The Ticka, designed by Magnus Nièll, was one of the more popular disguised cameras. In Britain it was manufactured by Houghtons, in the US it was sold as the Expo and introduced a year earlier in 1905. The shape is roughly that of a thick pocket watch. It is notable for being the first camera to use drop-in cassettes, i.e. film and take-up spool in one unit.

Early versions of the Ticka have "Patented throughout the world" stamped on the case and have a square window for the frame counter, those made a year or two later have "Patented in most countries" and a round window. The film advance handle also varies, some are of wire (early), later a thicker plate is used. The finish of the plating is either bright or dull, both early and second versions exist with each type of finish.

Many accessories were produced for the Ticka:

• Time shutter. This is a simple spring-powered flap shutter for making time exposures without resorting to the lens cap.
• Finders. Three finders were produced, referred to in advertisements by letter:
  A - direct-vision;
  B - brilliant, box form fixed for landscape;
  C - brilliant, able to swivel for portrait or landscape.
  A ground glass version available for the Expo does not seem to have been sold with the Ticka.
• Printing box.
• Postcard Printer. This attaches to the Printing Box and allows two images to be printed on postcard-size paper.
• Developing and printing outfit.
• Magnifying glass.
• Printing frame.
• Tripod.
• Printing papers and chemicals.

The images on the right show the Time shutter, the Printing Box and the Postcard Printer.

Other models of the Ticka were produced: Watch face, Solid silver model, and one with a focal-plane shutter and Cooke lens. As well as the small box shown above the camera was sold together with film cassettes in a larger grey/green box and as an outfit complete with chemicals and printing equipment.

Patents 31, 32 and 14409 of 1908 by Nièll describe an improved form of Ticka that was not put into manufacture.