In the mid 1980s, my dad bought me a Yashica FX-3 from Hong Kong. That was my first SRL with a TTL meter. In December of 2011, I saw a Vivitar V3000s with a 50mm lens at USD 20 with free shipping on ebay. At first, I was interested only in the lens since it's of k mount. After the camera got into my hands, I find that this Vivitar model is a copy of Yashica FX-3 Super 2000, but with a k mount and an extra flash socket in the front. The Vivitar 50mm 1:1.7 lens on the camera was made by Cosina as Wikipedia states. The lens has not 'A' setting on its aperture ring. Does it matter? Well, if you want to use the lens with a Pentax DSLR, an extra step is needed to set up the DSLR.
My V3000s is all black with a shutter speed range from B to 1/2000 s, as same as FX-3 Super 2000 (in both all black and silver/black versions). The build quality of V3000s is acceptable except the camera bottom plate. It's a piece of plastic, too thin without solid feeling. The tripod socket, which is changeable, is also plastic on V3000s. The other issue I find with an ageing V3000s is that its skins tend to peel off at edge.
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On the box, it marks 'V3000s SLR (Self-Timer) 55mm f/1.7 Lens & Case P/K Φ52mm,
'105855' (cat. #?), and UPC 019643058552 |
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| The self-timer lever on the left is different from FX-3 as I remember. |
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The film door and its lock are of metal parts, which should be durable.
The number on the sticker inside the film door may be the body's SN since I can not find other number on my V3000s. |
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| The thinner bottom plate, battery chamber cover and tripod socket are all made of plastic. |
Vivitar later updated V3000s to V3800n with ME and DOF preview. Did Vivitar manufacture another copy of Yashica? Yes or no? Check Vivitar V3000 (silver and black body) and Yashica FX-7 Super to find out yourself.
How about this Kalimar K-90? A copy of FX-3 Super with Pentax K mount?
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| Kenko also manufactures YC mount body, actually another copy of Fx-3 Super 2000 (image from Kenko website) |
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| These are original Fx-3, Super and Super 2000 |
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| A Chinese copy, Phenix DC888, with 1/1000s, a modified grip and a PK mount |
Samyang DF-200x, identical to Vivitar V3000s.
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