meter accuracy w/silver oxide cells

[fred aspen]

I just purchased an old 35 EL that hadn't been used for many years. I cleaned

it up and fashioned an insulating sleeve out of clear blister pack and inserted

4-357 watch batteries and the camera came to life. First indications (in the

viewfinder) showed the shutter speed to be too high for the light conditions,

however, after processing the first roll, the exposures seem to be just fine

even though the meter is beyond 500 for 100 ISO film at f8 in bright sunny

conditions. My available light shots seem to be fine also so linearity is

apparently good. I judge the negative density to be excellent for so simple a

system.

 

I have read voraciously in this forum before purchasing and I have noted that

most folks don't seem to notice an exposure difference using silver oxide

(1.55V) cells in place of the original mercury battery, but some have said they

do. This tells me there is perhaps a voltage regulation circuit in the camera

to compensate for varying battery voltages.

 

Is this a true statement?

 

Secondly, exactly what is the 'Minox battery adapter' that folks speak of? Does

it contain a dropping diode such as the Bogen unit for the old Luna Pro meters?

Why is it so expensive and is there anything wrong with my approach with the

watch battery/plastic sleeve solution?

 

Thanks!

 

Ron

[MTC Photography]

Ron, for Minox 35 cameras, the Minox offical solution to the discontinuation PX27 mercury cell is to use two CR1/3N lithium 3v cells.<P>

The Minox battery adapter is used for Minox 8x11 cameras, such as LX,TLX,C,EC etc; it is a plastic sleeve with metal contacts at both

ends and holds four 386 silver oxide cells.

[fred aspen]

Thanks for the response, Martin. I have read an awful lot of your most helpful contributions.

 

Can you speak to the issue of meter accuracy/voltage regulation? Should the official Minox solution of 2-3V lithium cells perform differently than my quick solution just moments after I received the camera? And does it differ greatly from the performance of the old mercury cell configuration?

Thanks!

 

Ron

[MTC Photography]

Ron, I find no perceivable difference when using 2 CR1/3N lithium vs

px27 in my Minox 35ML or GT-E, also don't see any difference in

my Minox C, TLX when switched over from px7 to 4x 386.<P>

There are many variables in the whole process, particulary in B&W photograhy.. such a different kinds of developer, slightly different

development temperature, (1 degree difference in temperature may cause

10% development time change), the type of paper for printing, the type

of developer for print development etc etc. Hence any change in

negative often masked by all these other factors. The key is adjust

your development time<P>

You may check the exposure meter of you Minox vs a known exposure meter (Gossen or Sekonic, for example), then adjust the ISO dial

to compensate. However I doubt this is necessary nor helpful, unless

you send this camera out to calibrate the accuracy of shutter. Even so, a calibrated shutter can still be off by + or - 10% and considered

within spec. <P>

[fred aspen]

Thanks, Martin.

[fred aspen]

Martin, I just returned from a trip to TX and did several rolls of slide film not expecting too much from the EL and its meter first trip out and set to box speed. I was more than pleasantly pleased with the exposure and color saturation from the camera. Meter was right on the money and did not over-react to hot spots. All in all, a very nice result from an ultra compact camera!