Lens help?

[DjShift]

This is my first post and i'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this but i'm a car photographer and i need a new lens for my D3200. I need it to have a long and a short side so i can take closeups in parking lots but still zoom far on the streets. I need it to be an AF-S so i can have autofocus and i need vibration reduction for the days without a tripod.
Now here's the catch; i need it to cost less than $600.

All help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[tirediron]

About the only lens that comes to mind that fits all those requirements is a used 18-200, however it's IQ, especially at the extreme ends of the range isn't really stellar.

 

[DjShift]

This one?
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II DX ED AF-S Nikkor-Zoom Lens - Factory Refurbished includes Full 1 Year Warranty - Cameras & Camcorders - Camera & Camcorder Accessories - Camera Filters & Lenses

 

[KmH]

Yes, that one.

​Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX review: Digital Photography Review

Conclusion - Pros
​

• Huge 11.1x focal length range, ideal travel lens
• Decent build quality - much better than Nikon's 18-55mm kit lens
• Very effective vibration reduction system, at least 3 stops benefit
• Excellent fast, silent autofocus with manual override
• High image quality in the normal to short telephoto range, and good at 200mm

Conclusion - Cons
​

• Pronounced distortion across much of the range
• Extremely soft at 135mm
• Rather average close-up performance
• Zoom creep

Normal focal range is 35-55 mm. Short telephoto is 55mm to about 150 mm.
In other words image quality has issues from 18 mm to about 35 mm and from about 150 mm to 200 mm.

IMO, that lens is Nikon's worst lens value.

 

[orb9220]

Best Bang for the monies I consider for the most range and still deliver would be the 18-105vr.

The problem is cramming more means sacrifices in Speed & Image IQ due to optical design considerations.

And really don't understand the need for convenience over Image IQ.
The reason I bought the dslr was it's ability to change lenses.
To pair up the right lens for the right type of shooting.

If I wanted convenience I would have stuck with one of the 20x optical bridge cameras.

But if needing more than 105mm than would add either the 55-200vr or 55-300vr or 70-300vr to cover longer needs.
.