50mm1.4 or 1.8?

[moomike]

I am saving at the moment to fund an upgrade to the 100-400L (cmon Matt (Darksaber), I expected a "buy, buy, buy" reply on the 100-400 before I'd even finished typing this sentence ) but due to unforseen circumstances I have fallen a little short with the funds for this.
My question is whether or not to sell my 50 f/1.4 and buy the 1.8 version instead to get the extra money together - will I really notice a massive amount of difference between the two? All I hear are vast amounts of praise for each of these lenses & I am very happy with the 1.4 but am wondering if the differences are all that obvious as I've not had chance to use the 1.8.
Cheers in advance for any advice,
Mike.

Edit: In case anyone wants to help me with my funding for this lens, I am selling my Cokin filters - will be putting them in the Classifieds soon (normal sized btw) along with some old film stuff if I can dig it out.

 

[Marcel]

I may be interested in the Cokin (if theyre P sized) I'll keep an eye out for your classifieds thread.

As for the nifty. If funds are an issue I would personally. The 1.8 bang for buck is a no brainer.
However, you're in a unique position in that you're unsure whether or not to downgrade.

Personally, if you have the funds to do it, I suggest you buy the 1.8, give it a little run, and if it's satisfactory to you over the 1.4, *then* get rid of the 1.4. If you find it isn't up to scratch, sell the 1.8. They do hold their value quite well.

 

[Warspite]

Personally, if you have the funds to do it, I suggest you buy the 1.8, give it a little run, and if it's satisfactory to you over the 1.4, *then* get rid of the 1.4. If you find it isn't up to scratch, sell the 1.8. They do hold their value quite well.

Agree entirely, its a subjective issue in that only you know if the 1.4 is a necessity or a luxury at the moment. Going from a 1.4 to a 1.8 in order to help get the 100-400 would seem like a small effort to most people, however if you do alot of low light, or portrait shots you may disagree.

 

[Matt Charlton]

how much do you want for your nifty fifty?

 

[Marcel]

No trading outside the classifieds please old bean

Just a thought moomike, are you coming to Chester Zoo on the 30th?
If so, I can let you have a play with my 1.8 if you like. Not much, I know, but it may be worth a try

 

[moomike]

Cheers for the replies guys,
I am most definately going to be there on the 30th (its my only day off in about a year )
Cheers also for the offer Marcel, I shall see what happens with the funding & let you know .
I should hopefully be able to put my items for sale in the classifieds in a short while, Marcel - I shall PM you once its up so you can have 1st refusal as you asked here (not sure if they're "P" sized though, shall have to read up)
Matt, I'll let you know on the 50 once I've decided what to do (1st refusal for you too as I already owe you one )

 

[Matt Charlton]

No trading outside the classifieds please old bean

Sorry

It was a rhetorical question, if he'd come back with a price he'd of course have made a posting in the classifieds board and we would have moved that particular part of the conversation there.

Consider my hand slapped, won't happen again

 

[Hoodi]

How often do you shoot at F/1.4?
The F/1.4 is probably a bit sharper at low apertures than the F/1.8 - but both are so sharp that shouldn't be a major issue.

Only other things I can think of are build quality (how do you treat your gear? Is inferior build going to bother you?) and AF type // speed - doesn't the F/1.4 have USM? Will the lack of that bother you in the F/1.8? The F/1.8 will probably hunt a bit more in low light...

 

[dod]

Depends on how much you use it to be honest. If it's "hardly ever" I'd just sell it and not bother with the F1.8. If it's used all the time it's an option to consider but most people say the F1.4 is significantly better in terms of build, bokeh and IQ so you might end up disappointed.

 

[busterboy]

Well once again going against the grain I would either keep it or sell it and replace it with the same when funds permit.

How many people upgrade to the f/1.4 from the f/1.8, Lots and lots but I don't see anyone downgrading the other way.

That is my opinion mate, Its your money and your lens..

 

[moomike]

Cheers for the responses guys, think I'm going to go with busterboy on this occasion & after careful thought, am going to try to keep hold of my lens. If it is a win or lose situation where I miss out on getting the 100-400 due to not selling the 50, I shall think about it more carefully, but until then I shall try to hang on for dear life.
Cheers again everyone for the advice,
Mike.