats for a local rescue, no time or room to set up lighting. Ambient was awful. This is an example of a shot from that shoot.

The point is that I could have used a faster lens, but I would have had even less depth of field, and I doubt that it would have been sharper.

From what I have seen, your kit lenses do best at around F8, which is a good aperture for both image quality and depth of field regardless of how fast the lens is.

But your quest should be for learning how to use lighting - ambient and flash, and how to make the results look different from a cellphone camera. The second image below was taken at a wedding I did a number of years ago, using bounced flash mounted on a flash bracket. I never point a flash at anyone (it looks like it was taken with a point and shoot of cellphone camera) to get softer shadows and more natural light. The ambient in this room was very low key, but by using a slow shutter speed, I was able to get a little bit of the ambient light. I put a 3/4 CTO filter on the flash to minimize the color temperature difference between the ambient and flash.

You don't need a fast lens, and a prime with a focal length of 50mm will really make life difficult as far as framing and composition is concerned. Wedding and event shooters often use zooms - any lens (or pair of lenses) that will give you coverage wide angle to medium telephoto. Flexibility with focal length without having to move around or change lenses is an important feature. I like the 50mm lenses - they are all very good, but I wouldn't use one for event photography. What you have is fine - you'll be better off getting a decent flash and learning how best to use it.

ISO 6400, F4.5, 24-70 F2.8, D800

(Download)

ISO 400, F7.1, 18-200 F3.5-5.6, D300

(Download)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You will receive different answers because we are all different. This is my take on your questions.
If you are going to be photographing in low light either, the 50mm f1.4 and the 50mm f1.8 will both serve your purpose. The f1.8 lens is 2/3 stops less but a very competent lens and cheaper.
For portraits I prefer a medium tele and for groups a 35mm lens. Keep in mind that these prime lenses that you mentioned behave at their actual focal length only if using full frame.
The 24-70mm f2.8 would be the ideal lens for the shots you have in mind but it is pricey.