Vivitar V3800N

The Vivitar V3800N is a SLR camera. It was manufactured in China. A functionally identical model was offered by Phenix as the Phenix DC303N. This model was introduced in the early 2000s and was available new until the mid-2010s.

Lens

The Vivitar V3800N uses the widely used PK bayonet mount. This allows the use of a variety of lenses from different manufacturers that are compatible with this mount.

The camera was often sold as a kit with a standard lens, typically a 50mm prime lens, but the focal length and aperture depend on the lens attached.

Lenses are attached and removed by rotating them after aligning a mark on the lens with the corresponding index on the camera body. A lens release button on the body must be pressed to remove the lens.

Focusing is done entirely manually by turning the focusing ring on the lens. The viewfinder serves as a focusing aid. It features a central split-image indicator, a surrounding microprism ring, and a surrounding ground glass.

With the split-image indicator, the two halves of the subject must be aligned. The image appears clear when correctly focused through the microprism ring; otherwise, it appears jittery or flickering. The ground glass is used to assess overall sharpness.

Exposure Settings

The Vivitar V3800N features a built-in exposure metering system that measures through the lens. It uses a center-weighted metering system that considers the entire image field but places greater emphasis on the center area. The sensor is an SPD photocell. Metering takes place at full aperture.

Exposure is set entirely manually. The user selects both the exposure time and the aperture value. The exposure meter provides assistance.

To activate the exposure meter, lightly press the shutter button halfway. LEDs in the viewfinder then illuminate, indicating the measured exposure. A green circular LED indicates correct exposure. A red plus LED (+) indicates overexposure, and a red minus LED (-) indicates underexposure. If the green and a red LED light up simultaneously, there is slight over- or underexposure, which is often still acceptable.

The user must then adjust either the exposure time using the shutter speed dial or the aperture using the lens aperture ring until only the green LED lights up. The exposure meter’s measuring range is from EV 2 to EV 19 (with ISO 100 film and a lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4).

The exposure times are selected using the control dial on the top of the camera. Available times range from 1 second to 1/2000 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).

There’s also a “B” (Bulb) setting for long exposures, where the shutter remains open as long as the shutter button is pressed. For bulb shots, the use of a tripod and a cable release is recommended.

The film speed is set manually using the film speed setting ring, which is part of the shutter speed dial. The setting range is from ISO 25 to ISO 3200. This value must be set correctly according to the film loaded in order for the light meter to provide accurate readings.

Flash System

The Vivitar V3800N is equipped with a flash system for external flash units. It features a central accessory shoe on the pentaprism body with an integrated center contact. This allows synchronization with standard flash units at an exposure time of 1/125 second or longer. Shutter speeds shorter than 1/125 second result in partial shadowing of the image by the shutter curtain.

In addition to the hotshoe, the camera features a PC sync port on the front for flash units connected via a sync cable. There are no internal flash modes or TTL flash metering; flash exposure must be controlled manually on the flash unit or via its automatic functions.

Additional Features

A mechanical self-timer is available. It is activated by pressing the lever on the front of the camera after the film has been advanced. The delay time is approximately 10 seconds.

A tripod thread (standard 1/4 inch) is provided on the bottom of the camera for using the self-timer or for long exposures.

A depth-of-field control button or lever allows you to judge the actual depth of field at the selected aperture in the viewfinder. The aperture is normally fully open for easier focusing; only when this lever is pressed does it close to the preselected value.

The camera also features a multiple exposure button. If this button is held down while the film advance lever is operated, the shutter is re-cocked without advancing the film. This allows multiple exposures to be taken on the same frame.

The film advance lever has a movement angle of 130 degrees and a standby position of 20 degrees. The frame counter is additive, counting from “S” (start) to 36 and automatically resetting to “S” when the camera back is opened. Markings at 12, 20, 24, and 36 are highlighted in orange for orientation.

The film is rewinded manually using the fold-out film rewind crank after pressing the film release button on the bottom of the camera.

Dimensions and Weight

The dimensions of the Vivitar V3800N are 135 mm wide, 84.5 mm high, and 50 mm deep. The camera body weighs 445 grams without batteries.

Power Supply

The light meter is powered by two button cells. Either 1.5V alkaline manganese batteries, type LR44 (eBay / Amazon*) or 1.55V silver oxide batteries, type SR44 can be used.

Film Recommendations

The Vivitar V3800N uses 35mm film (eBay / Amazon*). The camera has no DX detection; The film speed must be set manually using the ISO dial. The setting range is from ISO 25 to ISO 3200.

Color negative, color positive (slide), and black-and-white film can be used. The number of images per film roll is typically 24 or 36.

Quick Operation Guide

1. Inserting and checking batteries: Open the battery compartment on the bottom, insert two LR44 or SR44 batteries with the correct polarity, and close it. Check the batteries by half-pressing the shutter button (the LED in the viewfinder must light up). This is only necessary for the light meter.
2. Loading film: Pull the film rewind knob up to open the camera back. Insert the film cartridge into the film chamber and press the rewind knob down again. Pull out the film tongue and insert the end into a slot on the film take-up spool. Operate the film advance lever once to ensure the perforation is engaged by the sprocket wheel. Close the camera back.
3. Advance the film: Operate the film advance lever and the shutter button alternately until the frame counter reaches “1.” The film rewind knob should rotate with it, indicating correct film advance.
4. Set the film speed: Lift the outer ring of the shutter speed dial and turn it until the ISO value of the loaded film is opposite the index arrow.
5. Set the exposure: Select an appropriate combination of shutter speed (using the shutter speed dial) and aperture (using the lens aperture adjustment ring).
6. Focus: Look through the viewfinder eyepiece and turn the lens focus ring until the subject appears sharp in the split-image indicator or microprism ring.
7. Check exposure: Press the shutter button halfway. Adjust the aperture or shutter speed until the green LED in the viewfinder lights up.
8. Release shutter: Press the shutter button fully to take the photo.
9. Advance film: Pull the film advance lever all the way to advance the film for the next shot and to cock the shutter.
10. Rewind film: When the film is full (the advance lever can no longer be moved), press the film rewind release button on the bottom of the camera. Unfold the crank on the film rewind knob and turn it clockwise until the film is completely rewound into the cartridge (you will feel a noticeable drop in resistance). Open the back cover and remove the film cartridge.