nikon 50mm 1.4D or 1.8D

Buying a grey import makes the 1.8D so cheap its silly not to get one, they are cheaper new than used???
But that got me looking at the 1.4D which is also pretty cheap grey import too.

I have read a lot of reviews on them and it sounds like the 1.8 might be the sharper lens.
DXO rates the 1.8 slightly sharper but the 1.4 wins out in just about every other way.

I want to use it as a straight forward prime and also as a macro on a reverse ring (hence want a manual aperture) and I believe it will make for a good IR lens when (and if) I get a converted body.

Some real world feed back would be much appreciated.

Thanks

The nifty 50 is so inexpensive that you need not get the grey market version. And the 1.8 is the better bargain. Everyone needs one of these lenses in their bag.

Agree 100% with @RON. Everyone needs a nifty fifty in their bag. I think the 1.4 only outperforms the 1.8 after something like f12 or f16. If you're going to be shooting wider than that, stick with the 1.8, it can't be be beat for the price!

The 1.4D also outperforms the 1.8 @ 1.4 . I've been using the 1.4D for 10 years and it's a decent lens.

I am after the D not the G for the reasons stated above. If it wasn't for the need for the aperture control I would get the AF-S version.

What's the issue with imported lenses out of interest?
I have bought a lot of my camera gear that way over the years and saved thousands and never had a problem. For example the cheapest I could find the D810 body in a UK shop was about £2400 and I got it for £1545 in the end from an online retailer who distributes world wide. That's one hell of a difference!
To buy the 1.8D here in the UK is £109 and to buy it online is £72, as I am already ordering a tamron 15-30 from them (with a similar percentage off) it makes sense to get them together.

Get the 1.4.

ditonics said:

What's the issue with imported lenses out of interest?

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Because grey market kit is eeeeeeeeeeeevil. Duh. Grey market kit will make your teeth rot, ruin your marriage, causes drought, flooding, locust swarms, toenail fungus and is the primary reason your souffle's fall. Ever wonder why your socks disappear in the laundry? Yeah, that's right... Take a wild arse guess, Mr. Grey Market kit.

....

ditonics said:

I have bought a lot of my camera gear that way over the years and saved thousands and never had a problem.

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Funny thing... So have I.

My advice: Go with the f/1.4 version. Get it in grey, if you can, and don't look back.
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Unless you really need to shoot the lens at F1.4, the F1.8 wins hands down, and if you do not need AF, the AIS version is excellent.

I'm 'frugal' and when looking at this decision a while back went for the 1.8 - didn't hurt I was able to pick it up a a camera store close out sale. Only have the 1.8 so can't compare but I can say I love my 'nifty fifty' and have not regretted it.

I went for the 1.8D, works a treat. Little surprised at how plasticy it is compared to my other lenses but then it was a fraction of the price.

ditonics said:

I went for the 1.8D, works a treat. Little surprised at how plasticy it is compared to my other lenses but then it was a fraction of the price.

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Well done, nice little lens.

ditonics said:

I went for the 1.8D, works a treat. Little surprised at how plasticy it is compared to my other lenses but then it was a fraction of the price.

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I realize you already bought your "nifty fifty," but I wanted to offer a nice alternative recommendation for the benefit of the discussion, if one doesn't like the "plasticy" construction of the Nikon 50mm.

I recently bought the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4, and I absolutely LOVE that little lens. Yes, it is manual focus, but it produces excellent image quality, is beautifully made, offers f/1.4 max, has all-metal construction, is aesthetically attractive looking, and the focus ring is as butter smooth as Zeiss lenses. In fact, this lens is made by Cosina-Japan, the same manufacturer that builds the Zeiss DSLR lenses. It has a "classic," timeless feel, much like the classic Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens, and it has equally nice, precision build quality to that lens. Yet, it's about $250 less expensive. Still, it is $200 more expensive than the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 and 1.8 lenses, but it makes up for its lack of AF by larger max aperture and much nicer construction quality. Despite its higher price, it's still an excellent bargain for what you get. According to user reports and various tests, it also produces a bit better IQ than the plastic Nikon 50's.