Nicca

Est. 1940

Nicca

Nicca was a Japanese camera manufacturer known for producing high-quality Leica screw mount rangefinder cameras in the post-war period. Originally established in Tokyo as Kōgaku Seiki-sha, the company became one of the most respected Japanese makers of Leica-style 35mm cameras, alongside brands such as Canon, Leotax, Tanack, and Minolta. Nicca cameras were built around the Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM or M39, and were aimed at photographers who wanted Leica-compatible rangefinder bodies at a lower price than the original German models.

The brand is especially relevant to collectors of vintage rangefinder cameras because its later models introduced practical improvements to the Barnack-style Leica formula, including flash synchronization, lever wind, easier film loading, and improved viewfinder designs. Nicca also manufactured cameras for Sears, Roebuck & Co. under the Tower name, giving the company a notable presence in the American camera market during the 1950s.

History

Founding / Early Years Nicca began in 1940 as Kōgaku Seiki-sha, a small Japanese optical workshop. The company was founded during a period when Japan was developing its own precision camera industry and reducing reliance on imported German photographic equipment. Its earliest work was closely connected to the Leica III design, which had become the international reference point for compact 35mm rangefinder cameras.

In 1942, the company produced its first camera, the Nippon, a close copy of the Leica III. The camera used the Leica screw mount and followed the general Barnack-style body layout, making it compatible with LTM lenses. Production numbers were low, and early Nippon cameras are now considered rare collector items.

Post-War Reorganization After the Second World War, the company shifted toward civilian camera production. In 1948, Kōgaku Seiki-sha changed its name to Nippon Camera Works. Around the same period, the camera name Nicca appeared, likely derived from “Nippon” and “camera.” By 1949, the company became Nicca Camera Works, and in 1951 it was known as Nicca Camera Company, Ltd.

During this period, Nicca focused almost entirely on Leica-type 35mm rangefinder cameras. The early Nicca Type-3 and later Nicca IIIA, IIIB, and IIIS models followed the Leica screw mount format closely, with incremental refinements in handling, shutter operation, and flash synchronization.

Sears Tower Partnership One of Nicca’s most important commercial developments was its relationship with Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the United States. Sears sold several Nicca-made cameras under the Tower house brand, including models related to the Nicca Type-3 and later advanced bodies. This partnership gave Nicca access to the American consumer market and helped position the company as a serious Japanese alternative to Leica.

Tower-branded Nicca cameras were often sold with Nikkor 5cm lenses, including f/2 and f/1.4 options. This combination made them appealing to photographers who wanted a capable Leica-compatible system with strong Japanese optics.

Advanced Models and Yashica Acquisition By the mid-to-late 1950s, Nicca began moving beyond direct Leica copying and introduced more practical refinements. The Nicca Type-5 added easier rear film loading, while the Nicca 5L and related Tower versions added lever wind operation and other improvements. The Nicca III-L represented one of the company’s most advanced screw mount bodies, combining LTM compatibility with a more modern viewfinder and handling approach.

Despite the quality of its cameras, Nicca remained a small company in a rapidly changing market. Demand for screw mount rangefinders declined as newer 35mm camera designs and single-lens reflex cameras gained popularity. In 1958, Nicca was acquired by Yashica. Some late Nicca designs continued under Yashica branding, including the Yashica YE and Yashica YF, which were based on Nicca camera designs.

Product Lines

Leica Screw Mount Rangefinder Cameras Nicca’s main product line consisted of 35mm rangefinder cameras using the Leica Thread Mount. These models were compatible with LTM lenses and followed the classic Barnack-style rangefinder body layout. Important examples include the Nicca Type-3, Nicca IIIA, Nicca IIIB, Nicca IIIS, Nicca 3-S, Nicca 3-F, Nicca Type-5, Nicca 5L, and Nicca III-L.

Nippon Cameras Before the Nicca name was adopted, the company produced cameras under the Nippon name. These early bodies were close Leica III-style cameras and are much rarer than later Nicca-branded models. They are important in the history of Japanese Leica copies because they show the company’s roots before post-war civilian production expanded.

Tower-Branded Cameras Nicca manufactured several cameras for Sears under the Tower brand. These models were sold primarily in the United States and often corresponded closely to Nicca-branded bodies. Tower cameras helped introduce Japanese Leica screw mount cameras to a wider American audience and are now collected alongside their Nicca equivalents.

Yashica-Derived Models After Yashica acquired Nicca, some camera designs were carried forward under the Yashica name. The Yashica YE and Yashica YF are closely connected to late Nicca production and represent the final stage of the company’s design influence before the Nicca name disappeared from the market.

Technical Characteristics

Feature Description
Camera Type 35mm coupled rangefinder cameras based on the Leica screw mount format.
Lens Mount Leica Thread Mount, also known as LTM or M39.
Film Format Standard 35mm film using 24×36mm negatives.
Focus System Coupled rangefinder focusing, generally following the Leica-style separate viewfinder and rangefinder layout on most models.
Shutter Type Mechanical focal-plane shutter with cloth curtains on most models.
Lens Compatibility Compatible with Leica screw mount lenses, including lenses from Leitz, Nippon Kogaku, Canon, and other LTM manufacturers.
Common Lens Pairings Many bodies were sold with Nikkor 5cm lenses, especially f/2 and f/1.4 versions.
Body Construction Metal rangefinder body construction, with later models showing improved handling and build refinement.
Notable Features Flash synchronization, lever wind on later models, improved film loading on Type-5 and 5L designs, and more modern viewfinder concepts on late models.
Related Brands Tower, Sears, Yashica.

Market Reception

Nicca is regarded as one of the stronger Japanese Leica copy manufacturers of the post-war period. While early models stayed close to the Leica III design, later bodies showed meaningful improvements in usability. Collectors often value Nicca cameras because they combine Leica screw mount compatibility with Japanese mechanical quality and a distinctive place in 1950s camera history.

The brand’s reputation is especially strong among users and collectors of LTM rangefinder cameras. Models such as the Nicca 5L, Tower 45/46, and Nicca III-L are often discussed as some of the most advanced developments of the small-body Leica screw mount concept. Their relative rarity, connection to Sears Tower cameras, and later link to Yashica make Nicca an important make for any LeicaLensList database focused on Leica-compatible cameras, Japanese rangefinders, and vintage 35mm camera systems.

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