max_pirsky

<p>Keith, I opened up the manual and did some quick research about the batteries for the Canon AE1 Program. Here are the batteries recommended in the manual:<br> 1. Alkaline A544 (4LR44)<br> 2. Silver Oxide 544 (PX 28 or 4SR44)<br> 3. Lithium PX 28L<br> <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/4LR44-battery-open-closed.jpg">Here are the internals of an A544 battery</a><br> As you can see, inside are 4 LR44 batteries (hence the name 4LR44). The 357s are SR44 batteries, four of which make exactly one PX28 battery. Could you please explain how the two are any different, as I'm having trouble making sense of this? (by no means do I understand much about batteries or electronics)<br> Thanks.</p>

<p>Just got 4x357 Silver Oxide batteries. I'm using the same adapter as the LR44s and the batt. check button produces rapid beeping as it should. Will update if I start seeing similar issues. If not, the problem must be with using Alkaline batteries. Could anyone share whether their AE1 Program batt. check button works as it should with Alkalines?</p>

<p>Hi Guys, tested the camera yesterday, shutter still fires fine, light meter seems to be working.<br> The batt test button makes one beep then goes silent.<br> Steve - I wrote before that the guy at the store checked the batteries with a volt meter and they were at full charge. <br> Can anyone using Alkaline batteries tell me if they've experienced anything similar with the batt. check button? I'm having trouble finding 6v. Silver Oxide batteries where I live. I've found 357 Lithium batteries, so might try 4 of these with the adapter I was talking about.</p>

<p>It's just one single beep. If I keep pressing the button over and over it eventually stops as if the battery doesn't have any power left. The meter still seems to be working though, will let you know in the following days if the shutter stops working (when I have time to finish shooting the roll of film that's in there right now). I think I'll also try to find a Lithium or Silver Oxide battery to replace the Alkaline that's in there right now. I had a similar issue with brand new Alkaline batteries in a Nikon FE where after a few days the batt check light stopped flashing...</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies, everyone. Right now - two days later (after installing fresh batteries, as described) the battery check button makes one long beep and then stops beeping whatsoever, as if out of power. I have film in the camera, took a few shots yesterday, everything seemed normal in terms of metering and shutter speed. Should I just completely ignore the battery check button? I'm interested to know if this is a normal thing that happens with Alkaline batteries in these cameras.<br> Jos - I use a converter which basically looks like a 6v battery, so contact areas are the same, if I understand you correctly.</p>

<p>Hi everyone, I just got a Canon AE-1 Program.<br> When pressing the battery check button, I would receive rapid beeping, and then after a while it'd slow down. So I figured that it's probably an old battery and needs to be replaced (came with the camera after all - a 6v. Silver Oxide). I went to a camera shop near my house who recommended to get 4xLR44 batteries with a converter (one that looks like a 6v battery, which holds 4 LR44 batteries), since they were out of 6v batteries. So I went and got that with four Maxell Alkaline 1.5v batteries. Now the issue I'm having is that when I press the batt. check button - the beeping is really slow, like 3 beeps a second tops, which I know usually means that there's not enough power. Though the meter and shutter speeds seem to be working fine. I'm also certain the batteries are at full charge since the guy at the store checked them right in front of me. Is this something I should be worried about? Should I look for a Lithium or Silver Oxide 6v battery instead of using this converter with Alkaline LR44s?<br> Appreciate the help, guys!</p> <p>Cheers,<br> Max</p>

<p>Hey Charles, that's good to know about the batteries. I had no idea about the alkaline vs. silver oxide. I'll try to get my hands on a pair of SR44 (I'm pretty sure the ones the camera came with are silver oxide, but can't find them). Not sure whether this will solve the problem though. </p>

<p>I'm using 2x1.5v LR44 batteries</p>

<p>Mike, I'm almost sure that the issue is not the lens' diaphragm. It's quick and smooth when the lever is moved.<br> The strange thing which I've already mentioned is that this doesn't seem to ever happen when there's no film loaded.</p>

<p>Hey Paul, yup the batteries are brand new. The old batteries were also checked by the camera shop where I replaced them, who said they're at full charge. There's another thing I just noticed. The camera came with a set of batteries (I have no idea how long they were in there). When I received it, the battery check light was working normally. Now with the new batteries after a few days the light stopped working, but all speeds and auto metering work fine as far as I can tell.</p>

<p>Hi Everyone, I bought a Nikon FE a couple of weeks ago, which I absolutely love so far. It is the most comfortable manual film camera I've used. There's one thing which bothers me a little. In my first roll of film, one of the frames which I shot at 1/125 was overexposed and with heavy motion blur, as if the speed at which it was shot was much slower. I noticed this right when it happened, as it took a while for the mirror to come back down. I've since shot another roll, in which the same issue seems to have happened in several shots (at speeds around 1/125, 1/250). The new film should be developed by tomorrow evening so I'll know for sure if the problem was only with the mirror coming down or with the shutter not closing on time. <br> I've tried replicating this without film in the camera and everything seems to work normally. All speeds sound as they should, including 1/125 and 1/250. I can't find any logic to this...<br> Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?</p> <p>-Max</p>

<p>Thanks for your help, everyone. I really appreciate all the comments in this thread, there's lots of great ideas :) I've actually just received a Yashica Mat as a birthday present, so that's the new toy I'll be playing with in the near future. Will also look into finding a super compact rangefinder with a wide aperture portrait lens - something like the Canonet.</p>

<blockquote> <p>The OM-1 is a fully-manual camera with coupled meter; the wrinkle is that they were made for mercury batteries, so you'd be looking for one that's been adjusted to take more modern batteries, or have use zinc-air batteries or Wein cells. The OM-2N avoids that problem and offers you either manual metered or aperture-priority AE mode (plus an ingenious 'Off' that isn't really). The OM-3 will cost you your first- born, and the OM-4Ti is bloody amazing (but its finder is slightly dimmer than that of the OM-1 and -2). </p> </blockquote> <p>I've actually found the OM-1n locally for a good price, but the issue with the batteries makes me hesitate. I couldn't find out which batteries the OM-1n uses, but the other OM models use non-existent batteries and their meter doesn't work well with modern ones. So for now I guess I'll not rely on purchasing an OM.</p> <blockquote> <p>However for something different and inexpensive that will accept the same lenses and flashes, why not try an EOS RT with the pellicle mirror? On an RT especially check the shutter bumper before purchase.</p> </blockquote> <p>The thing is - I have only 1 lens for the Canon, the 50mm 1.8, which I also use for my digital camera. I was thinking of changing the brand because most Canons are plastic and bulky. If I don't find anything a bit more compact and well-built I'll probably just grab another similar Canon and keep on using my old fifty.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for all your replies, guys! This is probably the most helpful community in the world :D</p> <blockquote> <p>From personal experience I can recommend an Olympus OM-2N (or any OM-1 if you have an external meter) for the quality of its viewfinder, its compact size and quick handling, and its reasonable choice of good lenses; or a Fujica ST-705 </p> </blockquote> <p>As I've mentioned, I'm looking for something that has a light meter, as I don't own an external one and think it's a bit too bothersome to measure with an external (at least for now). I'll probably have to get one later on when I start shooting more medium format.<br /><br /></p> <blockquote> <p>The OM cameras and glass are superb and much more compact and lighter.I've never owned any OM gear but have seen a lot of it around and it appears robust enough for most people.</p> </blockquote> <p>The only thing I'm not sure about with the OM series is that I wouldn't have control over the shutter speed. <br /><br /></p> <blockquote> <p>You can get addicted to the RF ease of handling. The Canonet is a fine user and the 2.8s are just as easy to use and the one stop is real price breaker compared to the QIII17. But you brought this model up.. there are plenty others with similar features.</p> </blockquote> <p>Could you recommend any other ones? I'm looking for a lens that would be around 50mm and possibly with a wide aperture for nice DOF :)<br /><br /></p> <blockquote> <p>As someone told me many years ago eventually you will buy a Leica and whether or not you keep it is up to you.</p> </blockquote> <p>When I have the cash, I'll surely be investing in a Leica.</p> <blockquote> <p>Pentax ME Super. Nice lenses, easy to change shutter speeds, small and comfortable to handle, and quite reliable. If you don't mind the lack of DOF preview, it's an excellent SLR.</p> </blockquote> <p>I've never really used the DOF preview on any camera, so that's not really an issue. Is it just me or the ME doesn't have a shutter speed dial?<br /><br /></p> <blockquote> <p>Nikon FE - I'm going back to my roots. When I carry this with the 50mm f1.8, I'm invincible. It's moderately sized for an SLR, moderate weight, built like a tank, looks good, operates exactly as you expect, meters like a dream, and that lens is killer sharp, contrasty, and colorful.</p> </blockquote> <p>That camera just looks purely awesome. If I can get my hands on one I'll be purchasing it for sure! For now I've found one on Ebay selling with a 50 1.8 for around 200£ with shipping to the EU.<br /><br /></p> <blockquote> <p>IMHO anything with a button battery is too inconvenient in 2014. Look for something with AA, AAA, or CR123 batteries. Nikon L35AF, Olympus Stylus Epic, or late model Konica C35's are my favorites.</p> </blockquote> <p>The Konica C35 looks great. I'll try to find one at a good price. What's your opinion on the Konica TC or T3? I just found some good local offers on these two.<br> </p> <blockquote> <p>I also have Canonet, Konica and Minolta rangefinder types, but I still favor my slrs for some reason.<br /></p> </blockquote> <p>As mentioned before, I hope I can get my hands on the FE. It looks like a great camera to own! How is that Canonet? :)</p>

<p>Hi everyone, <br> I've been shooting film for around two years now and recently my Canon EOS 50 broke.. now I need to replace it with some new old camera :) I'd like to try something that is more compact than the EOS 50 - it doesn't have to be Canon though, I'm open to suggestions.<br> I usually use full manual settings and having a decent light meter is important. I shoot mostly street and portraits. I prefer something where I can control the aperture, but would also be interested in playing around with a rangefinder camera to see if I like it.<br> Unfortunately I don't have a budget for a Leica, otherwise I probably wouldn't be posting this..<br> <br />Here's a few options I've been looking at:<br> Pentax K1000<br> Olympus OM-20<br> Minolta SRT 202<br> Canonet G3</p> <p>Oh, also - comfortable controls is something I really appreciate. Quick shutter speed changing, etc. This is something that isn't great with the old film cameras, I've been told.<br> Anyway, I'm really looking forward to hearing some opinions and reccomendations. thanks!</p> <p>-Max</p>