The absorptivity or reflectivity of crystals of V, Ta, and Mo was measured from 0.1 to 35 eV. The data were Kramers-Kronig analyzed to determine the dielectric functions. The inadequacy of a simple Drude model to describe absorption at low energy is discussed. Structure in the dielectric functions is discussed in terms of direct interband transitions which extend to about 18 eV. Features below 6 eV are attributed to transitions near Σ, G, and perhaps along P(D)N for V, Ta, and Mo, with additional transitions in Mo from the Δ portion of the Brillouin zone. High-lying energy bands are identified as giving rise to high-energy structure in the dielectric functions. Results obtained previously for Nb are reviewed and compared. The electron-energy-loss functions were calculated and are discussed in terms of volume and surface plasmons. These metals all exhibit two volume and two surface plasmons.