I find this lens to be glacially slow at focusing. My 50mm F.1.4D was much snappier on focus but is not as nice, optically. I may sell the Nikkor G to buy a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM. My Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM is outstanding on DX!

$600? It's cheaper at J and R.

http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_AFS50MM1_dot_4/

$489.

I got the impression that the distortion was worse, but that it is sharper wide open. That doesn't mean that it is optically worse than the old 1.4 D, just different.

Willis,
thanks for the info, although I was asking for the direct comparison between the AF and AF-S, as I do have the Nikkor 50/1.4 AF, and was wondering is it worth it to replace it with the new one, as the old one is sooooo slow and noisy. The two things I really hate about this lens. OTOH, I love the bokeh and the ability to handhold it during night shots.

With all the crazy premiums that you overseas folks are charged, it seems like vacationing Americans could buy a camera body before they depart, use the camera for the entire trip, and then sell it before you leave for a small profit.

The $600 price definitely seems high. Even if he was talking about CAD not USD, the price would be the same as we get here in Estonia, which is usually 50% more than you guys have to pay in the USA (too many greedy links between the producer and end-user). If it was USD then the price is quite outrageous :)))

Adamz,

I've got the regular (Non G) 50mm 1.4. Its a great lens and sharp. I've not used the new version, but the most obvious reason to upgrade is for the better autofocus (AFS, which works on the D40 \ D60). Getting good manual focus at f1.4 is very difficult because of the shallow depth of field. If you do have AF, its going to be slow (it sounds like that hasn't changed) and noisy with the old version.

Optically, most opinions I have read say that the new lens is the same or ever so slightly worse (hard to correct distortion). I don't plan to upgrade.

totally agreed!

I cringed a little when I paid $394, but as long as it was "under $400 USD" I was fine with the purchase. . .at $600, you're playing the supply and demand game with Nikon. . .buy a 50mm 1.8 and wait it out if you need a normal prime that badly. . .

Agreed!

Like all Nikon products here in Aus they are all over priced.(Supply and demand!)

It is worth nowhere near $600. Worth more in the $360 range.

I paid $585 here in Australia before the price rise and now the RRP is $799 at the time the 50mm 1.4d was $465 (Worth the extra $$ for me).

The focus is slow but this is in my opinion still a good lens.

ya ... mine was around $560 + tax as well (Ontario).

Does some of You used the regular AF 50/1.4 - if so, what are the pros/cons of upgrading it to the new AF-S.

Wow, I didn't expect it to be that slow. I thought the AF-S would be good on it. Old 50mm for me then.

The price in Canada is $569. Add 13% tax on top of that.

$600????

Why in god's name did you pay $600 for i
I agree, the focus isn't lightning fast, but I haven't tried the 50 1.8 or old 50 1.4. . .

compared to my 35 1.8, the 50 1.4 is slower. . .not sure what it is, but at least it's accurate as all hell. . .btw, I paid $394 for my 50 1.4, so if you can, try to return it and re-purchase when all the hype comes down. . .or ebay. . .

Same question.........
i feel abit slower on this lens.
But the AF is accurate and the built up is good.
I started to like this lens...........It will always mount in my D700

Yup. I have had mine around a month now.

I had the 1.8 lens before it (sold it to upgrade). Not worth the $ in my opinion. The 1.8 is $150 so I would expect the new 1.4 to be around $400. Over priced. Anyways ... I have found the autofocus to be around the same speed as my old 1.8. As far as autofocus speed of it against my other lenses (18-200/VR; 17-55/2.8; 70-200/2.8), yes, it is the slowest of them all. Again ... for the $ premium I had expected autofocus to be much faster.

Just picked up this lens a few weeks ago for almost $600. It's great but very slow focus compared to other lenses I have. Even the 50 1.8 non-S lens focuses more quickly. Has anyone else found this? I'm using it on a D700.