Miranda dx-3

The dx-3, Miranda's first and only compact electronic SLR.

By the early 1970's, the cost of production of all-machanical SLR's was becoming prohibitive, particularly for specialist manufacturers like Miranda who designed and produced all their own components. It was hoped that utilization of electronic subassemblies would increase production as well as lowering the unit cost, as well as providing a competitive, compact product in the current market.

The dx-3 took two years to design and produce, and had a production run from April 1975 through to December, 1976. Miranda Camera Co. initially did not have the depth of knowledge of this hybrid type of design compared to their experience in mechanical cameras, and the dx-3 needed a series of production changes to increase its reliability. Overall, the dx-3 was not the technological and financial success Miranda hoped for, and production stopped when Miranda stopped making cameras in December 1976.

Early models can be distinguished by a long wind lever throw (190 degrees) in the early version, and a shorter (and stronger geared) action in later models. I've been advised that both black and chrome variants were made in both models, although personally I have never seen a chrome example with the earlier wind system.

The dx-3 shutter is electronic. It will work on one manual speed only without batteries.

Beware of the self timer lever in particular. It is a plastic switch, not a lever to push around and set a clockwork mechanism. The switch lever is extremely easy to break by forcing it a little too hard. Most dx-3's seem have this lever missing as a result.

Otherwise, look carefully at the meter coupling and if the metering works correctly. There is an aperture scale in the viewfinder - the pointer should move up and down when the aperture setting ring on the lens is moved. The metering 'OK' '+' '-' diodes are sensitive and need to be verified in operation.

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Nomenclature diagrams from user manual, showing all major controls and feature Black finished dx-3 (this user example shows typical corner brassing)
Batteries:
4x S-76 Silver Oxide

Lenses:
Miranda EC type

 Shutter:
Focal Plane, 1 sec - 1/1000, flash sync 1/60
 Size:
135x89x86mm
800g with 50/1.8
Metering:
Center Weighted,
Full Aperture or
Stopdown mode,
LED diode in finder		  dx-3_mtr_mode.jpg (69795 bytes) dx-3_mtr_range.jpg (68008 bytes) dx-3_mtr_diag.jpg (62227 bytes)
Meter Controls

Meter Operating Range

Meter Diagram
Miranda EC Lenses:
28/2.8 (7/7)
35/2.8 (6/6)
50/1.8 (4/6)
50/1.4 (5/7)
105/2.8 (5/5)
135/2.8 (4/5)
200/3.5 (5/6)
80-200/3.5 (8/12)
55 Macron (3/4)
Other Lenses:
All previous MIRANDA E lenses for the Sensorex EE, and all SOLIGOR EC lenses will work on the dx-3 at full aperture.

All previous MIRANDA or SOLIGOR lenses with internal diaphragm control, can be used with stop-down metering.
Accessories: Starting below...
Eye level finder,  magnifier, eyepiece holder and correction lenses available at the model introduction.

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One of the more fascinating accessories for the dx-3 was a professional motor drive, with three speed options, and a matching 250 exposure back. Technical troubles in framing accuracy were never resolved, so only about 50 were made as a pilot run. The unit was never released to the market.


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