User ID

Do all those lenses provide really smooth MF action, keeping with the OP’s needs ? AFAIK not one is actually a basic MF lens.

CO

Yes. The lens has a M/A and M setting. It's in autofocus mode when in the M/A position but can be overridden anytime. The focus ring has a smooth spinning action.

CO

Nikon does have the professional level 17-55mm f/2.8 DX lens. It really is a stellar lens with professional build quality. It was released when they were serious about DX cameras. It's too bad that they didn't incorporate VR into the lens.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Do all those lenses provide really smooth MF action, keeping with the OP’s needs ?" Actually User ID the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens is rather well suited for the OP's "...I like to zoom the focus during the exposure to create an interesting effect..." It has an exceptionally short focus throw of only ~30 degrees while Ai Nikkors would simply not be appropriate or germane for achiving a reliable "zoom" effect since typically Nikon endowed them with an exceptional long focus throw... All my Ai lenses have a throw in the neighborhood of 220 to 240 degrees... totally unsuitable for a single smooth zooming effect however they yield "breathtaking precision" for manual focus... My Ai-S also have a healthy focus throw albeit a tad shorter (maybe since they were a transition to Nikon's early attempt at Auto-Shutter Priority rather than their initial Auto Aperture priority)...

However I totally agree with your inference on KEH as a viable vendor/source of used kit...
"as far as I know on MF lenses?" Yep, neither are MF which have a much steeper learning curve... The AF-S has instant override while the Sigma has a side switch on the lens for AF to MF... and the Sigma's focus ring sadly turns in AF mode albeit it's at the far end is very easily avoided...

Bottom Line? To the OP, for a highly reliable and repeatable zoom effect in PS Choose Filter > Blur > Radial Blur. Choose Zoom as the Blur Method. Select Good for quality since Best takes forever and gives you little improvement in quality. Choose your amount to suit. I've used this a lot when I had to do dozens and dozens of graphics working as a web designer...

Hope this helps User ID and bobburk3
All the best on your journeys

User ID

Nikon tends to offer VR in their slower zooms and not in the 2.8 models.

Similarly, I wanted a 24/50/105 VR trio. Compromise forced by Nikon resulted in this trio:
105 VR: Nikon 2.8 macro, Bingo !
50 VR: Tamron 45/1.8, close enuf.
24 VR: Nikon 3.5 kit zoom, no joy.

Getting kinda tired of Nikon :-(

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Manual focus.

CO

Nikon has a couple of f/2.8 lenses with VR.
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

I also have the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens. It's an impressive lens.

User ID

And a bargain. Plus, I’ve heard zero complaints about them ... but OTOH possibly you and I are the only users.

Dropped from $600 to 400 pretty fast. Hardly ever encounter them. I suspect they made only the initial run, nobody bought at 600, they drop it to 400 and nobody bought except you and me. I bought two, EF and NF.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I know your getting a lot of responses but I had a nikkor 18-200 on my 7200 and got excellent results.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

nikon 18-200 mm af-s dx vr lens. You can get one off ebay used for a song. Make sure you get version II of this lens.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311&_nkw=nikon+18-200+mm+af-s+dx+vr+lens&_sacat=0

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

Thanks for your input. I typed that wrong. I actually do use the focal length ring to zoom.

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

Thank you. I will take another look at Sigma. I want a zoom lens since I use it for general landscape, and general family activities.

bobburk3 Loc: Maryland

If MF means manual focus, the lens is pretty much useless in manual focus mode. Because it is so jerky, I can't fine tune the focus in manual.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

“Advice for a replacement lens”?
How about:

“ Listen up! Do a better job than the lens you are replacing did!”

Direct and to-the-point!
That should get your point across.

Dave

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I loved my 16-85. It was my go to lens throughout our national parks trip.