Name that camera body

[jlw]

Here's a challenge for you Nikkor fans. In the "Thousand and One Nights of Nikkor Lens" narrative, in the section about the 35/1.8, you can see this picture:

The S-mount version of the 35/1.8 obviously is shown on a Nikon SP body. But what camera is shown mounting the L-mount version of the lens?

The dial on the front looks very much like the slow speed dial on a Canon V... but the body ends are rounded rather than hexagonal, and the viewfinder window array is different from what you'd see on a Canon V, VI, or P (it appears to have a center window for projected frameline illumination, and none of these cameras had projected framelines.)

The body shape and knob look more like an Olympus Pen-F SLR than anything else, but then what's up with the viewfinder windows?

So, what is it? This isn't a quiz -- I myself don't know the correct answer!

 

[rxmd]

Looks a bit like a Nicca 3L/Tower 3L:

http://www.camera.co.jp/ginza7th/nicca.html
http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/nicca/nicca.html
http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/chinpindo/camera.html (the one at the top)

I've never seen one of those, this was just from five minutes research on the Internet. Looks like an interesting camera.

Philipp

 

[dexdog]

I concur with previous poster- a Nicca 3L. Rarer than hen's teeth, I think

 

[jlw]

You guys are right, it does look like a Nicca 3L. Thanks for those links; I had never seen one either.

Makes sense, too -- Nikon couldn't very well show their lens on a C*n*n body, could they? They'd have to come up with something a bit more obscure... and since Niccas came with Nikkor lenses, this pick is both esoteric enough to be interesting and "keeps it in the family."

Kind of an awkward-lookin' beast... the YF was quite an improvement!

 

[dexdog]

Kind of an awkward-lookin' beast... the YF was quite an improvement!

Really? I think that it is an elegant minimalist design. I have a YF, and would love to find a 3L in nice condition to test-drive.

 

[rxmd]

Here's one on eBay: 280123176343, for $1350 BIN or "name your price".

Condition "EX+ with rust spot" is of course a nice description.

Philipp

 

[dexdog]

Here's one on eBay: 280123176343, for $1350 BIN or "name your price".

Condition "EX+ with rust spot" is of course a nice description.

Philipp

Kevincameras has had that thing listed for years,with no takers at $1350. Does not look to be in EX+ condition to me, but everyone is entitled to an opinion. In general, I think that this seller's prices are way too high.