Substantial is a good word for the lens
So yes the balance is indeed very good on a D850 with or without the grip!
Naturally it would be nice if the lens was smaller, but I guess it would make the handeling a little more tricky.
The small AF-D lenses are smaller and more compact, compared to the 28mm 1.4 AF-D I used to have it. The new E version is thicker and longer, but the new version is just in an whole other performance league regarding sharpness and saturation, also there is no haze or glare even at f/1.4
Images are crisp and saturated very APO like - Outstanding!
Out of focus highlights and boneheaded balls are neutral without onion rings or hard edge, soft and round, not much cats eyes look so far.
Some abrasions wide open, blue in front, green behind focus plane, easily dealt with.