Tower 48
The Tower 48 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
- 48
- Serial Range
- Approximately 5005x to 5117x, observed collector range
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 and 1/500 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- 1/25 s
Tower 48
The Tower 48 is the Sears-market version of the lever-wind Nicca 3-F. It uses a die-cast LTM body, separate finder and rangefinder windows, automatic flash synchronization and a cloth focal-plane shutter reaching 1/500 second [1].
Compared with Tower 45 and 46, it omits the rear loading flap, 1/1000 setting and dioptre adjustment. The documented standard outfit used a Nikkor 5 cm f/2 lens [1].
History
Development and Launch
Lens and body evidence indicates a late-1957 US introduction, later than the Japanese release of the equivalent lever-wind Nicca 3-F [1].
Production Evolution
Observed serials approximately span 5005x to 5117x. The camera is engraved “Tower”, while the full 48 designation is confirmed by its Sears user manual [1].
Special Variants
No special edition is documented. Tower 48 is a standard Sears commercial model, even though the number is usually absent from the body.
Collector Notes
The most reliable distinction from Tower 45 and 46 is functional: Tower 48 stops at 1/500 and lacks both the hinged rear flap and rewind-knob dioptre lever. Confirm identification from the manual or outfit when possible.
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