Phenix DC303N

The Phenix DC303N is a mechanical 35mm SLR camera offered by a Taiwanese company and manufactured in a Jiangxi Optical Instrument General Factory factory in China. It is identical to several other models, including the Vivitar V3800N, Hikari 2002, Promaster 2500PK Super, and Braun SR2000 PK, and was often marketed as a robust and reliable camera for photography students.

The camera features a Pentax K bayonet mount, allowing the use of a wide variety of interchangeable lenses. Focusing is always manual, assisted by a split-image indicator with a microprism ring in the viewfinder. There is no autofocus function.

For exposure control, the Phenix DC303N is equipped with a center-weighted TTL light meter. This is designed for film speeds from ISO 25 to ISO 3200. The photographer sets the shutter speed and aperture manually. An LED indicator in the viewfinder indicates correct exposure with a green light and warns of overexposure or underexposure with red plus or minus symbols.

The mechanical, vertical-travel metal-blade shutter offers shutter speeds from 1/2000 second to one second, as well as a bulb mode (B) for long exposures.

Other features of the camera include a multiple-exposure function and a depth-of-field preview button for visual control of depth of field. An external flash can be connected via the hot-shoe mount or the PC sync socket, with flash sync speeds of 1/125 second or slower.

The camera is also equipped with a mechanical self-timer with a delay of approximately 10 seconds, a tripod socket, and a cable release socket.

Measuring 135 mm x 84.5 mm x 50 mm, the body weighs 445 grams without batteries. The light meter is powered by two LR44 or SR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). Since the shutter is purely mechanical, the camera is fully functional even without batteries, although it does not have exposure metering.

Films for the Phenix DC303N

The Phenix DC303N uses 35mm film, which produces negatives in the format 24 mm x 36 mm. The film is advanced manually via a quick-release lever. A color film for the 35mm camera would be the Fujifilm Superia 400*. A possible film for black and white images is the Ilford FP4 Plus*.