ulrich_weiss Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 Getting a 1.35V battery for my good old Spotmatic 1000 has become impossible (I still have 1 spare PX400). Is it true, that I can use 1.5V batteries instead and the meter will give accurate readings? You know, I still prefer KODACHROME 64 (for excellent contrast and unbeatable lifetime - the oldest and still excellent KODAK slides in our family are from the 50's), but the drawback is that you have to get the reading very exact. If not, is it possible to live with some awkward meter readings (let's say, top corner is "good")? Or should I search for a K1000 and a screw mount adapter? Thanks, Ulrich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers_. Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 Do a Google search for 'wein air cell' or some combination. It should lead to a zinc/air replacement for mercury. They aren't as good but better than guessing. There's something smooth about the Spotmatic that the K can't touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_stobbs2 Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 675 hearing aid batteries are zinc-air labelled as 1.4 volts. I have used themwith Kodachrome in old cameras that formerlyused mercury batteries with good results.They are of a different size than the mercurybatteries and require sleeving to fit. Theydo not last as long because they are smallerbut they are very cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_barts2 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I know some models of camera can be recalibrated to work with 1.5v batteries, but don't know if the Spotmatic is one of them. One thing to be aware of about the zinc-air cells is that if you use them, you'll be changing batteries a lot. Once activated, they start running down even if you don't put any load on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_barts2 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Right after composing my last response, I ran across the following URL: http://www.criscam.com/h-b.htm Disclaimer: never tried this product, just passing along news about its existance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Farrell Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 The Spotmatic has a bridge metering circuit - it is not voltage sensitive. Mine works happily on a 1.55v silver watch battery, and gives accurate meter readings. I have a foam ring in the battery compartment to keep the cell centered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulrich_weiss Posted April 20, 2003 Author Share Posted April 20, 2003 John,many thanks for your note. As a replacement for the V400PX (or PX 400) I found the watch battery type 392 (= SG3392 = LR41 = AG3 = SR41 = V384) most similar in thickness (a bit smaller in diameter, but it's easy to center the battery) - and it works!!! It gives exactly the same reading, despite 1.58V instead of 1.35V (and at a price of 1,- EURO for a set of two). Now all my equipment (think of that marvellous f 2.0/ 85mm portrait lens) is alive again - thanks a lot! What we are going to do is to use KODAKCHROME 64 for all the more important pictures because of it's superior longterm stability, buy a slide scanner to send Granny the latest news and invest in a cheap digital for all those Polaroid type documentary photos (home improvement etc.). Cheers,Ulrich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_mauerman Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 I have used the product from c.r.i.s. camera (adapts to use a 377 silver watch battery) and have been quite pleased. Haven't shot Kodachrome yet (just got the camera to replace one that was stolen years ago) but the color print and B&W rolls have come out beautifully. I am getting a second Spotmatic body to test with, and will try that with no mods to see how well it works. In the meantime, here is the URL: http:// www.criscam.com/h-b.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braine Posted May 19, 2003 Share Posted May 19, 2003 I see you've already found a "replacement" battery for your Pentax, but you might want to look for a "WeinCell MRB400". It is a 1.35V Zinc/Air battery made specifically for the Spotmatic cameras from the original SP through to the SP1000. It is made in China for a US company in California. It is marketed by THE TIFFEN COMPANY, 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, NY 14624 USA. I just got one for my SP for $8 Canadian. Cheers, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braine Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 See above :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masede Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Guys, I found the perfect replacement battery for the Pentax Spotmatic and others that require those PX400 mercury battery. Look for the Silver Oxide Watch Battery #389, 1.5V, capacity is 85 mAh and equivalents are: SR1130W, V389. The battery fits perfectly, it does not need to be centered, you just need to push it in a little while screwing the battery cover back in. I tested a roll for the accuracy of the meter and it is accurate. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_birkeland_green Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 This problem goes right across photography! I am offering a solution ( I must be mad, it's far too much work!)If you think this may help you, go for it! see: <A HREF="http://www.paulbg.com/Nikon_F_meter_batteries.htm">http://www.paulbg.com/Nikon_F_meter_batteries.htm</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_birkeland_green Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 MY APOLOGIES for the above posting...I put it in the wrong section Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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