I was fortunate to have bought early in the recession when B&H was reducing the prices and months later Nikon dramatically raised the prices so I was able to achieve a small windfall profit.

I now have the following and I am quite happy considering how I use them:
Nikon AF-S DX 35mm
Nikon AF-S FX 50mm
Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm (My favorite)
Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm VR
Nikon AF-S FX 24-120mm VR (I just bought a new one cheap for $260.00)
Nikon AF-S FX 70-300mm VR

All of these still cost me about $3,000.00, but I do have an assortment of lenses for most all situations to go with my D300. This has made me much more comfortable with my investment. Not to mention the weight problem of the higher end lenses. My wife has a D60 and she can use one when she ever decides to take her lens off of her camera.

So to each his or her own and happy shooting!

I wrote something and it didn't post because of a network error. Grrr.
Basically, I think you were right to sell your high-end gear, Henry. If you're not in a situation where getting a job depends on top performance of your equipment (and I don't even think all pros are necessarily in that situation), you don't need the best equipment.
But, having said that, I have to admit that for me even in your situation there would be no going back. Downgrading equipment would be like the death of a favorite pet (I'm weird like that), so for me it's an expensive ratchet effect—there's only one way to go, and it's not in the direction of less expensive equipment. :-(

PB PM said:
There are always two ways of getting what you want. I learned that hard way. At first I bought a bunch of cheap stuff, but now I am slowly collecting better stuff. I've found it better to buy what you need to get the photos you want to take, because getting a bunch of cheap lenses and finding out they wont to do the job will cost the same in the end.

The term "cheap" can be defined by many people in many different ways and a lot has to do with what you want out of your camera and lenses.

The lesser priced Nikon entry level lenses with the plastic mount are fine for most people that want an SLR and more flexibility, but are not serious amateurs and certainly not semi-pros or pros. Most of these people probably use their camera for vacations, family gatherings and just for fun. I am sure that most of them are very happy with there selection. Most of these lenses are priced less than $300.00 or so.

The moderate priced Nikon middle of range lenses such as the AF-S DX; 10-24mm, 16-85mm, 18-200mm, etc. lenses are for the more serious photographer such as serious amateurs and probably some semi-pros or maybe even a pro. I do not know for sure. Most of these lenses are priced less than $900.00 or so.

The higher priced Nikon high in range lenses such as the AF-S 14-24mm, AF-S 24-70mm, 70-200mm, etc lenses are for the more serious amateur’s semi-pros and definitely pros. Most all of these lenses are priced well over the $1,500.00 range. These types of lenses at least for me would be a major investment and would require that they make money for me during the week rather than waiting for me to come home to play with.

I use to have the higher priced Nikon high in range lenses and determined that for me this was just too much of an investment for someone who did not use camera equipment for a living. I have sold all of this type of equipment, made a little profit at the time based on buying low and selling high as a result of the recent price increases. I have since purchased several of moderate priced lenses and have been able to cover a very broad range being able to purchase a few more lenses with less money. For what I use them for, vacations, family gatherings, interior architectural photos for our Architectural firms brochures, etc. is perfect for me. I had brought my previously owned higher priced lenses to New York City on vacation and was actually nervous about walking around with them. I remember that several people commented to me about how nice my equipment was and that it must be very expensive. Last summer I was back in New York City with my D300 a 18-200mm, a 35mm and a 50mm and no one said anything and I was a lot more comfortable.

So I do not think it is a matter of "cheap" but more of knowing what you want to do, knowing what you need and most importantly knowing what you can afford.

next is the 35mm 1.4 AF-S VR?
http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2009-12-10#more

try to find the old optical diagram of the old 24mm f/1.4. It would prob be close to that

There are always two ways of getting what you want. I learned that hard way. At first I bought a bunch of cheap stuff, but now I am slowly collecting better stuff. I've found it better to buy what you need to get the photos you want to take, because getting a bunch of cheap lenses and finding out they wont to do the job will cost the same in the end.

I am not a pro, just an amateur and I try and keep my lens purchases to less than $1,000.00 each and I do not purchase any of the Nikon lenses that have the plastic mount. I have 6 lenses now and even with this price limitation my lenses add up to over $3,000.00 plus body, flash, filters, bags and other accessories it becomes a bit for a hobby. At least that is what my wife keeps telling me.

F1.4 lenses are aimed at pro photographers, and advanced amateurs, both groups that will gladly pay through their teeth for the performance of such a lens. I just based my price on the 85mm F1.4D and the 24mm F1.4D.

Ouch!!!

I would not be surprised one bit to see a price around $1200.

I too would love to have this lens, but at what price? That is my big concern. I boutht the AF-S 50mm lens when it came out for $519.95 which is not bad, but AF-S 24mm F/1.4 what will this cost?

Anything more than $650.00 or so will leave me out. Me think I will not be buying this.

I'm not sure the patent diagram is indicative of the actual final size, but I guess we'll see.

It will sell well if it is a good lens.

Wow! Thats huge I agree. I guess you it had to be with all those elements in it at 1.4mm. This lens should sell well as its such a useful focal length.

A revision. Had the scale a little off. Nikon's dimensions are from the flange. Also added the existing 24 f2.8 so you can see how much bigger this will be.

That's massive!

I was expecting something small.

While we're waiting for this lens, I thought I'd compare the patent drawings to the current 14mm 2.8 to get an idea of it's size. They're approximately to scale.