Surprisingly, this $1,700 (street) lens is Nikon's first constant-aperture optic in the very popular, all-purpose, standard zoom category. Both of the company's previous pro and amateur 24-85mm lenses had variable apertures. If the gold ornamentation on its barrel doesn't tip you off, the price should confirm that this is a professional-caliber lens.
Outfitted with Nikon's latest generation of optical artillery, including extra-low-dispersion and precision-molded aspheric elements, it promises better control of chromatic aberration and linear distortion, especially at wider apertures and focal lengths. (One big benefit for landscape and architecture photographers: horizon lines that are edge-to-edge sharp and only minimally curved.) Read the whole review here. You can buy the lens here