Photomic meter ftn

also suits:
Other Cameras and Light Meters requiring PX625's

August 2004
(updated 28 June 2009)

Mercury battery replacement for PX625

"This replacement is RE-USABLE so you need only buy it once!"

www.paulbg.com

Buy online with your Debit/ Credit card , Bank account or PayPal

here

*See the 'Camerapedia' list of Cameras using the PX625
Mercury battery that my
adapter fits.

Also see:
the most comprehensive
article I have seen on this
subject by:
Frans de Gruijter
.pdf download (575KB)

July 2006
Many people have also bought these for a variety of Cameras and Light Meters requiring PX625's and report they are working correctly.

My adapter fitted
See: Leica CL
(Customers photo)

1000's sold worldwide to totally satisfied customers

"I just recommended your adaptors to a friend here at the office for his Pentax.
 A year or two ago, I purchase several adaptor rings for my FTn, Cannonet, and Luna-Pro.

The adaptors work wonderfully.

And, I seem to get very long life and constant voltage out of the zinc-air batteries that Costco sells here in Beaverton Oregon.
 Thanks Much!"

Mr.G. Moore, Oregon, USA     Mar.2008

"As a long-term user of several classic cameras designed for mercury batteries, Paul's adapter is the best yet; it is quick, convenient and inexpensive."
John Winfield, Bristol, UK, 2008
more feedback...

Much of the background to my research came from the excellent work by Robert Decker:

"...It appeared to me that the MR9 adapters are of no use for the Nikon F Photomic meter due to the resistance range of 650ohms-156Kohms.This alters the voltage and creates a large error in readings at most light levels."

In addition Alkaline PX625A gives 1.5v; which results in a 4 stop error on an ftn meter! Hard to compensate for on the ASA scale setting.

Silver Oxide is even worse at 1.55v

The use of 2-1.35v cells in the ftn compounds the error from 1.35v to 1.5 to 2.7v to 3.0v

also see:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/camera_batteries.htm

http://home.pcisys.net/~rlsnpjs/minolta/mercury.html

Re-usable adapter
with battery fitted

Adapter Also fits Zinc Air:

VT675, XL675, AP675, 675HPX, 675A, R675ZA, 675AE, L675ZA, AC675E, ME9Z, A675, DA675X, ZA675, V675AT, DA675H, AC675, 7003ZD, PR44, AC675E, V675A, B900PA, DA675, 675HPX, PR-675PA, PZA675

PX675 / PX76 / EPX675 / V675PX / MR44 / NR44 / H-C / HC / RPX675 / RM675 / 1128MP / HD675 / MR1154 / H1154

Like many others I discovered the ZA675 zinc-air battery used in hearing aids are 1.35v (even though the packet says 1.4v) and they are the right height ( almost? 0.6mm out) but they are not wide enough! and they are rated at 500mAh ( the PX625 was 450mAh...very close )

A rubber grommet might do the trick..but not on a photomic ftn or cameras that needs a metal to metal contact The top battery makes the + contact on the side of the battery compartment, so the battery casing must touch the side. Irritating isn't it! Also the top must have a 'shelf' for the screw down top.

My solution

First of all, I am not a manufacturer (although I did spend 15 years commercially repairing & restoring cameras). and my solution does work, it has 100's of satisfied users around the world!

Meter reading and results:

battery fit accuracy to +/0.05mm

Battery fitted with the 'push on fit' brass adapter. The lower edge of the ring has a bevelled edge for smoother contact in the meter housing.

To replace the battery: Push out the old battery and push in the new one.

Buy online with here

The meter is within 0.3stop against my Minolta Dynax meter. I don't know if it would be closer with Mercury batteries...but on a 30 year old meter I doubt it!

If you want it, it goes like this:
( all adapters are the same just choose the quantity you want )

( If your camera/meter used one of these mercury batteries my adapter will work/fit )

*There is no 100% replacement for the PX625 Mercury battery, nor will there ever be.

*My adapter also allows air to pass.between batteries. In 4 years o-one has indicated any problems

"Zinc Air batteries don't last as long as Mercury no matter what you do. (re-sealing the air holes is a myth)

When the batteries run out (3-6months is claimed?) you can remove the adapter(s) and fit to new ZA675 batteries! They work out around £3.90 (only around $5 in the US) for a pack of 6

Now! Also Exclusively available in the US from 'Glenn Harrington' (sole US supplier) order directly below.

CARRIAGE CHARGE

UK: Air Mail P&P
Europe: Air Mail P&P
(see rates for each below)
(posted 1-3 working days)
sorry not France

USA/CAN/Australia/Japan
(posted from US  with USPS )
(posted next working day)


Don't wait
If you want one, or you think you might  want one
...get it now!

email me with questions:
paul(a t)paulbg.com
( replace (a t) with @ )

OR BUY NOW, Order below:

"I don't have PayPal, what should I do?"
Now you can pay with your Debit/Credit card or Bank account

just follow the PayPal links opposite:

Use your PayPal account:


No SURCHARGE!

Will post to: UK, USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan
sorry not France

Posting: UK:
Royal Mail 1st Class.

Europe: Air Mail: 3-10 days

USPS: USA/Can/Aus/Jp

(all posted 1-3 working
days whenever possible)

(updated 28 June 2009 )

New stock UK/Europe/USA/World available now.

USA delivery times:
All US/Can/Jp orders are now dispatched directly from the US,
so US delivery 3days

I hope you will appreciate we cannot guarantee delivery times, but the US/UK post has been outstanding .

All these adapters are the same: PX625BG Whether you are buying for :Nikon, Leica, Gossen, Yashica, Olympus, or other.

Choose which quantity you require from the 4 options. (option 2 no longer available)