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Nicca Type-4

Nicca cameras are direct clones of the Leica III series of 35mm rangefinders. They were originally built by the Nippon Camera Works - before, during and after WWII - though, eventually, both the company and the camera changed names to Nicca.

A number of Nicca cameras were made over the years, with the Type-4 model representing a later generation. The Nicca Type-4 introduced a top shutter speed of 1/1,000th of a second and flash sync for both electronic and bulb flashes. The Nicca cameras are very similar to Leica screwmount cameras and feature the split rangefinder and viewfinder windows, base loading, and dual shutter speed dials for high and low speeds. They are built quite well and make great budget cameras for getting into the M39 system.

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Nicca Type-4 for cold days

Some important accessories by which to enjoy these cold weather days: a good pair of mittens (fingerless are great for photographers), a warm beverage of choice (acceptable options include coffee, drinking chocolate, or spiced cider), and a trusty camera. Always have a trusty camera. If you cannot lay hands on a trusty one, then we suppose even an untrusty one will do. Just make sure you have a camera with you always.

In this case, our trusty camera is a Nicca Type-4 rangefinder. The Nicca is a Japanese-made clone of the famous Leica III series of cameras. Originally, both the company and camera were named Nippon but, post WWII, the Nippon Camera Works decided that their camera would sell better internationally if it was named something other than "Nippon" (which is the Japanese reference for the country of Japan). They renamed their cameras "Nicca," mostly likely compressing "Nippon" with "camera." Coincidentally, this was apparently a name considered by Nikon before they settled on Nikon.

Nicca cameras are great stand-ins for Leica III cameras, and are identical in many ways. They both use the M39 lens mount, have split rangefinders and viewfinders, cloth shutters, loading through the camera's base, and separate high and low speed shutter dials. Nicca cameras also have the advantage of being a lot cheaper and are actually more rare than Leicas. Our research indicates that only about 1,000 Nicca 4s were ever made. Nicca did produce larger volumes of their later cameras and you can also sometimes find these cameras under the Tower brand name made for Sears, Roebuck & Co.

If you are a 35mm rangefinder fan, be sure to keep these on your radar.

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Nicca Type-4

Fall cometh and fall leaveth.⠀ ⠀

Meanwhile, the Nicca 35mm rangefinder is as interesting a little camera as ever before. It was the successor to the earlier Nippon camera, which was built to emulate the Leica rangefinder cameras. Despite having a similar name, the Nicca camera is not related at all to Nikon. In fact, the company was originally founded as Nippon Camera Works by former employees of Seiki Kōgaku (which itself was the predecessor to Canon). Nippon Camera Works then changed its name to Nicca in 1948 and, by 1958, had been acquired by Yashica. In their heyday they also produced cameras that were sold under the Tower brand name.⠀ ⠀

All in all, they are solid little rangefinders. You could argue that they may not be as exquisitely built as a Leica, but then again - what is? On their own, they handle and operate quite well and at budget prices, too. The money you save on the body could go towards a really nice lens, more film, or gas to take you and your cameras out somewhere nice to enjoy the last autumn color.

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Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc

sales@bluemooncamera.com
(503) 978-0333
(503) 978-0370
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203

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Nicca Type-4

Nicca Type-4 for cold days

Nicca Type-4

Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc