Canon Eos 3 Owners Manual

							CT1-1114-006 © CANON INC. 1998 PRINTED IN JAPAN
1000Ni1.0
E
EEnglish Edition
INSTRUCTIONS
This Instructions booklet is current as of September 1998. For informati\
on on using the
camera with system accessories introduced after this date, contact your \
nearest Canon
Service Center.
CANON INC.30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, JapanCANON U.S.A., INC. 
For all inquiries concerning this camera, call toll free in the U.S. 1-8\
00-828-4040
or write to:  Customer Relations, Canon U.S.A., Inc.
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042-1198
CANON CANADA INC. HEADQUARTERS6390 Dixie Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1P7, CanadaCANON CANADA INC. MONTREAL BRANCH5990, Côte-de-Liesse, Montréal Québec H4T 1V7, CanadaCANON CANADA INC. CALGARY OFFICE2828, 16th Street, N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 7K7, Canada
For all inquiries concerning this camera, call toll free in Canada 1-800\
-828-4040
CANON EUROPA N.V.Bovenkerkerweg 59-61, P.O. Box 2262, 1180 EG Amstelveen, The NetherlandsCANON PHOTO VIDEO FRANCE S.A. Service Center102, Avenue du Général de Gaulle 92257 La Garenne-Colombes Cedex, France\
CANON UK LTD.Woodhatch Reigate Surrey RH2 8BF United KingdomCANON EURO-PHOTO G.m.b.H.Siemensring 90-92, D-47877 Willich, GermanyCANON ITALIA S.p.A.Palazzo L, Strada 6, 20089 Rozzano, Milanofiori, Milano, ItalyCANON Benelux N.V./S.A.Bessenveldstraat 7, 1831 Diegem (Machelen), BelgiumCANON Schweiz AGGeschäftsbereich Wiederverkauf, Industriestrasse 12, CH-8305 Dietliko\
n, SwitzerlandCANON G.m.b.H.Oberlaaerstrasse 233, 4th floor, 1100 Wien, AustriaCANON España, S.A.C/Joaquín Costa, 41, 28002 Madrid, SpainSEQUE Soc. Nac. de Equip., Lda.,Praça da Alegria, 58, 2°, 1250 Lisboa, Portugal
CANON LATIN AMERICA, INC. DEPTO DE VENTAS6505 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 325, Miami, FL33126 U.S.A.CANON LATIN AMERICA, INC. CENTRO DE SERVICIO Y REPARACIONApartado 2019, Zona Libre de Colón, República de Panamá
CANON HONGKONG CO., LTD.9/F, The Hong Kong Club Building, 3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
CANON AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.1 Thomas Holt Drive, North Ryde, N.S.W. 2113, AustraliaCANON NEW ZEALAND LTD.Fred Thomas Drive, P.O. Box 33-336, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
CANON SALES CO., INC.12-15, Mita, 3-Chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8011, Japan
U.S.A.
CANADA
EUROPE, AFRICA
& MIDDLE EAST
CENTRAL & 
SOUTH AMERICA
ASIA
OCEANIA
JAPAN
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							●Symbols used in this Instructions booklet:
: Warning for preventing camera malfunction.
: Supplementary notes for basic camera operation.
: Helpful tip for operating your camera and taking pictures.
• Page numbers in parentheses indicate where you can find more
information.
• Also read “Handling Precautions” on page 6 to prevent faulty
pictures and camera mishaps.
• Retain this Instructions manual for future reference.
Thank you for purchasing a Canon product.
The EOS-3 is the world’s first high-performance AF single-lens reflex\
camera with Eye-Control area AF. The camera’s many features can suit
diverse picture-taking requirements from fully automatic operations to
highly specialized applications. It also retains the simple electronic d\
ial
operation found on other top-tier EOS cameras.
Before using the camera, read this Instructions booklet and familiarize
yourself with the camera.
● Precautions
•Before using the camera for important events such as a weddings,
be sure to take test shots to make sure the camera operates
properly.
• EOS cameras have a lens mount fitted with electrical contacts for
dedicated operation (autofocusing, exposure control, etc.) with
Canon EF lenses. Using a non-EF lens with an EOS camera may
not result in proper camera or lens operation.
Also, the warranty does not cover any malfunction or damage
occurring with the use of non-Canon lenses.
3
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							4
Before You Start
Contents
Quick Start With
Program AE
Autofocus (AF)
Metering Modes
Shooting Modes
Flash Photography
Custom Functions
Reference Section
Handling Precautions ...........................6
Nomenclature .......................................9
1. Basic Operation ...........................16
2. Installing the Battery and  Checking the Battery Level ..........21
3. Mounting and Detaching a Lens ..23
Program AE........................................30
Shifting the Program ..........................31
1. AF Mode Selection ......................34 AF Modes ....................................35
2. Area AF Ellipse and  Focusing Points ...........................37
3. Focusing Point Selection .............38 ●Automatic Selection .................38
1. Selecting a Metering Mode ..........54
2. Metering Modes ...........................55 Evaluative Metering ( ) .............55
1. Shutter Speed-Priority AE ( Tv): 
You Set the Shutter Speed ..........62
2. Aperture-Priority AE ( Av): 
You Set the Aperture ...................65
3. Depth-of-field AE ( DEP): 
You Set the Depth of Field ...........68
Depth-of-field AE with a Manually-
Selected Focusing Point ..............68
Depth-of-field AE with Eye-Selected
Focusing Points ...........................70
1. Flash Photography with Speedlite 550EX ..........................................92
1. Setting and Canceling Custom Functions ...................................104
1. Troubleshooting Guide ..............128
2. Exposure Warning List ...............130
3. Program Line .............................131
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5
Conventions Used in this Instructions Booklet .........................................13 Attaching the Strap.............................14
4. Loading Film ................................24 Setting the Film Speed ................26 5. Unloading Film .............................28
Midroll Rewind ( ) ...................28
Dioptric Adjustment Lenses ...............32
●Manual Selection .....................38
● Eye-Control Selection ..............38
About Eye-Control AF ..................41
Eye-Control Calibration ................42
4. Eye-Control One-Shot AF Mode ..47
5. Eye-Control AI-Servo AF Mode ...48 6. Focusing an Off-Center Subject ..49
●AF Sensitivity and the Lens’ 
Maximum Aperture...................50
7. When Autofocus Fails ..................51
8. Manual Focusing .........................52
Partial Metering ( ) ....................55
Spot Metering ( ).......................55
Centerweighted Metering ( ) .....56 Focusing Point-Linked 
Spot Metering ..............................56
Multi-Spot Metering ......................57
4. Manual Exposure (M): You Set the
Shutter Speed and Aperture ........73
5.
Setting Exposure Compensation...75
6. Autoexposure Bracketing  (AEB) ...........................................77
Canceling AEB .............................78
7. AE Lock .......................................79
8.
Setting the Film Speed Manually...81
9. Multiple Exposures ( )...............82 10.
buLbExposures ...........................84
11. Switching the  Film Advance Mode .....................85
12. Self-timer Operation .....................87 Attaching the Eyepiece Cover .....88
13. Mirror Lockup ...............................89
14. Depth-of-field Preview .................90
15. LCD Panel Illumination ................90
2. Using Other EOS-Dedicated Speedlites ..................................100 3. Using Non-Canon Flash Units ...101
2. Custom Function Settings ..........106 3. Index of Custom Functions ........124
4. Shutter Speed and Aperture Readouts ...................................132
5. Interchanging the  Focusing Screen ........................133 6. Major Accessories .....................135
Major Specifications .........................140
Custom Function Symbols ...............145 
						

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							Handling Precautions
Camera Care and Storage
( 1 ) The camera is a precision instrument. Do not drop it or subject it tophysical shock.
( 2 ) This camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. If the camera gets really wet, promptly consult your nearest Canon Service
Center. Wipe off any water droplets with a dry cloth. If the camera
has been exposed to salty air, wipe with a well-wrung damp cloth.
( 3 ) Do not leave the camera in places prone to excessive heat such as in a car on a sunny day. Excessive heat can cause the camera to
malfunction.
( 4 ) The camera contains precision electronic circuitry. Never attempt to disassemble the camera.
( 5 ) Use only a blower brush to blow away dust on the lens, viewfinder eyepiece, focusing screen, film compartment, and mirror. Do not use
an organic solvent-containing cleaner to clean the camera body or
lens. For stubborn dirt, consult your nearest Canon Service Center.
( 6 ) The shutter curtains are extremely thin. Use only a blower to clean. Be careful not to blow air too forcefully on the shutter curtains. The
shutter curtains can be easily deformed or damaged. Also, when
loading and unloading film, be careful not to touch the shutter
curtains.
(  7  )Do not touch the electrical contacts with your fingers. Otherwise
corrosion may develop on the contacts, resulting in improper camera
operation.
( 8 ) If the camera is not to be used for an extended period, remove the battery. Store the camera in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place. During
the storage period, release the shutter a few times once in a while.
(  9  )Avoid storing the camera in a laboratory, cabinet, etc., where
corrosive chemicals are present.
(10) If  the camera has not been used for an extended period or if the
camera is to be used for an important event, check the operation of
all the camera controls or take it to your nearest Canon Service
Center.
6
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							Handling Precautions
(11) After detaching the lens from the camera, put on the lens caps or putdown the lens with the rear end up to avoid scratching the lens
surface and electrical contacts.
(12) Even when the Main switch is set to < >, a small amount of power is still supplied to the camera’s LCD panel. However, this does not
affect the number of film rolls which can be taken with the battery.
LCD Panel
In time, the camera’s LCD (liquid-crystal display) panel indication\
s may
become light and difficult to read. If this happens, have it replaced (\
at
cost) by a Canon Service Center.
At low temperatures, the display response of the LCD panel may become
slower. And at 60˚C or higher temperatures, the display may blacken. \
In
either case, the display will return to normal at room temperature.
Blinking “ ” on the LCD panel
If the battery power falls to a very low level or a camera misoperation \
or
malfunction occurs, “ ” will blink on the LCD panel. In such a case,
follow the procedure below:
( 1  )Press the battery check button to check the battery power. If the
battery power is low, replace the battery.
( 2 ) If the battery power is normal, remove the battery and reload it.
( 3 ) Release the shutter once.
If the “ ” then turns off, the camera is back to normal. However, if this
procedure is repeated and “ ” still continues to blink, the camera has a
malfunction. Take it to your nearest Canon Service Center.
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							Handling Precautions
About the Battery
The camera operates only after the battery is properly installed (see p\
age
21). Check the battery power in the following cases:
(1) After replacing the battery.
(2) After not using the camera for an extended period.
(3) The shutter does not work.
(4) The camera is being used in a low-temperature environment.
(5) Before using the camera for an important event.• Before installing the battery, wipe the battery contacts to remove any
fingerprints and smudges. This is to prevent faulty connections and
corrosion.
• Never disassemble or recharge the battery. Also, never store a battery
in high-temperature places or short circuit the battery contacts or toss\
a battery into a fire.
• Although lithium batteries work well even in low temperatures, battery
performance may suffer slightly in freezing temperatures. In such a
case, keep a spare battery warm in a pocket, etc., and use and warm
the batteries alternately.
Low Battery Power
Even when  is not displayed or when it blinks on the LCD panel, a
correctly-exposed picture can still be taken as long as the shutter can \
be
released. However, when the battery power runs out, there may not be
enough power to advance and rewind the film automatically. “ ” will
then blink on the LCD panel. After the battery is replaced with a new on\
e,
film advance will resume automatically or film rewind will continue when\
the midroll film < > is pressed.
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							Nomenclature
•Reference page numbers are indicated in parentheses.
• In the text, camera controls are indicated by their respective icons.
9
Lens mount 
Lens mount index (page 23)
Focusing screen
Lens lock pin
Lens release button 
(page 23)
Strap eyelet (page 14)
Camera back lock release
button (page 24)
Camera back lever (page 24)
Remote control socket cover 
Quick-lock remote control
socket 
PC terminal (page 101)
Motor drive coupling pin 
Positioning pin holeMirror (page 89)
Self-timer lamp (page 87)
Shutter button (page 16)
Depth-of-field preview button
(page 90)
Grip (page 21)
Grip screw 
(page 21)
Tripod socket 
Electrical contacts 
(page 23)
Motor drive coupler cover 
Battery release lever 
(page 21)
Contacts 
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							 Metering mode button / 
< >Exposure compensation 
button (page 54, 97)
  Shooting mode 
selector (page 30)
  AF mode button
(page 34)
  Film advance 
mode buttons (page 85)
  Film speed button
(page 81)
  AEB buttons 
(page 77)
Eyepiece
Eyecup
Film window
  Main switch (page 16)
  Midroll rewind button (page 28)
  Quick Control Dial 
ON/OFF switch (page 19)
Nomenclature
Side Door Buttons
10
  Custom Function set button (page 104)
  Battery check button (page 22)
  Multiple exposure button (page 82)
  Clear button (page 20)
Hot shoe
X-sync contact
 Eye-Control switch (page 40)
  LCD panel illumination button
(page 90)
LCD panel (page 11)
  FE lock button / Multi-
spot metering button 
(pages 57, 95)
  Exposure compensation
button / Aperture button 
(pages 73, 76)
 Main Dial 
(page 17)
  Focusing
point selector 
(page 38)
Side door
  AE lock button (page 79)
  Quick Control Dial (page 19)
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