batteries for F3

chip j · Jun 10, 2013

Where does one get batteries for a Nikon F3? My Kodak S76 silver oxide batteries are always shot, and all I could find on the web was a 3volt lithium said to work in the F3(amazon). Thanks, Chip

BrianShaw · Jun 10, 2013

They are still available at camera shops and most drug stores, like Walgreens.

bdial · Jun 10, 2013

The 3v lithium is fine. The camera is designed for either a single 3v Lithium or two 1.5v cells.
My preference is the 3v since it's one less cell to worry about.

Chan Tran · Jun 10, 2013

chip j said:
Where does one get batteries for a Nikon F3? My Kodak S76 silver oxide batteries are always shot, and all I could find on the web was a 3volt lithium said to work in the F3(amazon). Thanks, Chip

Either type of batteries are fine but with either they should last at least a year. If you have short life may be there is something wrong with your camera. The lock around the shutter release only prevents the camera to turn on but not turning it off.

Peter Simpson · Jun 10, 2013

Digikey and Mouser sell 357/SR44 silver oxide cells. I suggest you avoid the off-brand ones from China, as they are likely to be lower capacity and will probably leak. Go with Varta, Energizer, Sony or the like.

ArtO · Jun 10, 2013

I find them almost everywhere around where I live. Walgreens, Kmart, WalMart, CVS, Dollar Tree. I've stopped using these and just put AA's in a motor drive most times. That makes it easier for me to store the camera without forgetting to take the batteries out.

mikebarger · Jun 10, 2013

ditto

chip j · Jun 10, 2013

Thank you all, esp. you Peter; I will go to the Digikey site.

John_Nikon_F · Jun 11, 2013

The Varta CR 1/3N is what my F3HP, both of my F2AS bodies, and my FM2n all have in them. Lasts almost forever. In the motor drives, Energizer Ultimate Lithiums.

-J

dorff · Jun 11, 2013

The best is to get 2x 1.5V LR44 batteries. They are ubiquitous, and used in toys, consumer electronics like thermometers, stop watches, scales etc. Our local chinese dealers carry all the sizes of button cells.

chip j · Jun 11, 2013

Varta sounds really good. Thanks, Chip

JoeA · Jun 13, 2013

Have you considered an MD-4? The are ridiculously cheap, a good one can be had for under $50.00 on that auction site. Then all you need are standard 'AA's.

j

Nikon Collector · Jun 15, 2013

JoeA said:
Have you considered an MD-4? The are ridiculously cheap, a good one can be had for under $50.00 on that auction site. Then all you need are standard 'AA's.

j

I was gonna suggest that, the beauty of a MD4, besides its operation and rewind is that it supplies power to the camera, but be prepared to burn some film

John_Nikon_F · Jun 15, 2013

Nikon Collector said:
I was gonna suggest that, the beauty of a MD4, besides its operation and rewind is that it supplies power to the camera, but be prepared to burn some film

Set the mode switch around the firing button to "S". Or, leave it on "L" and just use the MD-4 as a grip.

-J

Nikon Collector · Jun 17, 2013

John_Nikon_F said:
Set the mode switch around the firing button to "S". Or, leave it on "L" and just use the MD-4 as a grip.

-J

Wheres the fun i that? lol

John_Nikon_F · Jun 17, 2013

Nikon Collector said:
Wheres the fun i that? lol

My wallet finds it fun... Doesn't get opened so quickly. ;-) hehe

Otherwise, it's click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee,click,eee...Overdraft Notice!

-J

chip j · Jun 17, 2013

I have 2 nice MD4's---too damn heavy.

k_jupiter · Jun 18, 2013

I want one of those F3 medium format cameras.

Russ - SVP · Oct 1, 2018

chip j said:
I have 2 nice MD4's---too damn heavy.

Drop AA lithium batteries in your motor drives. MUCH lighter than alkalines or rechargeable batteries.

GRHazelton · Oct 1, 2018

Kiron Kid said:
Drop AA lithium batteries in your motor drives. MUCH lighter than alkalines or rechargeable batteries.

Well, since Li cells make three volts as compared to 1.5v of alkaline cells, how do you install half as many? or how does the doubled voltage affect the MD-4? Or am I overlooking something?

shutterfinger · Oct 1, 2018

GRHazelton said:
Well, since Li cells make three volts as compared to 1.5v of alkaline cells, how do you install half as many? or how does the doubled voltage affect the MD-4? Or am I overlooking something?

The manual says it uses a pair of EPX76 1.5V Silver Oxide batteries. That's 2 - 1.5V batteries which equals 3V.
My question is why a 35mm camera question is in the Medium Format section? And its been here for 5 years!

fdonadio · Oct 1, 2018

GRHazelton said:
Well, since Li cells make three volts as compared to 1.5v of alkaline cells, how do you install half as many? or how does the doubled voltage affect the MD-4? Or am I overlooking something?

I got curious and my googling got this: https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable...rtCharger/dp/B00SXV9Z4U/?tag=metaefficient-20.

AA-sized, 1.5V, Li-Poly batteries!

Now, if the cells were 3.7V, I guess it would be possible to make some “dummy batteries” just to fill up the space.

Russ - SVP · Oct 1, 2018

The NIKON manual states that the lithium batteries are fine. When I mentioned saving weight, I was referring to the eight, AA batteries that are required to power the MD-4 motor drive. Also, keep in mind that lithium batteries are almost impervious to cold weather. They are the batteries of choice to use in extreme cold.

film_man · Oct 2, 2018

Amazon has tons of those, I just buy a pack of SR44 1.55V batteries, they work on the F3, the Nikonos and some other old crap just fine. Last time I got those https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UFED0QW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 put them in the F3 last year and it is still running.

Russ - SVP · Oct 2, 2018

I like the fact that all of my older film Nikon’s use the same battery. Lithium’s for me.

batteries for F3

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency