Batteries
Batteries for film cameras
Many old cameras used mercury batteries that no longer exist. Check what your camera needs and what to use instead.
Reti is free and ad-free We build Reti after hours, out of love for photography. If one of the tools helped you, you can buy us a coffee. Buy us a coffee on Ko-fi →| Camera | Battery (tap for a replacement) |
|---|---|
| Canon AE-1, AE-1 Program, A-1, AT-1 | PX28 (6 V) |
| Canon FTb, F-1 (first version) | PX625 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Canon Canonet QL17 GIII | PX625 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Minolta SRT 101 / 303 | PX625 / MR-9 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Minolta X-700, X-300, XD | 2 × SR44 / LR44 |
| Nikon FM, FM2, FE, FE2 | 2 × SR44 / LR44 or 1 × CR1/3N |
| Nikon F3 | 2 × SR44 / LR44 |
| Olympus OM-1 | PX625 / MR-9 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Olympus OM-2, OM-10 | 2 × SR44 / LR44 |
| Olympus Trip 35 | no battery (selenium cell) |
| Pentax Spotmatic (SP) | PX400 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Pentax K1000 | 1 × SR44 / LR44 |
| Pentax ME Super, MX | 2 × SR44 / LR44 |
| Leica M6 | 2 × SR44 / LR44 or 1 × CR1/3N |
| Rollei 35 (classic) | PX625 (1.35 V, mercury) |
| Yashica Electro 35 | PX32 (5.6 V, mercury) |
| Zenit-E | no battery (selenium cell) |
Replacements
- PX625 / MR-9 Mercury batteries are no longer made. Simplest fix: an MR-9 adapter with a diode (takes an SR43, voltage drops to about 1.35 V). A 675 zinc-air cell (1.4 V) in a spacer ring also works, but lasts only a few weeks. A regular 625A alkaline (1.5 V) fits, but the meter may read off: compare it with a digital camera or the phone light meter.
- PX400 Replacement: a silver-oxide SR41 in an adapter ring, or a ready-made replacement cell with a diode (1.35 V). Without a diode the meter may be slightly off; compare with a digital camera.
- PX32 Replacement: 4 × LR44 / SR44 in a sleeve (adapter) the size of a PX32. Shops selling film camera accessories have them.
- PX28 Easy to find: 4LR44 (alkaline) or 4SR44 (silver-oxide, holds its voltage longer). Without a battery the Canon AE-1 won't fire the shutter.
- SR44 / LR44 Available everywhere. Silver-oxide SR44 cells hold their voltage more steadily than alkaline LR44, so the meter stays accurate to the end.
- Selenium cell A selenium cell makes its own current from light. It weakens with age: compare its reading with a digital camera or the phone light meter.
Before you buy, check the battery in your camera's manual. Camera not on the list? Write to kontakt@reti.pl and we'll add it.