We have obtained CCD BV photometry for the open cluster Pismis 3 and a
nearby field. This previously unstudied object appears to be rich, lo
ose and strongly absorbed. Our analysis suggests that Pismis 3 is of i
ntermediate age and probably metal poor. Adopting the theoretical meta
l content Z = 0.008, which provides the best global fit, we obtain an
age of about 2 Gyr. Simultaneously a color excess E(B-V) = 1.35 and an
apparent distance modulus (m - M) = 14.70 are derived. These results
put Pismis 3 about 1.5 Kpc distant from the Sun. The relation of the c
luster with the surrounding field is also investigated.