Tower 46
The Tower 46 is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1957. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1957
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- 46
- Serial Range
- Approximately 15021x to 15199x, shared observed body range with Tower 45
Dimensions
- Width
- 139mm
- Height
- 73mm
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, separate fixed 50 mm viewfinder and coupled rangefinder
- Shutter Speeds
- T, 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/5 s, 1/10 s, 1/15 s, B, 1/25 s, 1/50 s, 1/100 s, 1/200 s, 1/500 s and 1/1000 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- 1/25 s
Tower 46
The Tower 46 is the f/1.4-lens version of Sears' advanced Nicca-built LTM rangefinder. Its body combines lever film advance, an easier-loading top-hinged rear flap, separate viewing and focusing windows and a cloth shutter reaching 1/1000 second [1].
The defining commercial difference from the Tower 45 is its Nikkor 5 cm f/1.4 standard lens. Automatic synchronization supports electronic flash through 1/25 second and FP bulbs at higher speeds [1].
History
Development and Launch
The Tower 45 and 46 appear in Sears documentation from 1957. They represent the US-market form of Nicca's late 5-L design and may have preceded the very rare Nicca 5-L-branded camera [1].
Production Evolution
Tower 45 and 46 bodies occupy the same observed serial sequence, approximately 15021x to 15199x. The model number was an outfit designation rather than a normal top-plate engraving [1].
Special Variants
The f/1.4 Nikkor distinguishes the standard Tower 46 outfit. Finish or lens-production changes should remain metadata, not new camera editions.
Collector Notes
Body-only examples cannot always be separated reliably from Tower 45. Check the original lens, manual and packaging alongside the 1/1000 shutter, hinged back, lever wind and dioptre adjustment.
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