50mm: 1.4 or 1.8???

[MHD]

Is the f/1.4 worth the extra dollars?
The next tool in my kit is quickly looking like being one of these two puppies...
The hype on the Maxwell page says on the 1.4:

Distortion-free images with superb resolution and colour rendition

But does not say the same for the 1.8....

Is so? Anyone tried one or both of these peices of glass?

I wandered in to my local teds the other day and strapped it on (1.8, they did not have the 1.4) but it was kinda dark and uncolourfull in the store..

Hmmm....

[Onyx]

http://dr-cbtan.fotopic.net/p7095863.html

One of the best shots I've taken with the 1.4 (it belongs to the guy in the picture - Gunther). It was unbelievably dark. Shot wide open, 1/5s shutter and ISO1600. I just dislike the bokeh - light sources clearly shown heptagonal shaped.

[gstark]

I have the 1.4, and the extra light it gathers for you is awesome. Much more than I expected.

Who needs night vision anyway?

[Glen]

Hi Mhd, hard decision isn't it? I have the 1:8 and am considering the 1:4 for its low light capabilities. Both lenses are rated highly, especially for the price (the 1:8 gets down to $198 these days, the fastest lens you can get for anywhere near that money!). On this site http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html they are both rated 5 out of 5. I have also read that the 1:4 is sharper between 1:4 (it would have to be, the 1:8 doesn't go there) to 2:8, they are the same to f4, then the 1:8 is sharper. I cant remember where I read that, and may I state I don't know, just repeating what I read. Don't pay too much attention to Maxwells website, if they were absolutely correct some of the lenses would have as a description "this lens is created to stop consumers buying cheap ordinary performing third party lenses and instead buy cheap ordinary performing Nikkor lenses"

Good luck

ps Gary and Birddog are two who have the 1:4

[birddog114]

Glen,
Well said and exactly, they're!!!!
Make people confused!!!!! I have 50/ 1.4. Did not see much difference in between!
But the 85/1.4 & 85/1.8, It has lot of difference in quality and bokeh.

[Matt. K]

That extra speed will rarely be used and is not worth the money unless you are a night stalker. Save your bucks for a second lens or a flashgun.