Nicca Type-3
The Nicca Type-3 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
- Type-3
- Serial Range
- Approximately 2302x to 2765x, observed collector range with transitional maker markings
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, separate fixed 50 mm viewfinder and coupled rangefinder with dioptre adjustment
- Shutter Speeds
- T, 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, Z or B, 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 Type-3
The Nicca Type-3 is an early Japanese LTM rangefinder introduced in 1948. Compared with the collector-named Nicca Original, it adds dioptre adjustment and increases rangefinder magnification from 1x to 1.5x [1].
Its cloth focal-plane shutter provides slow speeds and reaches 1/500 second. The Type-3 also introduced click stops to the slow-speed dial. Factory flash synchronization was not yet fitted [1].
History
Development and Launch
Period advertising uses Nicca Mod III and Nicca Type III, but production top plates are engraved Nicca Type-3. LeicaLensList should use the engraved form as the main name [1].
Production Evolution
Early cameras retain Nippon Camera Works engraving and some Original-style construction. Maker inscriptions, slow-dial details, leatherette, base-plate supports and accessory shoes changed progressively. The shutter marking transitioned from Z to B around serial 24000 [1].
Special Variants
The Peerless Type-3 is a separately branded commercial version and remains a different confirmed profile later in the backlog. It should not be merged into this Nicca entry.
Collector Notes
Confirm the Type-3 engraving, dioptre lever, 1.5x rangefinder construction, slow-speed click stops and serial-era details. Early overlap with the Nicca Original makes feature-based authentication essential.
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