For a consumer grade lens the AF 35-70mm f3.3-4.5 performs surprisingly well especially when stopped down (as is usual with such lenses). I have the first AF version of this lens and while I do not much like its appearance its performance is pretty good at those apertures. I got it for a "song" to try it out.
But if you want to get a really top performing lens and can afford a few bucks more why not buy the AF 35-70mm f2.8? I have seen pixel peeping comparisons to the later 24-70mm f2.8 AF which showed the lens is very close to its later cousin, in terms of performance. This was THE go-to lens for pros who were willing to use that, admittedly, short zoom range back in the day and it would work well on an F90x given it is pretty much contemporary. D or not D version - it does not matter. It costs more than the f3.3 -4.5 version, admittedly, but these days not that much more in absolute $ terms, so these lenses are well worth it given their superb performance. If I am traveling by air, where baggage allowance is an issue - going on holidays for example - I tend to carry the 35-70mm f2.8 in preference to the 24-70mm f2.8 which is a back breaker to carry. I have never regretted it in terms of the images it provides though it less flexible at the zoom end (I am happy to carry a 24mm AI prime to sort that out).
I can personally vouch for the Nikkor AF 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 as well. It was the lens I used extensively on my f801s when I shot film regularly. It is a greatly under-rated lens (and probably always was) but its only real negative in my view (apart from its slowish aperture) is that it is notorious for having a tendency to flare quite badly in adverse light, so I would advise the use of a lens hood at least to help minimize this - though still expect it to happen in some adverse lighting. It is a lens that in my view has few other flaws than the flare issue, it being quite sharp at most apertures. I would suggest buying the second AF version (there was no third "D"" version). PS some barrel distortion at wider settings but what apart from highly expensive pro lenses do not have this. It is usually not an issue.
By all means get a 50mm f2 AI. I cannot speak highly enough of any of the versions of this lens made by Nikon. I also have the old pre AI one (now converted using a factory made ring) and love its rendering. My personal view is anyone using a zoom also needs to supplement this with at least one standard prime for those instances when something faster (with narrower DOF) is required. Was this lens redesigned in latter years? It was redesigned back in the mid 1960's from 7/5 to 6/4 configuration) when the H version was introduced (the version I own) but I but I believe was not updated again at a later date except for coating changes . Others may know for certain but if in any event it approaches the rendering of its older sibling it's worth having.
EDIT: Another lens I like and use even now is the Nikkor AF 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 D. First thing to be aware of is if you buy this lens you must get the D version which was redesigned optically and is acknowledged as being far and away the best AF version by Nikon in this specific range. It is widely rumored amongst pro reviewers (i.e. not the rabble like me
🙂 )to have an aspherical element - if so, almost certainly a molded composite (though Nikon never traded in this selling point) and as a result it is very small for this class of lens - not much bigger than your 35-70mm existing zoom. The earlier versions had 16 elements in 12 groups but this one had 13 elements in 10 groups which possibly supports the aspherical "theory" as new aspherics technology in zooms can be used to reduce manufacturing complexity, cost and ultimately lens weight rather than adding significantly to image quality per se.
It is usually a bargain to buy as it is a kind of sleeper which was not long lasting as the market moved in a different direction not long after its release.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35-105mm-afd.htm
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/AFNikkor/AF35105mm/index2.htm
