50mm 1.4 vs 85mm 1.8 or a new flash???

Madmod

I am looking for some more input. I have read every friggin' reveiw that there is and well I am still not sure I want. I just want to make the right choice the first time.
I am looking for something that has good bokeh and is tack sharp. I will be using the lens for portraits. I already have the 50mm 1.8 in the bag. The question I have is should I stick with the 50mm 1.8 and buy a new flash or should I buy the 50mm 1.4?/85mm 1.8? Is the 50mm 1.4 a waste since I have the 1.8?
I looked at the 85mm 1.8 and the reveiws showed me that the bokeh was not "good" bokeh. Since I have the 50 1.8 I took a look at the 85 mm but I was let down with the reveiws. What are your experiances with this glass?
I also have the SB-600 and would be upgrading to the 800/900 if I did not by any glass. Sorry so long but like stated earlier I would I want to make the right choice the first time.

Thanks!!!:clap

ziggy53

The Nikkor 50mm, f1.8 AF-D is a pretty good lens so the f1.4 would not yield tremendous improvement. Yes, the 1.4 has better bokeh and the slightly larger aperture, but it's still not that big a difference.

You don't list your camera(s) in your signature nor mention in your post, nor do you mention how an additional flash would be helpful, but I am a big believer in lighting. If you don't have a body with a built-in "Commander" capability, then I do recommend an SB-800 or SB-900 just so that you can wirelessly control your SB-600. That opens up a number of additional capabilities to you.

Madmod

Whoops sorry! I have a D90, so the comander is in the body. I would use the flash as a better comander for the 600 or as a second speedlight for additional lighting. More than likely through an umbrella on location.

Qarik

save up for the 85mm 1.4 "The cream machine". It's an end game piece of glass. Buy it once and buy it right.

Madmod

I wish I could afford the 85 1.4 but with a baby on the way, if I spent 1 grand my wife would go in to early labor

angevin1

Madmod wrote: »

I am looking for some more input. I have read every friggin' reveiw that there is and well I am still not sure I want. I just want to make the right choice the first time.
I am looking for something that has good bokeh and is tack sharp. I will be using the lens for portraits. I already have the 50mm 1.8 in the bag. The question I have is should I stick with the 50mm 1.8 and buy a new flash or should I buy the 50mm 1.4?/85mm 1.8? Is the 50mm 1.4 a waste since I have the 1.8?
I looked at the 85mm 1.8 and the reveiws showed me that the bokeh was not "good" bokeh. Since I have the 50 1.8 I took a look at the 85 mm but I was let down with the reveiws. What are your experiances with this glass?
I also have the SB-600 and would be upgrading to the 800/900 if I did not by any glass. Sorry so long but like stated earlier I would I want to make the right choice the first time.

Thanks!!!

I admit, nice bokeh is cool...but I never really think about that when I want a certain piece of glass..mostly because I do not plan on shooting bokeh as the prime subject of my portraiture. You also mention flash too..and a choice dilemma between glass or flash. Sounds like what you really need to do is a better assessment of what exactly is missing in your present line up.

I would think that 50mm you have would work well for portraits on the D90. And an SB600 is a fine light for portrait work too.

So what are you missing? GO with what you feel is missing.

Madmod

angevin1 wrote: »

So what are you missing? GO with what you feel is missing.

Someone on another website made a point that most of the time your everyday person who is not that in to photography will never notice the defferance between good and bad bokeh. I feel like I am missing a good 2.8 zoom but most are out of my price range for now.

I guess I am going to end up with the SB-900. Which I think will do me some good. I mean lets face it you can never have enough lighting equipment right?

Thanks again for all of your help and time.

bsomedic

I have the Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX. Excellent lens but very very difficult to nail focus at 1.4 or 1.8. However, when using off camera flash @ f5-f8 all I can say is WOW! If you are buying this to use just for the 1.4 do not waste your time. Buy lighting gear IMO. I used flickr groups to make my decision on this lens purchase. In retrospect I may have just bought a more flexible lens. Maybe I get 10% keepers out of the thousands of pictures that I have taken. BTW I am also shooting using the D90.