Photomic meter ftn

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

August 2004
(updated May 2008)

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

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

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 from the bottom and push in the new battery from the top.

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)

( 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:1st Class Mail P&P
Europe: Air Mail P&P
(see rates for each below)
(posted next working day)
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!

I don't know how much longer I will be making them.

email me with questions:
paulbg(a t)ukonline.co.uk
( 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: 1st Class Royal Mail

Europe: Air Mail:

USPS: USA/Can/Aus/Jp

(all posted next working day whenever possible)

(updated May 2008)

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)

Aug 07: Brass prices have tripled in the last 12 months, I am holding these prices until my current brass stock runs out (v.soon) if you want to beat the increase buy!