Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/10/07

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Subject: [Leica] Mercury battery solution for M5, Leicaflex, etc.??
From: telyt at earthlink.net (Douglas Herr)
Date: Fri Oct 7 09:14:50 2005

Simon PJ wrote:
> A while ago I bought a stockpile of mercury batteries for my M5 and
> Leicaflexes. They're all a few years old now and appear to be going off.
> Even when 'new' out of the pack they don't send the cameras' battery check
> needles all the way to the 'ok' index. (However, meter readings on the
> cameras still look to be about right.)
> 
> So... What is people's experience with the performance of alternatives to
> the mercury batteries?
> 
> Do I really need to have each of the cameras re-calibrated to use current
> batteries? (I'm reluctant to send them all away.)
> 
> Is it still possible to get hold of 'fresh' mercury batteries for the
> cameras?
> 
> Many thanks,
> 
> Simon.

I've been re-calibrating using 625 silver-oxide batteries from 
http://photobattery.com/PX625.html.  The Canonet seems to have 
voltage-limiting circuitry so the higher-voltage battery works well.  The 
625 alkaline might be fine for the Canonet even as the voltage drops.


Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com