Difference between revisions of "Nicca"

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The '''Nicca Camera Co. Ltd.''' started as the optical workshop ''Kogaku Seiki'' Co. in 1940, founded by former employees of '''[[Canon]]'''. Its first camera, the Nippon, a close copy of the [[Leica]] rangefinder camera, was produced in 1942.  
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The '''Nicca Camera Co. Ltd.''' started as the optical workshop '''Kōgaku Seiki-sha''' (光学精機社, meaning Optics and Precision Co.) in 1940, founded by former employees of [[Canon|Seiki Kōgaku]] (the predecessor of [[Canon]]). It was based in Tokyo, Honjo.<REF> Its address in 1943 was Tōkyō-to Honjo-ku Higashi-Ryōgoku 3&ndash;10 (東京都本所区東両国3&ndash;10). Source: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943. </REF> Its first camera, the Nippon, a close copy of the [[Leica]] rangefinder camera, was produced in 1942.  
  
 
In 1948, the company changed its name to the Nippon Camera Works, and a year later, to the Nicca Camera Works. It continued to build Leica-type rangefinder cameras, adding such features as flash synchronization, lever wind, a hinged film back, and projected viewfinder framing. Nicca also made cameras for [[Sears]] under the [[Tower]] name.  
 
In 1948, the company changed its name to the Nippon Camera Works, and a year later, to the Nicca Camera Works. It continued to build Leica-type rangefinder cameras, adding such features as flash synchronization, lever wind, a hinged film back, and projected viewfinder framing. Nicca also made cameras for [[Sears]] under the [[Tower]] name.  
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* Yashica YF (Leica M3-copy)
 
* Yashica YF (Leica M3-copy)
  
==Links==
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== Notes ==
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<references />
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== Bibliography ==
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* {{Inquiry1943}}
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== Links ==
 
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/leica_copies_n/histnicca.htm Chronology] at [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica.htm Leica Copies] by Ian Norris
 
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/leica_copies_n/histnicca.htm Chronology] at [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica.htm Leica Copies] by Ian Norris
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/nicproto.htm Unmarked camera], perhaps based on a Nicca or Yashica, at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/nicproto.htm Unmarked camera], perhaps based on a Nicca or Yashica, at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
  
 
[[Category:Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category:Japanese camera makers]]

Revision as of 00:43, 12 February 2007

The Nicca Camera Co. Ltd. started as the optical workshop Kōgaku Seiki-sha (光学精機社, meaning Optics and Precision Co.) in 1940, founded by former employees of Seiki Kōgaku (the predecessor of Canon). It was based in Tokyo, Honjo.[1] Its first camera, the Nippon, a close copy of the Leica rangefinder camera, was produced in 1942.

In 1948, the company changed its name to the Nippon Camera Works, and a year later, to the Nicca Camera Works. It continued to build Leica-type rangefinder cameras, adding such features as flash synchronization, lever wind, a hinged film back, and projected viewfinder framing. Nicca also made cameras for Sears under the Tower name.

In 1958, the company was acquired by Yashica, which manufactured and re-labeled the Nicca-33 and III-L as the Yashica YE and YF respectively.

Camera list

  • Tower Type 3 (Leica III-copy for Sears & Roebuck, 1949)
  • Nicca IIIB (Leica III-copy, 1951)
  • Nicca IIIS (Leica III-copy, 1952)
  • Nicca Type MS
  • Nicca Type 4
  • Nicca Type 5
  • Yashica YF (Leica M3-copy)

Notes

  1. Its address in 1943 was Tōkyō-to Honjo-ku Higashi-Ryōgoku 3–10 (東京都本所区東両国3–10). Source: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.

Bibliography

Links