p.s. If you have noticed anywhere with lower prices, please e-mail me to let me know.
Battery Technologies
Mercuric Oxide: Mercury batteries were commonly used in many classic cameras of the 1960s and 1970s for their CdS (cadmium sulfide) metering systems. Mercuric oxide batteries provide a constant and stable 1.35 volts over most of their life. This means that the camera does not have to have voltage regulation circuitry, considerably lowering the cost of production. Unfortunately, mercury batteries were outlawed in the U.S. in the 1980s and are not readily available anymore. However, all is not lost. There are several solutions below.
Alkaline (manganese dioxide): This is the chemistry used in your standard alkaline battery (C, D, AA, AAA, etc.). New batteries give 1.5 volts which quickly declines over the life of the battery. Alkaline batteries have high internal resistance which means they will not discharge quickly. This reduces their usefulness in high-drain devices such as camera flashes or motor drives.
Silver-Oxide: Starting in the 1970s, camera manufacturers started to move to silver-oxide "button" batteries. Silver-oxide batteries provide 1.55 volts fresh out of the can, but then the voltage slowly drops over the life. Not as much as alkaline batteries, but more than mercuric-oxide. This means that cameras could not depend on the voltage being stable and started to use what are called "bridge circuits" to reduce the effect of the falling voltage.
Lithium: Into the late 1990s, even relatively simple mechanical cameras such as the Leica M7 were power-hungry as they had sophisticated CPU units drawing power. Camera manufacturers started to push the use of lithium batteries. Based on light metal chemistry, lithium batteries have incredible storage capacity for their size -- many times that of alkaline or silver-oxide batteries. They also have much better cold weather performance as well as a shelf-life of 10+ years. The only downside is that lithium is a pollutant, so dispose of your lithium batteries at an approved recycling center.
Rechargeables: Nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries are rapidly being eclipsed by newer Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) rechargeables. In the common AA size, NiMH batteries can store up to 2400 mAH. Unlike alkalines, NiMH have low internal resistance which makes them ideal for the fast refresh cycles of camera flashes (warning: not all flash units are compatible with NiCad/NiMH batteries).
Classic Camera Batteries
| Type | Used In | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| PX-27 5.6V xxg xxD x xxH mm.
Discontinued |
Minox 35 GL and
other Minox cameras |
1) Four 1.5v SR44 batteries, a PX-28A or PX28S can be used for cameras that don't mind the voltage difference. 2) Minox used to sell an adapter for the Minox 35 that would allow SR44 batteries, you may be able to still obtain one at a camera store or ebay. |
| PX-32
5.6V 36g 17.0D x 44.5H mm.
Discontinued |
Yashica GSN
Left to right: 25c spring, alkaline PX-28,
and the original PX-32. |
1) Many cameras including the GSN can take a PX-28A 6V alkaline battery with a small spring inserted to take up slack (see Matt Denton's solution). Wrap the PX-28 in some cardboard to make it roughly the same diameter as the PX-32, then use the spring to take up the difference in length. 2) Four 1.5v LR44 batteries can also be used, similar to solution #1. 3) Some stores (check PhotoBattery.com) still have the discontinued 6V alkaline PX-32A batteries, although these may be older stock. Check the expiration dates. 4) Some cameras (not the GSN) require adjustment to the metering circuitry for the difference between 5.6V and 6V batteries. 5) Yashica Guy adaptor or the CRIS HM4N Adaptor and alkaline PX28A batteries. These contain diodes to take the voltage down to 5.6V.
|
| PX-400
1.35V 1.40g 11.6Dx3.60H mm. Discontinued |
Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP, SPII, SPIIa, etc. |
1) The 1.55v silver oxide Energizer E387S is an exact fit. This is also sold as the Radio Shack 387S (RSU #11608452), but is a special RSU order. PhotoBattery.com has the S400PX as a replacement. 2) Both of the above are 1.55v silver oxide. They work with the Spotmatic which has voltage regulating bridge circuitry, but other older cameras may be more problematic. 3) CRIS H-B Adaptor and silver 377 batteries. The CRIS adaptor has a diode to take it down to the proper voltage, although the Spotmatic doesn't need the lower voltage. 4) Wein zinc-air cell have a stable voltage over their life and are thus suited to many older cameras. The disadvantage is that these only last a few months. Sources for Wein cells noted below. |
| PX-625
1.35V 4.20g 16.0Dx6.2H mm. Discontinued |
Canon Canonet Miranda Sensorex Yashica Lynx 14 Yashica-Mat 124/124G
|
1) Many cameras can take a PX625A 1.5V alkaline (aka Energizer E625G) battery directly 2) Others can take a PX-625A with adjustments made to the metering circuitry. You can solder your own diode in directly, if you have the right skills (don't ask me, I don't). PhotoBattery.com has PX625A replacements. 3) Wein zinc-air cell. The disadvantage is that these only last a few months. Sources for Wein cells noted below. 4) CRIS MR 9 Adaptor and silver 386 batteries. The CHRIS adaptor has a diode to take it down to the proper voltage. |
|
PX-640
1.35V 7.94g 15.9D x 11.2H mm.
Discontinued |
Minolta Hi-Matic
|
1) The Yashica GX can take a 1.5v SR44 silver cell with some tin foil wadding directly 2) Apparently the Hi-Matic can take a LR44 as well, but I have not tested this. Beware! 3) Paul Birkeland-Green has been making custom adapters for a while for the Nikon F meter |
| PX-675
1.35V 11.6D x 5.4H mm.
Discontinued |
Petri Color 35
|
1) Some cameras can take a 1.5V SR44 silver-oxide battery instead. The height is the same but the diameter is slightly smaller. |
| Eveready No. 504
15V 88mAh also Alkaline 15.9g 15.1D x 34.9H mm.
Still being manufactured |
Zeiss, Canon, Minox, and Rollei 16S AG-1 flash units |
1) These are still being manufactured. Most speciality stores should have them. This isn't a mercury cell, but still odd enough to note on this page. 2) BatteriesPlus and PhotoBattery.com stock them regularly. |
| Eveready No. 505
22.5V 84mAh 15.9g 15.1D x 50.9H mm.
Still being manufactured |
Bolsey flash unit Ricoh 500 flash unit  |
1) These are still being manufactured. Most speciality stores should have them. This isn't a mercury cell, but still odd enough to note on this page. 2) Radio Shack stocks it as Catalog #960-2089, but it isn't a store item and must be RSU ordered. 3) Batteries Plus stocks them regularly. |
| Common Camera Batteries | ||
SR44 1.55V 160 mAh 11.8 D x 5.4 H mm |
Lots-n-lots of cameras, light meters, pocket alarm clocks, laser pointers, darkroom timers, calculators, etc.
|
This is a pretty popular size of watch battery. You should be able to get it in any drugstore or supermarket fairly easily. Make sure you get the silver-oxide SR-44 and not the "equivalent" but less powerful alkaline LR-44. Price check: |
LR44 1.5V 105 mAh 11.8 D x 5.4 H mm |
Lots-n-lots |
Exactly the same size as the silver-oxide SR44, the LR44 is a very common battery and should be readily available just about anywhere. Price check: ¥50 (¥100/2-pack; Can Do, Japan 2004.09) Note: This is the wimpy version of the silver-oxide SR44. It has much less power but is often half the price. Since a dead battery in a camera is a Very Bad Thing® and usually happens far far away from a camera store, I don't recommend the use of alkalines. Use the SR-44 instead. |
PX28S, PX-28 13.0 D x 25.2mm H 6.2V |
Yashica G models (w/ adaptor); Minox 35ML, Bronica GS-1, Canon AE-1; Asahi Pentax 6x7 (67) Hasselblad PME-51, 203FE, 205FCC.
|
These are not that easy to find in local stores. Zbattery.com is the only place that I've seen them regularly stocked. I use 4 x SR-44 batteries instead, wrapping them in cellotape. There is also a Lithium version PX28L or 2CR1/3N that is often cheaper. Price check: Note: The shelf-life of this is about 8 years. In a pinch, you can use 4 x SR44 batteries instead. |
PX28L 13.0mm D x 25.2mm H 6V 160mAh |
Yashica G models (w/ adaptor); Asahi Pentax 6x7 (67) Hasselblad PME-51, 203FE, 205FCC.
|
This is the same size as the PX28S / 4SR44 but because it is lithium, it is 6V instead of 6.2V. Most cameras will not mind. The lithium performs better in cold-weather conditions than the silver-oxide. Lithium cells have a shelf-life of about 10 years unused. Price check: Note: The shelf-life of this is about 10 years. In a pinch, you can use usually use 2 x CR1/3N batteries or 4 x SR 44 batteries instead. |
PX28A
13.0mm D x 25.2mm H 6V |
Yashica G models (w/ adaptor).
|
Price check: Note: This is the wimpy version of the Lithium PX28L or silver-oxide PX-28S. It has much less power but is almost the same price. Since a dead battery in a camera is a Very Bad Thing® and usually happens far far away from a camera store, I don't recommend the use of alkalines. |
2CR5 34 x 17 x 45 mm 6V 1300 mAh |
EOS 1v, 3, etc. |
This battery is commonly used in the Canon EOS professional film cameras. Its advantage was that it fit right into the battery grip. The 2CR5 looks suspiciously like two CR123A cells stuck together in a single package. I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to make an adapter since CR123A cells are pretty cheap. Price check: $2.50 (Amondotech 2005.05) |
CR 1/3N 11.8 D x 11.0 H mm 3V 160mAh |
Leica M6, M6TTL, M7, MP Nikon FE  |
This battery is used in the newer Leicas (M6/M7). It's rather rare, most stores don't reguarly stock them, so I buy in bulk when I find them cheap. Lithium cells have a shelf-life of about 10 years unused. The CR 1/3N is the same size as two SR-44 silver-oxide batteries, and in a pinch you can tape together two SR-44 cells, which can be bought just about anywhere. They won't last as long, but they're good in a pinch. Price check: |
CR123
17.1 D x 34.5mm H 3v 1300mAh |
Leica SF-20 flash, point and shoot cameras, smaller SLRs, high-end LED flashlights.
|
This is a pretty popular battery as it's used in a lot of point and shoot cameras and smaller, consumer SLRs. Popular high-power LED flashlights (3 and 5 watt versions) use CR123As. You can buy them at Radio Shack and larger drugstores for $5-10 each or online for much much cheaper. The advantage of the CR123A over AA batteries is that the CR123A can power about a gazillion flashes before running out and it has excellent low-temperature performance. $1.00 (Amondotech.com 2005.05) |
CR2
15.0 D x 27.0mm H 3v 750mAh |
Lots of point and shoot and consumer digital cameras. Konica Hexar RF
|
This is a pretty popular battery as it's used in a lot of point and shoot cameras and smaller, consumer SLRs. You can buy it at Radio Shack and larger drugstores or online for much less.
|
CR2032 20.0 D x 3.2mm H 3V 220mAh |
Gossen Digisix, Digiflash, darkroom timers, calculators, watches, etc.  |
This is a pretty popular watch/gadget battery. You should be able to get it in any drugstore or supermarket fairly easily. Price check: |
CR2430 24.0 D x 3.0mm H 3V 280mAh |
Suunto Advisor | This is pretty much only used in my altimeter/barometer/compass super-watch. Price check: |
