Well here's my Opinion; longtime Nikon news shooter in the F3 era and 100's of weddings with F3 and F4, and after I got an F2 the F's started flying at me once people found out I liked the old stuff. SO my F 'experience' was 'going back' from using the 'improvements' brought about from successive models. I found the F to very enjoyable as a slower use film camera, since if speed was my need I could go choose an F3,4 or F5. Slower in the more thoughtfully contemplative, and that influenced my choice of lenses for the F, (for me). As well, my character enjoys the matching of 'period correct' and that means mostly at least a "k' series or earlier version, and since the F is already a hefty chunk of metal I tend to use a lighter choice.
Probably my top choice and one lens that lives on a F that hangs near the door or in a cabinet nearby is the K series 35mm f/2.8 (the 'thick' element version); light, sharp, reasonably fast and lovely character either wide open or nicely stopped down (a great sky/cloud lens with a yellow filter).
You have my next choice, the Nikkor-H 50mm f/2. I prefer the H.C version with the improved Nikon multicoating but I very much like the look of the H in black and white, in color it seems too cool for my tastes.
One lens that has been mentioned and I think needs to be explained as to why is the Nikkor N.C 24mm f/2.8. First, this was and is a fantastic lens, a truly Great Wide Angle that was the first of it's type, a close focussing reasonably fast high performance wide angle lens with the CRC that would be copied and referenced by Nikon and others for this type of lens. After the switch to Ai the optical formula stayed the same all the way into the AF mount, but the N and N.C versions are slightly different, your own personal tastes may vary and you may not see, care or appreciate the differences but they are there. I very much like how the earlier version shoots into strong backlight, and the improved coatings imo work well to enhance the look and character of a backlit shot. I was lucky and found a K version in box with a factory Ai ring installed, there were a few crossovers at that time, and for how good this lens still is they can be found for very little money. The N and N.C have the lovely scalloped focussing ring and a superior build that can be serviced easily. In my strong opinion with how inexpensive this lens is for such high quality, this should be more highly considered over other Nikkor wide angles (of this era). Is the 28 AiS "better"? Yes, in some ways. The 28mm f2.8 Ai-S has a closer focussing and it is as sharp (perhaps sharper) but the build quality is more consumer with stamped internal parts and only single elements (no cemented groups). I believe you will pay more for the 28 than a 24mm N but I think the 24 is a better lens and better value.
The last (maybe for tonight) lens I think you should consider over the 200mm f/4 is the 180mm f/2.8 Ai or P or P.C. Again, a huge performance to cost value, this version of 180mm (Pre-ED glass) is a real gem. Solid build and although heavier than a 200mm f4 the full stop you gain as well as a better optic (at distance and at closer 'portrait' distances) means to me that you'll enjoy viewing the images you make with this lens more than with the 200/4. Everyone raves about the ED version and so do I it is a legend in the mid-length tele range but the Pre-ED lens has a compelling character. Wide open and close in it has a lovely look without being too obnoxious in the 'fuzzy' areas and at common indoor sports and stage distances it is wonderfully crisp and that also applies when stopped down to f/8-11 for landscape type photos. I recommend using a Nikon screw-in hood (HN-20 from the 85mm f/1.4 or a non-branded copy) to protect the front element, the built in hood has a tendency to collapse and that is an easy way to pick up front element nicks and scratches so beware when shopping.This version differs in that the TC-14(b) can and does fit, which is handy to pick up a bit of length (an 'almost' 300mm f/4) and the results are quite good. This was actually a complaint of the 'improvement' Nikon made with the ED version; which DOES NOT fit the TC-14(b) and instead requires the TC-14A; many pro's had the TC-14 to go with the fast ED-IF lenses of the day and not being able to use the same one on the 180 irked and annoyed a few.
My opinion for the evening. The fun with older Nikon's is finding and shooting the lenses so you may form your own opinion, and you'll have wonderful photos to enjoy while shooting your F.
