The Nikkor 35/2.8 AI is probably the one that I always put in ,my bag, along with the 105/2.5 and 50/2. As it sits right between the 28 and the 50, I enjoy most of the time shooting with this, instead of the 28/2.8. It allows me to better focus, more precise that is. The 28 has a very narrow focusing throw, and there are times when I do not need so much wide details in my photographs. Of course the 28mm is more than welcome in many situations in the field (not only landscapes), but the 35mm frames so very nicely and perhaps more judiciously .
I never felt the difference between the apertures with this against a Nikkor 35/2 (yes, I had one of those as well). If you ask me, the 35/2 was somehow overrated in my opinion. True, the fastest a lens is, the better you can use it in low light, etc. But really, the 2.8 is doing basically the same thing, and a tad cheaper I may add. I never had a situation where the f2 could’ve save the day and the f2.8 could not. But this is just my opinion.
Just to add that, according to more knowledgeable people out there: this Nikkor K/Ai 35mm 1:2.8 (6 elements, 6 groups) – serials between 773111 and 870xxx is a highly regarded version, is sharp with very low geometric distortion, rendition not quite as smooth as older version though. And I’ll leave at that.
