Then you should really check your lens whether got any back/front focus issue.
Put on tripod and focus on a ruler or some focus chart, or you can even line up AA batteries just for simple testing (at f/1.4 close focus you will notice it immediately and easily, even direct focus on something).
Focus on the subject, take a shot, then turn on LiveView mode and focus and take a shot - compare both shots at higher magnification.

It's cheap, but do check nicely.
YL selling second hand > RM2K

They also interested in macro, but not insect only ma

Which is why it's much more worth to get a used one, around 3K or slightly more. Buying a new one, you will loose a lot when you sell, but then buying a used one, there is always risk involved.
Besides getting used and then re-sell, you don't actually loose much especially if you managed to find a very good price unit...

Children running around, using f/1.4 and assuming you're getting the 50mm, in most situation, you're most likely getting most of your shots out of focus.

Shooting children running around, you might want to go wider. Your kit lens still can work, use widest setting at 18mm which should give you f/3.5, depending on lighting, you can try shutter speed of 1/125 or 1/160 and adjust the ISO accordingly (or use Shutter Priority). Don't worry about the noise, the image file you won't be viewing 100%, try resize it smaller to like 8MP or smaller, you might feel better because if you view at 100%, it will be much much better than 16MP or higher.

Anyway, there's many technique to shoot kids playing or running around, you might not want to take a static shot, you might want to pan if they're running, this way, you can adjust the shutter speed slower like 1/80 or even 1/60, set the focus to continuous or 3D tracking and follow your subject while releasing the shutter (set to continuous mode).

Get an External Flash and bounce the light, you can freeze the motion and nice image without direct flash effect. Try and experiment with flash bounce from the wall, it's most probably change your mind and want to get the external flash.
Plus, with the flash, there's many things you can do, you can play with rear curtain and use very slow shutter speed, at small aperture, with ISO100 indoor and create nice trail effects while your subject (the kid) is tack sharp and noise free, while there's nice effects/trail surrounding it. With this settings, you can even take great amazing effect picture in dark lit room, like dark Karaoke Room or Night Clubs and at the same time, giving the similar "feel".

You know Sylvans too?
The photo looked kind of "harsh"? A bit unnatural, maybe a bit HDR-ish. Too much contrast/clarify/blacks? Or did you use recovery slider?
Just my 2 cents (or can say based on preference also). Some people prefer this way tough, makes the photo more dramatic or pops.

This post has been edited by Andy214: Sep 11 2014, 08:24 PM

Very long never see him already, hehe, last time he's driving the 206 and he's one of the early owner/member.

Been busy lately haha.

I'm from Klang only, no so far, haha. Yup, been quite secretive what he want to change at first, it seems like he was not planning to get a Pug, then, deng deng deng, a 308! Thought he would go for Bimmer or the Mini at first.

10 seconds very long unless you're shooting longer exposure (slow shutter)?
The LCD will blackout because of the shutter opens (exposure)