Vivitar V3000s

The Vivitar V3000s is a 35mm SLR camera. It was introduced in 1994. The model was produced by the company Phenix in China and then sold under the Vivitar brand. Later, the model was replaced by the Vivitar V3000. It differs primarily in its color scheme. The design shifted from an all-black body to a black and silver color scheme.

Lens

The Vivitar V3000s features a P/K bayonet mount, commonly known as the Pentax K-mount. This widely used mount allows for the use of a variety of lenses from different manufacturers that were developed for this system.

Focusing is always done manually using the focusing ring on the lens. To assist with focusing, the V3000s’s viewfinder offers several aids. In the center, there is a split-image indicator, where the image is horizontally divided. Sharp focus is achieved when the two halves of the image are perfectly aligned.

Surrounding the split-image indicator is a microprism ring. The image in this area appears to “shimmer” or “wave” when out of focus and becomes clear once the focus is correctly set. The rest of the focusing screen can also be used to judge sharpness, especially when the central focusing aids are less effective with certain subjects or in specific lighting conditions.

The aperture is also set manually via the aperture ring on the lens. The set aperture and distance can often be read from an aperture/distance index on the lens.

Exposure Settings

The Vivitar V3000s has a TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering system that operates with an SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) cell and meters at the lens’s widest aperture.

The metering pattern is center-weighted integral. This means the system measures the entire viewfinder image but gives greater importance to the central area. The camera’s metering range is from EV 2 to EV 19 (at ISO 100 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens).

The exposure is set entirely manually. The photographer selects both the shutter speed and the aperture. First, the film speed must be set correctly. This is done by lifting and turning the film speed ring on the shutter speed dial until the used ISO value is aligned with the index mark (▼). The adjustable range is from ISO 25 to ISO 3200.

The shutter speed is selected using the shutter speed dial. Available speeds range from 1 second to 1/2000 of a second in 13 steps (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 s).

Additionally, there is a “B” (Bulb) setting for long exposures, where the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is pressed. For Bulb shots, a tripod and often a cable release are recommended to avoid camera shake.

The light meter is activated by half-pressing the shutter release button. One of three LEDs will then light up in the viewfinder to indicate the exposure situation: A green circle LED signals correct exposure. A red “+” LED indicates overexposure (subject is too bright). A red “-” LED indicates underexposure (subject is too dark).

If the green LED lights up along with one of the red LEDs, it indicates a slight deviation, which is often still acceptable. To achieve the correct exposure, the photographer must adjust the aperture or shutter speed until only the green LED is lit.

The meter turns off as soon as the finger is removed from the shutter release. Due to the center-weighted metering, the main subject should be placed in the center of the viewfinder for a precise measurement. With strong brightness contrasts (e.g., backlighting or a very bright/dark background), manual exposure compensation may be necessary by intentionally deviating from the meter reading and over- or underexposing.

Flash System

The Vivitar V3000s is equipped with a standard ISO hot shoe with a central contact (X-contact). It is located on top of the pentaprism housing. It allows the connection of external, cordless electronic flash units.

Flash synchronization occurs at shutter speeds of 1/125 second or longer. Shutter speeds faster than 1/125 s cannot be used with a flash, as parts of the image would otherwise remain unexposed.

The camera does not offer TTL flash metering or special flash modes; flash exposure must typically be controlled on the flash unit itself or by manual calculation (Guide Number / Distance = Aperture).

Additional Features

The camera has a mechanical self-timer. It is activated by pressing down the self-timer lever on the front of the camera. After cocking the shutter and fully pressing the shutter release, the self-timer runs for approximately 10 seconds before the shutter is triggered. This allows the photographer to be in the picture.

Using a tripod is recommended when using the self-timer. There is a standard tripod socket on the bottom of the camera.

The shutter release is purely mechanical and can be used with a standard cable release (especially for long exposures on the “B” setting).

Film is advanced manually using the film advance lever, which has a 130° stroke and a 20° standoff position. After each shot, the lever must be wound completely to advance the film and cock the shutter.

The frame counter is additive (counts from “S” through 1 to 36) and automatically resets to “S” (Start) when the camera back is opened. To rewind the film, the film rewind release button on the bottom of the camera must be pressed. Then, the film is rewound back into the cartridge by turning the fold-out film rewind crank clockwise.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions of the Vivitar V3000s (body only) are 135 mm in width, 84.5 mm in height, and 50 mm in depth. The weight of the camera body without batteries is 445 grams.

Power Supply

The power supply for the Vivitar V3000s is used exclusively to operate the built-in light meter. The camera itself, including the shutter and film transport, is fully mechanical and functions even without batteries.

It requires two 1.5V alkaline batteries (type LR44) (eBay / Amazon*) or alternatively, two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (type SR44).

The battery life is stated as about one year for silver-oxide batteries (SR44) and about six months for alkaline batteries (LR44), depending on the frequency of use and ambient temperature. In cold weather, battery performance may temporarily decrease.

Film Recommendations

The Vivitar V3000s uses standard 35mm film in standard cartridges. As the camera does not have DX-code recognition, the film speed must always be set manually on the film speed ring. The setting range from ISO 25 to ISO 3200 covers almost all common film types.

A good color film for the camera is the Kodak Ektar 100*. Good black and white photos can be taken with the flexible Ilford HP5*.

Quick Start Guide

1. Insert two LR44 or SR44 batteries with the correct polarity into the battery compartment (for the light meter only).
2. Open the camera back by pulling the film rewind knob all the way up.
3. Place the 35mm film cartridge into the film chamber and push the rewind knob back down.
4. Pull out the film leader and insert the end into one of the slots of the film take-up spool.
5. Slowly operate the film advance lever to ensure the transport sprockets engage with the film’s perforations. Close the camera back.
6. Cock the shutter with the advance lever and fire it with the shutter release button. Repeat this until the frame counter shows “1”. While doing so, check if the rewind knob rotates during film advance (an indicator of correct transport).
7. Set the correct film speed (ISO value of the film) on the film speed ring.
8. Select the desired shutter speed on the shutter speed dial.
9. Select the desired aperture on the lens’s aperture ring.
10. Aim the camera at the subject and look through the viewfinder.
11. Focus manually with the lens’s focusing ring until the subject appears sharp in the split-image indicator or microprism ring.
12. Press the shutter release button halfway to activate the light meter. Adjust the shutter speed or aperture if necessary until the green LED in the viewfinder lights up.
13. Press the shutter release button completely to take the picture.
14. After the last frame, press the film rewind release button on the bottom of the camera.
15. Fold out the film rewind crank and turn it clockwise until the film is completely rewound into the cartridge (resistance will cease).
16. Open the camera back and remove the film cartridge.