When I wanted to see if photographing architecture with shift lenses was for me, I started out with a relatively cheap solution. I bought a D700 and a Nikon 28PC second hand for the price of an off brand normal range zoom. I decided it was an interesting way to photograph architecture and the compositional advantages over "doing it in post" were enormous. Framing the final picture in the viewfinder helps with the compositional aspects to an unimaginable degree.
I was using M43 at the time and the D700 helped me understand the advantages of the larger sensor. I soon upgraded to a D850 and Z7. The D850 is much nicer to use for tripod work, being more button driven. I also added some more shift lenses including the old Nikon 35PC. This post is about these two old lenses.
The internet is a sewer of misinformation, and it is often implied that film era lenses are just for "vintage" LoFi photography, with strange defects (the Holga mentality). Both the Nikon 28PC and Nikon 35mm PC were expensive professional lenses in the analogue world, even if they look deceptively simple.
I have not seen any big reviews of these lenses, just a lot of Forum comments and the occasional short review. Expect to pay between €200 and €350 for these lenses second hand. If you want one, go for the last version which had a black screw to raise and lower the lens. The silver knob versions are earlier less effective optical formulations. Ebay can be your friend here. I replaced my first beat up 28PC with a mint one with the rare lens hood for €350. Like the mythical D700 with its lovely colour palet, these lenses can be sold on for little loss if you do not get along with them.
I use these two lenses with my more modern 15mm Laowa Zero D shift, Nikon 24PC and Nikon 45PC. The more recent lenses are a bit sharper, but there is not much in it, unless pixel peeping is your thing. The 28 tends to get less use as it is close to the 24PC, which is my most used lens. But put on a Z7 with FTZ it becomes a nice lightweight walk around combo. The 35 gets a lot of use with exteriors of ancient buildings, as the perspective distortion is contained, making a more pleasing representation.
Optically both lenses are sharp, do not distort much and have a pleasing smooth rendering. I believe these are still two very valid lenses for serous work. CA's and all the other stuff the test chart guys worry about, are well contained and easily fixed in post. In the field you can make nice sharp pictures with these lenses. They were fine for double spread glossy magazine shots back in the day. Test charts are just one aspect that help us understand a lens. But only using a lens will let us know if it useful to us.
Let's take a look at how they work in the field.
An early shot with the 28mm PC + D700
28mm PC
28mm PC
28mm Hand held with the Z7
35mm PC
35mm PC
35mm PC
If you are interested in Architectural photography, these two lenses are a great place to start.