Nikon's early wide prime — the manual-focus Nikkor-N Auto 24mm f/2.8 for the F mount.
The Nikkor-N Auto 24mm f/2.8 is a wide-angle prime for the Nikon F system, introduced in the late 1960s. The N code marks its element count, and it was among Nikon's earlier retrofocus 24mm designs that gave a broad but manageable wide field while clearing the SLR mirror. It became a staple wide for reportage, travel and landscape work.
This is a manual-focus Nikon F lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a fixed 24mm focal length, with an automatic diaphragm for full-aperture viewing. It is a rectilinear retrofocus design that operates with normal reflex viewing. Only verified figures are stated; element counts, filter thread and weight are omitted rather than guessed.
The rendering gives a natural wide field with the strong perspective that suits foreground-heavy compositions, and reasonable control of distortion for the era. It works well for landscapes, interiors, travel and environmental portraits, with an f/2.8 aperture that is usable handheld in modest light. Later Nikon 24mm designs share this focal but this is the early Nikkor-N ancestor.
On the used market the Nikkor-N 24mm is a well-regarded vintage wide, common enough to be affordable while still collectible. Check the elements for haze and fungus, inspect coatings for scratches, confirm the automatic diaphragm closes cleanly, and feel the focus for smooth even damping. It adapts readily to mirrorless bodies and remains a practical manual wide-angle.