Nicca Original
The Nicca Original is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1948. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1948
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Unknown, Original is a collector-applied identifier
- Serial Range
- Approximately 23078 to 23277, most credible observed collector range; broader claimed examples require authentication
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, separate fixed 50 mm viewfinder and coupled rangefinder without dioptre adjustment
- Shutter Speeds
- T, 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, Z, 1/20 s, 1/30 s, 1/40 s, 1/60 s, 1/100 s, 1/200 s and 1/500 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- None
Nicca Original
The collector-named Nicca Original is the first Nicca-branded LTM rangefinder, introduced in 1948. It closely follows the final Nippon body and is identified principally by its Nicca top engraving and early maker inscription [1].
It has a coupled 1x rangefinder without dioptre adjustment, separate fixed finder, slow speeds and a cloth focal-plane shutter reaching 1/500 second. Factory flash synchronization and a self timer are absent [1].
History
Development and Launch
The camera name changed from Nippon to Nicca in 1948. Early examples are engraved Nippon Camera Works, Ltd. Tokyo, reflecting the company's brief transitional name [1].
Production Evolution
The Original and early Type-3 appear to have overlapped. The most credible Originals lack dioptre adjustment and retain a central screw in the slow-speed dial, while disputed examples show later features [1].
Special Variants
Original is a collector convention rather than a factory model engraving. It should remain the generic database name and should not receive a special-edition tag.
Collector Notes
Authentication is difficult. Verify the absence of dioptre adjustment, early maker engraving, slow-dial construction, plugged rear focus-adjustment hole and serial. Later replacement parts can produce misleading hybrids.
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