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Nicca 3-F (knob wind)

The Nicca 3-F (knob wind) is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera, part of the Leica-derived screw-mount line built by Nicca Camera Works in the 1950s. It was positioned as a working photographer's tool offering Leica-pattern handling at a lower cost than the German originals.

Auction data for the 3-F is thin: a single UK saleroom hammer result on file shows £300 in 2016, so a true price band cannot be drawn today. As with other Nicca screw-mount bodies, what a 3-F is worth at auction in 2026 hinges heavily on cosmetic condition, shutter accuracy and whether a period lens is included.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Date Price Source
Sep 2024 £100 Flints Auctions
Nov 2021 £360 Flints Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Aug 2000 £293 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Nicca 3-F (knob wind) worth today?

On the limited evidence available, one UK auction hammer price of £300 has been recorded; without further sales the current value is best treated as indicative rather than an established market price.

How much does a Nicca 3-F sell for at auction?

The only logged UK saleroom result sells for £300, but with just one data point the price a given example achieves will depend strongly on condition and any accompanying lens.

Is the Nicca 3-F a Leica copy?

It is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder built in the Leica screw-mount tradition, sharing the general layout and lens-mount concept of the contemporary Leica bodies.

Other Nicca cameras