For all the DSLR guys....
 

Okay so I'm looking at getting a new lens for my b-day.

I know I probably want a 50mm as I already have the stock 18-55, a 55-200, and then a 70-300.

Which one is better to go with? It'll mostly be used for the car (of course), but I'd also like to use it to do actual photography (senior pictures, family photo, weddings, etc.).

Trying to see if I can start making some side cash with this. Since I do it for free all the time.

50mm f/1.8D Nikkor
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nik.../dp/B00005LEN4

or

50mm f/1.4D Nikkor
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nik.../dp/B00005LENO

The thing that worries me is no VR...

Thanks in advance guys.

if the nikon pieces are like the canon pieces the f1.4 is going to be a nicer piece. I have the canon f1.8 on mine and love it, it is an awesome lens and unbeatable in my opinion for the money.

50 mm? Fuck VR. In my view VR is wasted on anything under 70mm. lol

What is your body? Neither of those will focus on d40//d40x/d60/d3000/d5000

I have the 50mm 1.8, in my d90 it focuses nice and fast. It is afar better than it has any right to be at that price point, 1.8 looks great, step up to 5.6 and the images are so sharp they can cut your screen.

if you are on a crop sensor you may find that the 50mm is a bit more reach than you may need, I also have the 35mm 1.8 AFS and that is a sweet little lens, fast, quiet, sharp, and worth every penny.

ive never used the 50m 1.4, im sure it is a great lens, reviews seem to say that its performance is only SLIGHTLY better than the 50mm 1.8

my rec, if you can afford the 50mm 1.4 for $325?

get the 50mm 1.8, plus the 35mm 1.8 AF-S. both for $325 Those are my two favorite primes.

on a side note about VR and a 1.8 lens, on a nice day, ISO 200, 1.8 aperature gives me a shutter speed of nearly 1/4000th of a second. indoors low light on iso 800 i still get 1/320 second shutter speed.

on those little gems VR wont do anything for ya.

VR helps a lot when shooting 1080p vids at 30fps :D

you have a point, it is useful with video...

That's what I'm shooting for. It'll be a D90 body, but my junky D50 for now.

I was leaning towards the 50mm 1.8 simply because of the cost. I'm wanting to start trying to branch out my photography a lot so I think getting the 50mm and the 35mm would be best.

Thanks guys. I can always trust you guys to push me over the fence lol.

Well, if you want a DSLR to do videos, go with Canon. We've got much better video capabilities ;)

D90 video is cool but needs refinement. also, the 50 1.8 and 35 1.8 arent really ideal for video. check the 18-55 VR kit lens, that will do much better for video.

Lol. It'll be a while until I get a D90 anyways. The one lens will probably be all I get for now. Like I said I'm trying to start this as a side-money job to help ease the bills, so I have to make money before I can spend it.

I wish I knew more about cameras. I will get a nice one soon and I will for sure pick all of your brains about it.