Yes, the mighty 8/2.8 still delivers. I have a very early non-AI myself and it is now AI-modified using the factory kit, plus CPU-modified.
Just don't drop it as the metal of the lens casing although very hard is prone to being deformed along the front perimeter and is well-nigh impossible to bring back to shape later.
Another points are the ease with which you capture your own feet
and the observation that depth of field, albeit large, is not infinite if the lens is focused close.