I use this lens mainly on a three year old D300 (have also used it on a full frame DSLR). Have had the lens about 5 months and shot more than 2500 images in that time. Like many of the previous reviewers I found the focus a little slow and sometimes not on at all but that was in very poor circumstances -- very low light indoors with fast moving subjects. I have gotten some very pleasing (although unintentional) blur scenes.
The depth of field is extremely restricted at 1.4 although I have not noticed anything other than a very smooth bokeh. At 2.0 and up the focus is clear, crisp, and, if you aren´t trying to stop a 4 yrs old in mid-flight, the autofocus is quick. I have had better luck with increasing the responsiveness of the autofocus by using the center focus option when shooting action. It does not seem to confuse the camera as much.
The lens appears to be built well. No loose rings. I change lenses regularly and have had no issues with mounting and unmounting. For those that like to manually focus, this is a great lens -- I find the camera often does a slightly better job than I do but that is probably my eyesight.
All in all, an excellent lens that is my ´´go to´´ lens. It only comes off the camera when I need the zoom or distance capabilities of my other lenses.

The optics of this lens are fantastic. When used for night photography, stopped down to about f11 and on a tripod the detail it is able to capture is outstanding. The center to edge sharpness is almost identical, even when opened up the edge to center sharpness is still excellent. It is also small so it is easy to carry around either on the camera or in fanny pack. This is a lens I would recommend to anyone who wants the sharpest image they can possibly get.

Great lens! I find I use it more and more for portraits. Makes great photos in available light. Perfect for the times you want to use the available light to set mood or you don´t want to haul light stands and strobes. Absolutely saved me when my flash failed and I was shooting for a client.

Love the lens for all portraits - Fast, Sharp focus, nice bokeh, and reasonable price ( for 1.4 when you are not a pro), makes this a favorite lens

I love this lens! I never go anywhere without it and it´s seldom not attached to my camera. It´s awesome for shooting street and travel photography because you can get up close to an object and make it look like the image is popping off the page. This will be my go-to forever as far as I´m concerned.

I love the beautiful renderings it gives me in color, crispness, and selected area of focus and creamy bokeh. I own the fabulous Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8G, but consider the 50/1.4G my lens of choice all round.

I upgraded this lens from the 50 1.4D. Its autofocus is more accurate and quiet but slower than the D on my d700 bodies. The 50 1.4 D would often miss shots below 2.8 and thats why i upgraded. Image quality is similar to the old mode. I wish that nikon offered a more substantial 50mm like the 85 1.4g and 24mm 1.4 g that I own and are better performing wide open and I like the fidelity and speed of prime lenses. I do recommend this lens as its an excellent lens in low light compared to the other D model 50mm lenses and I wont sell it unless Nikon offers a better alternative. The Canon L version my brother owns is better but costs an arm and a leg. When you do this for money, you want the best.

Super fast lens. Love the bokeh. Ultimate portrait lens for me so far.

I wanted the extra f1.4 so I bought this lens. I must admit, allthough the lens have no major issues, I´m not a 100% happy with it either.

My issues -
1. Lens has a somewhat busy bokeh that doesn´t result in the creamy bokeh´s I expect from a prime lens that twice as expensive as the closest 50mm prime out there.

2. The lens is sharp in the center only at f2.8 or further. At 1.4, the lens is not all that sharp.

3. The AFS on the lens is slow and it often hunts before focussing in on the subject. I prefer to focus manually with this lens.

In the nutshell, this lens allthough a notch above in terms of build quality doesn´t have the optical performance to justify the price.