Nicca Camera -- Unsure

[xyra]

I don't really know much about cameras but I was hoping to try out film photography, and I already have a Nicca camera -- just unsure about what film it needs.

If anyone could help me or identify the camera, that would be lovely! And if you know anything about its history, that's also interesting as well. ^^

Here's the info:

It is a simple black Nicca camera. It has a place to attach a light for flash. It has an optical color lens (auto fix focus 50mm lens 1:6). If you turn the lens, there are four settings (cloudy/semi-cloudy/sunny/full sun or 6/8/11/16).

On the bottom of the camera it states: made in taiwan r.o.c.

Inside the camera there is also a gold sticker that reads: 2975660

As far as I can tell, the camera is made of a durable black plastic for the most part. It has a simple black strap. Also it seems to be in working order -- of course, I have no film, so I can't be positive.

If needed, I can post pictures soon.

Thank you for your help!

 

[farlymac]

What you've got there is what is euphemistically known as a "Plastic Fantastic". It is manufactured under many names, including Argus and Canon (though I think they finally got their comeuppance ripping off Canon). The names usually sound like famous brands (like Olympia instead of Olympus), and sometimes large numbers are included in the model name to impress folks.

It has what is basically a single meniscus lens that will give you some vintage box camera effects. Sometimes the shutters work, sometimes they don't. The flash units are troublesome at best, with the sync connection failing in the camera. The Royal that I have won't even let you mount the flash connector as there is a screw sticking up on the edge of the mount. If I were to drive it in, I'd probably crack the body, causing a light leak. The bracket holding the flash will break, and quite easily. As you may have noticed, the "prism housing" is really only there to contain the hot shoe for the flash, and the "viewfinder" is just a straight through window.

Nicca (a camera manufacturer) was taken over by Yashima (a lens manufacturer) in the 1950's, and the two companies became Yashica, a well respected company that created the best selling rangefinder in the world, the Electro 35 G series. They also made a series of TLR's and SLR's that are still in demand today, but the company went out of business in the 1980s.

You might like the results you get with your "Nicca". But if you don't, save it for Toy Camera Day next October. Check out some of the forums around here to see what camera gear is out there, you may see something that suits your purpose better. Read what others have to say about the operational characteristics of different cameras. Then look around to see if there are any other cameras available in your area. A Kodak using 620 film is a good option, as 120 film can be re-spooled to fit it. Another concern is whether you will be able to get the film processed locally, as many places are dropping the service. You may want to look into buying some B&W film, along with the tanks and chemicals to develop it yourself. Then you'll need to scan it for display on the Web.

Lots of things to think about. Oh, almost forgot. You camera uses 35mm (or 135 as it's listed on the box) in 12, 24, or 36 exposure rolls. If you have a local developer, they may also carry the film, and could help show you how to load your camera. Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford are the three major brands still being produced. And sometimes you can find a store brand that is usually just Fuji re-named. It's fairly simple to use, as the lens is fixed focus, and the lens openings (apertures, or f Stops) have icons to show what setting to use for the available light. 200 or 400 ISO is normally the standard film speed used in these cameras, but I'd go for the 400 at first to see what you get. If the shots look flat and washed out, switch to the 200.

Have fun, and post your pics soon.

PF

 

[tunalegs]

I would stick with 200 asa for the cameras. The shutter speed is usually around 1/100 and 400 asa will overexpose.

While it is a camera that will take photos, without adjustable shutter speeds or adjustable focus it will be really limiting, as well as lack the flexibility that would allow one to learn much about taking photos.