That difference in price will almost get you a ticket to HK to buy one! Of course while there, you may be tempted to buy more because *just think of the money you are saving*!

It's the same for anything you buy in Australia, the importers and distributors are run by white collar Mafia & have been ripping us off for years.
They won't go away in a hurry or peacefully because they're running such a lucrative scam.

Best bet is to either buy grey or used.
You can often get these lens from the US or HK at what they really should be priced at here.

nau said:
get D version... same thing and a bit cheaper

Not if you care how it performs at F1.4-F2.0, or you need it to autofocus on a D40, D60, D3000, D5000.

I'm guessing that you haven't spent much time looking at Nikon pricing in Australia. The pricing disparity is similar across the entire range of bodies and lenses.

For the current 50mm 1.4 AF-S Checkout this:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

These guys have a shop in the city:

nikononbroadway.com $737

These guys have a shop in the city:

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

or these guys are in the city:

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

For the current 50mm 1.4 AF-S Checkout this:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

For the current 50mm 1.4 AF-S Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

Previous 50mm 1.4 model - check this out:

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

get D version... same thing and a bit cheaper

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99

http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737

http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99
http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737
http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99
http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737
http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99
http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737
http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

I bought mine from tscamerahouse.com.au located in Westfields Parramatta for $599 prior to February price rise. I knew it was going up heaps - not sure what they sell for today. Checkout these links:

http://camerapro.net.au/product_info.php?products_id=90 $728.99
http://nikononbroadway.com/index_files/NikonLenses.htm $737
http://www.cameras.net.au/ $750
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2196.htm $769

Previous 50mm 1.4 model
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=117 $432

Hey guys;
The 50mm 1.4G lens is selling for US$475 on the B&H website. This converts to about AUD$595 at todays exchange rates.
HOWEVER, all the local shops have it priced in the high 700s to high 800s.

Just wondering whether that's the usual shop jacked-up price giving slack to potential bargaining or is it really to be purchased at those prices here in Australia.

Would it make sense if i walked into a shop that had it selling for the $750s mark and asked for a price of $580?
And anyone live in Sydney know good place to bargain heaps?