Nippon Camera Nippon
The Nippon Camera Nippon is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1942. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1942
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Nippon
- Serial Range
- Observed non-contiguous examples include prototypes 19 to 28 and production numbers 1810010, 18106x to 18112x, 1953x to 1955x, 2081x and 23001
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, separate fixed 50 mm viewfinder and coupled rangefinder
- 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
Nippon
The Nippon is a rare Japanese LTM rangefinder developed by Kogaku Seiki as a close Leica III derivative. The first example was delivered in 1942, while known numbered production cameras begin in 1943 [1].
The standard camera uses a coupled rangefinder, separate finder, front slow-speed dial and cloth focal-plane shutter reaching 1/500 second. Its rangefinder magnification is reported as 1x, lower than the Leica III's 1.5x system [1].
History
Development and Launch
Kogaku Seiki received a military order in 1941 to develop a Japanese Leica copy. The camera was named Nippon and initially carried Kogaku Seiki maker engraving [1].
Production Evolution
Small wartime and postwar batches used changing Showa-era serial formats. The front viewfinder surround evolved from a square-cornered rectangle to a notched Leica-style form by the final 1948 example [1].
Special Variants
A documented scientific or military version lacks both the rangefinder and slow speeds. It should remain a variant of the Nippon unless LeicaLensList later adopts a separate functional-variant policy.
Collector Notes
Nippon cameras are frequently misidentified or forged using Soviet bodies. Verify the slow-speed dial, coupled rangefinder, window shape, Kogaku Seiki engraving, rewind marking, lens mount construction and serial format.
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