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.
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.
History
Development and Launch
Period advertising uses Nicca Mod III and Nicca Type III, but production top plates are engraved Nicca Type-3. The engraved form is used as the main name.
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.
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.
Comments