Nicca 3-F with Tokyo Kogaku Topcor screwmount lens 5cm F3.5.

The Nicca Camera Co. Ltd started as the optical workshop Kogagu Seiki-Sha, in 1940, founded by former employees of Seiko Kogagu. ( Canon ).  And was based in Tokyo. The first camera the Nippon was a close copy of a Leica rangefinder camera, and was produced around 1942 in the war time.

In 1948 the company changed its name to the Nippon Camera Works Ltd and 1 year later to Nicca Camera Works Ltd. It continued to built Leica – type rangefinder models as much other companies did in this period, adding features such as flash synchronization, lever-wind , hinged film backs and better viewfinders. Nicca also made cameras for Sears a large company in the US camera under there brand name Tower.  In 1958 the company was taken over by Yashica  which manufactured and re-labeled the Nicca 33 and III-L as the Yashica YE and YF.

This Nicca 3-F was produced from 1956-1957, The top housing was restyled for a cleaner look. Early versions have knob wind , later version lever wind. Normally sold with a Nikkor lens, this model has a Tokyo Kogaku Topcor lens 5cm 50mm/F3.5 Leica 39mm LMT Screw Mount. The front ring with the lens details is missing. The is complete except this item. It works fine and is rare to find.