In article <31d78ce1.7077462@news.unifr.ch>, robert.ribnitz@unifr.ch says...

>I own a Nikon F90, and an F801s, and I wondered which of the following
>I shold get (I dont care about MF)
>- 35mm/2 DC (AF)
> 35mm/2 Ai-S
> 35mm/1.4 Ai-S

I can never resist answering these questions....;-)
- I was not pleased by the 35mm f2 AF that I tried (one sample) - it
was a very good lens, but the MF versions appear to be a bit better
(or, perhaps, another AF sample, which I may try soon....).
- The 35mm non-AI/AI/AIS is a very early design that I have come to
like a lot. I have tried MANY samples, which show some variation,
especially in the early versions, and I would stick with multicoated
samples of this lens to minimize the slight flare that this lens has.
The lens shows considerable illumination roll-off at wide apertures,
but the image is sharp and contrasty over most of the field even
wide open in good samples (late versions show little variation).
- The 35mm f1.4 non-AI/AI/AIS is a remarkably good lens, given its speed.
Images at wide apertures at 20-60 feet or so are excellent to the
corners, though are slightly lower in contrast than those of the MF f2.
Illumination is much more even than the MF f2, so there is more
exposure on the film over much of the frame at wide apertures compared
with the MF f2 at the same apertures (it is faster at a given wide aperture). Two of the several samples I have seen have developed focus mount problems with use. There is a little sample variation in
edge/corner sharpness at wide apertures.
In conclusion, I would skip the AF (unless AF is more important to you
than slightly better optical performance) and choose between the MF
lenses: the f2 for contrast at wide apertures; the f1.4 for evenness
of image performance across the frame at wide apertures, and for maximum speed. Both are easy to focus, with maybe the f2 being a little easier....
(People with zooms who think they need AF to focus a 35mm should try
one of these!) BTW, I am in the process of making the same choice (again!),
and I am leaning toward the AIS 35mm f2 (though I may keep the f1.4, also..)
Hope This Helps