I'd find it hard to justify the extra expense on the f1.4 version.
This lens really is a gem. It's one of the sharpest lenses I've used in over 25 years of phtography.
In fact, it's almost too sharp to be used as a portrait lens - it needs a little softening with a filter or photoshop.
However, I find it an excellent lens for recording detail.
I picked mine up for less than 100 quid on ebay...the best value I've ever had on glass.

Probably the best portrait lens for the money. My favorite Nikon! Sharp and light. My have seen lot of use but only few scratches on the plastic barrel...

This is a good, lightweight portrait lens. Its light weight makes it convenient for use when traveling, and the aperture is wide enough to make it useful in low light. Where it suffers compared to the 85mm F1.4 is in bokeh, which tends to be harsh. You also pay for the light weight in plastic construction which will take less punishment than the 85mm. F1.4. Still, it is a good, sharp lens, usable even wide open.

This lense is outstanding for portrait. Of course, "Nikkor 85mm F1.4" is better than this. But, this is cheapper and lighter than that. And the image quality is similar to that. So I recommended this.