Advice Needed re. Nifty Fifty vs. EF 50 1.4

I broke my nifty fifty's front element housing and sent it in to Canon. They informed me that it will be $40 to repair and $8 return shipping for a total of $48 for a lens that only cost me $76. So for only $28 more I could have a new one.

My question is this:

Should I spring for the repair, spend the extra $28 and get a brand-spankin' new nifty or get a 50 1.4 for $322 less the new $20/$40 rebates.

Me,I would opt for the 1.4.

I've had both. Although the nifty fifty is very sharp, I feel that getting the 1.4 version is well worth the cost. I bought mine about 1 year ago and it was really worth it.

gooble,
If bokeh & build quality are important to you then the 50mm f/1.4 should be your choice.

I had the 50 f/1.8 for a couple of weeks. Hated the bokeh, even though what was in focus was failry sharp. Gave it away and bought the f/1.4. So, so much nicer.

well how long hav eyou had the lens- can you afford to replace the 1.8 that often???
The 1.4 has solid build quality to it- and while some have been complaining about its performance wide open of late i have no problems with it, but be warned just because a lens is 1.4 does not mean you can use it at 1.4 all the time, o yes and it doesnt mean you can take pictures in the dark either lol

You know you could go for the 1.4 and sell the broken 1.8 for spares, some money is better than no money!

Yes, get the 50/1.4 if you can afford it. My 1.8 was almost unuseable at 1.8 it was so soft.

My 1.4 is soft at f1.4 too, but far from unusable. I'd say spend the extra and go for 1.4. Build quality alone is worth it IMO.