Interesting. Looking at the distortion figures on photozone, I find:
Nikon 35/1.4G: -1.64% barrel
Samyang 35/1.4: -1.65% barrel
Zeiss 35/2: -1.8% barrel
Nikon 24-70/2.8G at 40mm (closest fl they report): 1.08% pincushion.
Of the set, the Nikon 35/1.4G would be the one I think would work the best. However, I think you're going to struggle to find a sharp lens with excellent contrast characteristics that also has zero distortion on a DSLR, from any brand.
It's interesting that you don't find the 24-70 acceptable, so if I may be allowed to, I'll go off on a tangent about these two lenses. Personally, I use both the 24-70 and 35/1.4G for critical work on my D800E. There are minor differences between the lenses performance, but I deem both professionally sharp on print at least to 17x22" or A2 print size, at least in the range from F/7.1 - F/10, which I try to stay within for landscape shooting if I can. So I can't speak to the lenses performance at other apertures; of course I'd assume the prime would have a greater advantage at, say, F/4, in the corners.
The differences however, mean that one or the other might be the best choice for a particular subject, which I'll try to explain as follows: The two lenses have differing field curvature and different sharpness/frame profiles, and thus, one will suit some tasks slightly better, and vice versa.
The 35/1.4G seems to be designed to provide very even performance across the field, with what I would term a moderately high level of contrast, fairly neutral colors and a slightly more subtle rendering.
The 24-70/2.8 seems to be designed with a slight bias towards central zone sharpness (and by this I mean a fairly wide central zone) with a very slight falling off in the corners, with slightly stronger contrast and a somewhat warmer, more romantic subjective rendering.
I am finding as I continue to shoot/explore with both lenses that the field curvature is different - almost opposite each other - and thus the corner performance totally depends on whether the subject in the deep corners is favored by or hurt by the lenses field curvature. Thus, there have been cases where I've found the zoom to actually have better corners in some cases, although I think in general the prime might have the lead in general. The point is, though, it's not quite as cut and dry as one lens absolutely without question having better corners, and of course, the D800E lays all lens performance differences out there for us to see. The bigger question is how much of these differences are visible in print.
As for the other lenses I've used at 35mm: I can't recommend the 16-35 and 17-35 options: Neither is anywhere as good overall at 35mm, and the 35/2 isn't anything worth writing about either compared to the others. I've had all three and they have long been sold. I honestly don't know if there is going to be one lens that will fit your needs if you don't want to adjust distortion in post. My best guess is the 35/1.4g will be the lens for you given it's so balanced in it's design and from the numbers on photozone, has the least amount of barrel distortion, which I find easier to handle than pincushion. I can't speak about the Zeiss options as I've not yet shot with them on the D800E, and don't have any immediate plans to, given my schedule.
Good luck in your search.
