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.
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.
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.
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.
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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