Nifty 50mm: I am planning to buy one, but not sure if I should get the one that is 1.8 or 1.4 f/stop. Big difference in price for such a small change. I like doing landscape, macro and...

faygo Loc: Tucson, AZ

I am planning to buy one, but not sure if I should get the one that is 1.8 or 1.4 f/stop. Big difference in price for such a small change. I like doing landscape, macro and action shots, some low light conditions may exist with the action shots, will the 1.8 work just as good. Any advice is welcome.

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

The 50mm is not really the best FL for landscape and certainly not macro whichever you choose 1.4 or 1.8.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

faygo wrote:

I am planning to buy one, but not sure if I should get the one that is 1.8 or 1.4 f/stop. Big difference in price for such a small change. I like doing landscape, macro and action shots, some low light conditions may exist with the action shots, will the 1.8 work just as good. Any advice is welcome.

Reality is "you get what you pay for". The difference in price is not so much the gained aperture opening as the quality and build of the lens. If you care for sharpness and quaity, buy the better of the two.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

h2odog wrote:

The 50mm is not really the best FL for landscape and certainly not macro whichever you choose 1.4 or 1.8.

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The what lens is ?

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

Weddingguy wrote:

Reality is "you get what you pay for". The difference in price is not so much the gained aperture opening as the quality and build of the lens. If you care for sharpness and quaity, buy the better of the two.

Sharpness is the same for both but build quality is much better for more $$$.

Paying <$100 for the 1.8 is not much to lose and well worth having. I like mine.
Either is good for walk around taking snap shots.
Neither is good for landscape.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Jackinthebox wrote:

Sharpness is the same for both but build quality is much better for more $$$.

Paying <$100 for the 1.8 is not much to lose and well worth having. I like mine.
Either is good for walk around taking snap shots.
Neither is good for landscape.

Take both lenses . . . shoot the same subject with both wide open . . . then come back and show me that both have the same sharpness ability . . . NOT!

You definitely get what you pay for!

daddybear Loc: Brunswick, NY

A 50mm lens has a learning curve as to where and when to use it. I would start with the f1.8 at a 100 bucks. If you find you use it and like it, at 100 dollars use it as a backup or a gift. If you love the focal length then step up to the to the 1.4.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Yea Don. I think Waterboarding is kind of RASH! Tar and Feather, maybe!

As far as the 50mm. I had the Nikkor 50mm f1.8G and sold it because I like my 24-85mmVR G that I bought with my D600 so much.
I had heard that many reviewers' claimed the 1.8 was crisper than the 1.4.
Go Figure!

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

donrent wrote:

===================================
The what lens is ?

There isn't one best lens for landscape. Of course, you can use a 50mm, or wider, or telephoto, or zoom, depending on what you are trying to achieve...the perspective and field of view you are looking for. Here is a good You Tube video that shows how different FL can be used for landscapes and how perspective and field of view can significantly change the image.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C977pT2rmpY

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

Weddingguy wrote:

Take both lenses . . . shoot the same subject with both wide open . . . then come back and show me that both have the same sharpness ability . . . NOT!

You definitely get what you pay for!

Looks like you have both.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

faygo wrote:

I am planning to buy one, but not sure if I should get the one that is 1.8 or 1.4 f/stop. Big difference in price for such a small change. I like doing landscape, macro and action shots, some low light conditions may exist with the action shots, will the 1.8 work just as good. Any advice is welcome.

Is your camera full frame sensor or crop sensor? For landscape photography, if it's a crop sensor camera, I would say either 24mm or 35mm. If it's a full frame sensor camera, I would say either 35mm or 50mm. I don't think any of those lenses would do all that well for macro.
For low light, the wider the aperture the faster the shutter speed you can use, but at the same time, the wider the aperture the less depth of field you will have. Try pushing you ISO higher before opening your aperture all the way.

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Jackinthebox wrote:

Looks like you have both.

Had . . . .

Weddingguy Loc: British Columbia - Canada

Mac wrote:

Is your camera full frame sensor or crop sensor? F... (show quote)

Landscape photography requires both low ISO and all the DOF you can muster. Use a tripod and lengthen the shutter speed to accomplish both.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You didn't say if you shoot Nikon or Canon. IF you shoot Nikon, AND you have a camera that has it's own autofocusing motor, I would suggest purchasing the 50mm f1.8d lens. The d lens does not come with the motor in it and will rely on the camera's motor. As a result, it is quite a bit less expensive than the f1.8g which comes with a motor. I am amazed at the light gathering capability of the 1.8. I can't imagine the need for the 1.4. When I shoot in a poorly lit room with the 1.8, the result that I get is as though the room was fully lit. It is possible that whomever you purchase the lens from will have a 30 day return policy if it doesn't meet your requirements....esp. if you decide to purchase the more expensive lens.

B&H has the f1.8D for $113
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=247091&gclid=CLi3gL_jtMACFYMF7AodxWEAsQ&Q=&is=GREY&A=details

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

h2odog wrote:

There isn't one best lens for landscape. Of course, you can use a 50mm, or wider, or telephoto, or zoom, depending on what you are trying to achieve...the perspective and field of view you are looking for. Here is a good You Tube video that shows how different FL can be used for landscapes and how perspective and field of view can significantly change the image.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C977pT2rmpY

Try this link.
ronny