Nippon Kogaku Seiki

Predecessor of all Nicca cameras the Nippon cameras was made in extremely limited numbers by Kogaku Seiki (a mechanical and optical workshop which was founded at the end of the 1930’s by several ex-Canon technicians). In June 1941, the company merged with OMIYA PHOTO SUPPLY Co. Ltd. (at that time a well known photo dealer which owned the brand name HANSA - all Canon Cameras sold through OMIYA - which were most of them - carried the HANSA engraving until 1940. OMIYA also supplied most of the Canon parts in the early days). Because of its expertise, Kogan Seiki SHA was given an order from the Ministry of War to produce a 35mm camera in 1941.Only very few cameras are known to exist today. The Nippon cameras were never for sale to the public. With matching Nikkor-Q.C. 3,5/5cm no.705197, strap lugs but without diopter correction. Shutter speeds: Z, T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 20, 20-1, 30, 40, 60, 100, 200, 500. Please refer to LEICA COPIES by HPR, p.252 for the detailed history. There was also a Nippon Standard made without a rangefinder. They are also known with X.O.L. and Sun lenses. One sale in the past shows it with a Nikkor 3.5/5cm lens and the Nicca Original on page 261 shows the Nikkor 3.5/5cm lens no.7052137.