A76 vs S76 batteries with Nikon Cameras...your experience.

[MartinCrabtree]

Out of curiosity I searched and found the S76 battery is available. Why wouldn't you use it? I'm unaware of the reason don't give me grief just explain if you would.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Out of curiosity I searched and found the S76 battery is available. Why wouldn't you use it? I'm unaware of the reason don't give me grief just explain if you would.

The silver oxide versions cost a little more, and they are somewhat harder to find -- but in my opinion, they are worth the extra cost and effort. I would encourage everyone to buy S76 or SR44 batteries whenever practical, in the hopes that continued demand will keep them in production.

In 2021, I bought a used Konica Autoreflex T4, and in 2022 I sent it to Greg Weber. He recalibrated the meter to work with modern batteries. At that time Greg Weber was recommending the use of S625PX (silver oxide) batteries for my re-calibrated camera. Due to a chain of mishaps, misunderstandings, and bad luck, I did not get my camera back until August 2023. By that time there were no silver oxide batteries available in the S625PX size. None.

The correct size batteries for my Konica T4 are still available in the alkaline chemistry (PX625A and similar), but not in silver oxide. I decided I would rather use the smaller silver oxide S76 or SR44 batteries in a (dumb) adapeter to make them fit -- as opposed to using the correct size in the alkaline chemistry.

Greg Weber says the camera meter will work correctly with either type chemistry:
"The alkaline will work but they will not last as long. Example: if a silver lasts 18 months you can expect the alkaline ones will last about 8 to 12 months. But starting voltage is the same on both kinds. The T-4 use’s so little voltage, so unless you're keeping the camera on all the time, the silvers are not needed..."

However, due to the increased possibility of leaks with alkaline batteries, I prefer to use silver oxide wherever possible.

 

[chuckroast]

Out of curiosity I searched and found the S76 battery is available. Why wouldn't you use it? I'm unaware of the reason don't give me grief just explain if you would.

I was under the impression the OP was having trouble sourcing S76s. If not, you're right, just use those.

 

[chuckroast]

Just now, I almost bought a used Konica FC-1, but when I asked for a photo of the battery tray it showed the old LR44 batteries still loaded, and green corrosion forming at the contacts. The seller was unwilling to test it with fresh batteries, and she does not accept returns, so I did not buy the camera.

Would the use of SR44 batteries have saved this camera? I don't know.

Depends how corroded. With care, a moderate amount of corrosion can be cleaned with a bit of patience.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

The silver oxide versions cost a little more, and they are somewhat harder to find -- but in my opinion, they are worth the extra cost and effort. I would encourage everyone to buy S76 or SR44 batteries whenever practical, in the hopes that continued demand will keep them in production.

In 2021, I bought a used Konica Autoreflex T4, and in 2022 I sent it to Greg Weber. He recalibrated the meter to work with modern batteries. At that time Greg Weber was recommending the use of S625PX (silver oxide) batteries for my re-calibrated camera. Due to a chain of mishaps, misunderstandings, and bad luck, I did not get my camera back until August 2023. By that time there were no silver oxide batteries available in the S625PX size. None.

The correct size batteries for my Konica T4 are still available in the alkaline chemistry (PX625A and similar), but not in silver oxide. I decided I would rather use the smaller silver oxide S76 or SR44 batteries in a (dumb) adapeter to make them fit -- as opposed to using the correct size in the alkaline chemistry.

Greg Weber says the camera meter will work correctly with either type chemistry:
"The alkaline will work but they will not last as long. Example: if a silver lasts 18 months you can expect the alkaline ones will last about 8 to 12 months. But starting voltage is the same on both kinds. The T-4 use’s so little voltage, so unless you're keeping the camera on all the time, the silvers are not needed..."

However, due to the increased possibility of leaks with alkaline batteries, I prefer to use silver oxide wherever possible.

I was under the impression the OP was having trouble sourcing S76s. If not, you're right, just use those.

Thank you.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I found it on Amazon fairly inexpensive.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I found it on Amazon fairly inexpensive.

Yes, S76 (aka SR44) batteries are still available. The OP is looking for A76 or S76, so they still have a choice between silver oxide or alkaline. Notice that only a few of the "hits" on your Amazon link are actually silver oxide; by far, the majority of the batteries shown on that page are alkaline.

It is the S625PX -- which is a bigger battery -- that is no longer available in silver oxide. I only mentioned the discontinued S625PX size to illustrate the possibility that continued production of silver oxide batteries may be on the decline.

 

[BrianShaw]

I found it on Amazon fairly inexpensive.

I don’t want to be obnoxious, but the last 2 times I ordered silver-oxide batteries on eBay or Amazon they were returned. No good. We had a good battery store in the neighborhood but they closed. Now it’s a 20 mile drive but I know I can count on them to have good batteries.

 

[blee1996]

I don't trust Amazon or eBay for batteries, too often they are either fakes or short expiration date.

For S76 / SR44, I found Home Depot almost always have them at reasonable price. If not in store, they can cam store delivery or home delivery at no charge.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Sorry to have tried. Won't do that again.

 

[Chan Tran]

I don’t want to be obnoxious, but the last 2 times I ordered silver-oxide batteries on eBay or Amazon they were returned. No good. We had a good battery store in the neighborhood but they closed. Now it’s a 20 mile drive but I know I can count on them to have good batteries.

I can buy the silver oxide at local Walmart or Home Depot or Lowe's.

 

[vsyrek1945]

This issue has come up in this forum before -- back in 2010. I found it at

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/sr44-vs-357-batteries.60313/n

One aspect  has changed since then, in that the low-current draw but otherwise identical 303 silver oxide variant has been included in the product label.(303/357/76)

Technically, the alkaline variants should be labeled A76, 357A, etc., and their packaging often prominently claims "0% Hg" (no mercury).

I've bought 357, S76, or SR44 batteries on eBay without unpleasant surprises, but have always checked the item photo posted by their sellers before clicking the "Buy It Now" button.

Thanks,
Vince

 

[F4U]

Alkaline batteries slowly lose their voltage over time. A small difference doesn't matter much but, if you don't catch it in time, it will typically give you increasingly faulty meter readings.

Silver Oxide batteries are this strongly preferred because they hold voltage until they "fall off a cliff". Another option is a CR1/3N lithium battery that replaces two of these i one stack.

Alkaline lose their voltage from the first 10 minutes.