Nicca 3-f

Nicca 3-F

The Nicca 3-F is a 35mm Leica screw-mount rangefinder camera produced by Nicca Camera Co., Ltd. in Japan from approximately 1956. It belongs to the final generation of Nicca’s Leica-inspired cameras and was designed as a close functional alternative to the Leica IIIf, but at a more accessible price point [1].

The camera uses the Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM or M39, and accepts rangefinder-coupled screw-mount lenses. The original manual states that lenses with Leica screw mount can be mounted on the Nicca camera, and that Nicca interchangeable lenses can also be mounted on Leica-type screw-mount cameras [2]. For LeicaLensList classification, the mount should therefore be listed as LTM.

The 3-F follows the classic Barnack-style layout, with separate rangefinder and viewfinder windows, bottom loading, manual film advance, manual rewind, accessory shoe, and a horizontal focal-plane shutter. The built-in optical finder is intended for approximately 50mm framing and does not provide projected framelines. Wider or longer lenses require an external accessory finder [2].

Two main standard versions are known. The earlier 3-F uses knob film advance and appeared around 1956. A later lever-wind 3-F appeared in 1957 and was advertised without a separate model name, meaning both versions are normally grouped under the same 3-F identity [1][3]. A small number of unusual late cameras are engraved 3-F but share features with the much rarer Nicca 5-L, including a different body construction and a 1/1000s top shutter speed [1].

History

Development and Launch

The Nicca 3-F was introduced as a lower-cost alternative to Nicca’s more advanced late screw-mount bodies. Collector research describes it as a budget-friendly model that visually resembles the Leica IIIf but omits some higher-end features such as a 1/1000s top speed and built-in diopter adjustment on normal examples [1]. CollectiBlend dates the knob-wind model to approximately 1956 to 1957 and the lever-wind model to approximately 1957 [4].

Production Evolution

The first 3-F bodies used a traditional knob wind, matching earlier Leica-style practice. In 1957, Nicca introduced a lever-wind 3-F with the same model name, the same basic purpose and no separate top-plate designation [1]. A surviving 1957 3-F brochure shows a lever-wind camera with serial number 151144, and collector analysis of known serials suggests around 6,000 lever-wind cameras if the numbers were assigned consecutively [3].

Serial Number Complexity

Serial-number identification is complicated. Collector research gives an early 3-F example at serial number 85002 and notes that typical lever-wind 3-F cameras appear around the 151xxx range, with standard 3-F examples topping out around 15761x [1]. However, some very late cameras engraved 3-F appear in the 161xxx to 162xxx range and share features with the rare Nicca 5-L, while one reported 3-F lever-wind outlier has serial number 18288x [1]. These details mean the broad serial range should not be treated as clean continuous production.

Special Variants

The main standard variants are the knob-wind 3-F and the lever-wind 3-F. CollectiBlend also lists a black 3-F prototype or possible black-paint example, but notes uncertainty about whether the black paint was original [4]. Rare late 3-F-engraved bodies with 5-L-type construction are especially important because they may have a top-hinged rear door, diopter adjustment and 1/1000s shutter, features not found on normal 3-F bodies [1].

Collector Notes

For collectors, the Nicca 3-F should be checked carefully against the 3-S, Type-5, 5-L and Sears Tower variants. The normal 3-F is a screw-mount rangefinder with flash synchronization, 1/500s top speed, no self-timer and either knob or lever wind depending on variant. The later 5-L-type 3-F-engraved bodies should not be mixed into the standard 3-F specification without noting the differences [1][2].

The Nicca 3-F is valued because it represents one of the more refined Japanese Leica copies. It offers LTM compatibility, coupled rangefinder focusing, flash synchronization and a compact Leica-style body, while remaining distinct from Leica in production history and collector identity. Its appeal is strongest among collectors of Japanese rangefinders, Leica copies and late 1950s screw-mount cameras.

For LeicaLensList, the main database name should be 3-F. Knob wind, lever wind, black paint, Tower-related versions and late 5-L-type 3-F-engraved bodies should be handled as variants or notes rather than separate main titles unless the database needs variant-level separation.

Sources

• [1] Leica Copies Japan. Nicca Rangefinder Cameras. https://leica-copies-japan.com/Nicca.html
• [2] Nicca Camera Co. Nicca Model 3-F Instruction Manual. https://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/nicca_3-f.pdf
• [3] Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris. Nicca 3-F Brochure, 1957. https://yashicasailorboy.com/2019/11/22/nicca-3-f-brochure-1957/
• [4] CollectiBlend. Nicca 3-F, knob wind and lever wind. https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Nicca-Co/
• [5] The Lens DB. Nicca 3-F. https://thelensdb.com/cameras/camera/nicca-3-f-1956