Nikon FM batteries

I recently came into a Nikon FM. It had batteries in it that didn't

seem to work, so I went out and bought two replacement 1.5 volt

silver oxide buttons (per the manual). After which the meter did

absolutely nothing. Appears to be completely dead.

 

After digging around the web a little more, I found a couple of

references to using "76" size or equivalent batteries. I don't have

the camera with me at the moment but I think I put in two

Energizer "357" size batteries. In any case, the ones I put in were

silver oxide buttons that fit the battery compartment of the camera.

 

Now I am wondering whether I ought to go spend $5 on two new 76

batteries. Although I am completeley ignorant on the subject, it

seems to me that if you put in two new silver oxides that fit the

camera, even if not the exact right size, you ought to get something

from the meter, even if the reading isn't accurate. I suspect that

the meter is gone, but am hopeful that someone will tell me all I

need is the correct "76" batteries.

 

Thanks in advance for your responses.

This is an "off-the-cuff" response, but I think the 76 batteries are basicly just the same as 2 of the buttons made into a single battery. I don't think you've got a battery issue with this camera. I suggest checking the contacts before you go to any major expense, but you probably need to take the camera to a repair shop.

 

Last thought, double check the polarity...don't intend to insult you, but I've done it and you'll feel a lot smarter if you double check before looking silly at a repair shop.

--evan

Also try cleaning the contacts with an eraser.

I just want to concur with the other responses. I have a Nikon FM. It does use the 2 of the 76 type batteries, but mine worked for a long time with the other type battery that is twice as tall as a 76. In short, either should work.

 

I also agree that you should try cleaning the contacts with an eraser or other light abrasive. You may also want to make sure that the contacts are "sprung" such that they actually make contact with the battery terminals with the battery installed.

 

Lastly, the polarity is easy to get backward and it will cause the meter to appear dead. With the 76 type batteries, it seems like one of them always "flips over" when trying to screw the cover on. It is worth the effort to double check it.

 

If the meter is dead after all that, it might be cheaper to buy another FM on ebay than to have it fixed. Or, you might want to become very good at the Sunny 16 rule.

The "76 type" batteries are either S-76 for silver oxide,

or A-76 for alkaline. They're both the same size.

Either is 1.5 volts apiece, and you need two of

them, for a total of three volts. The S-76

will give a more stable voltage over their lifetime, and

are preferred over the A-76.

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The other possibility is a lithium 1/3N battery, which

is shaped like two S-76 batteries stacked together,

and puts out three volts. It wasn't available when the

FM was designed, so the FM manual doesn't mention it,

but it works just fine (it's what I've been using in my

FM for the past dozen or more years). A single 1/3N lithium

battery is often cheaper than two S-76 batteries.

<p>

If the 357 batteries are putting out a total of three volts,

and if they're securely mating with the electrical contacts,

they should work, even though they're not exactly what

was intended. But I'd think it might be difficult to determine

for certain that they're mating with the contacts. I'd

try a 1/3N before I gave up on the meter entirely.

On the FE I have, I am constantly installing the batteries upsidedown. Make sure the flat + side is facing into the camera body and not the raised - side.

The battery compartment cap has a plastic piece that shows the battery orientation on the side, both graphically and with a plus and minus symbol. Also, the wind lever is the switch- you have to have it pulled out a click for the meter to work. If that and none of the above work, you probably have a dead FM.