Batteries for Olympus OM2n

[Rob Archer]

I have recently aquired an Olympus OM2n, complete with batteries. The meter consistently reads 1.5 stops high. As it's consitent I can work with it, but I wonder if I am using the wrong batteries? They are 2 GPA76 Alkaline cells. My local camera shops say it's not listed on their charts so (according to them) the right batteries are probably not available any more. I know that mercury cells are no longer available, but I read of a suitable replacement. Any pearls of wisdom out there?

Rob

 

[gnashings]

You can go here for a pretty extensive set of info on your camera. I am not an Olympus expert, so any and all advice here is general "where to get info" stuff (I am not even sure your Oly needs merc batts) but like with most cameras of this vintage, Google your camera with a "+manual" in the search, and you will have several sources of free (and many more for sale) manuals (usually in PDF format or scans of actual manual).
As far as mercury replacements, do a search right here on APUG - there have been many threads on the subject - there is simply no way to give you all the info from all of them, but its all there if you look.
Just to help you look, try Wein Cell, try hearing-aid batteries, Zinc-Air as your key-words.
There are also places that will recalibrate your camera to use modern 1.5v cells, as well as voltage reducing adaptors. There are many, many options, you will have to pick the one that works best for you.
Best of luck.

Peter.

 

[BruceN]

Yup! www.sr44.com A reliable and affordable source for the #357, Energizer's version of the 1.55v Silver Oxide battery your OM-2n is craving. There is also a list of comparable batteries on that page. Hope that helps!

Bruce

 

[MattKing]

In case there is any confusion, it is the silver oxide version of these batteries you need. Unlike the OM1, the OM2 or OM2n never used mercury cells. Bruce's link is great (thanks Bruce!) for price. Here is a link as well in the UK, that I located using Google:

SR44 batteries

At one time this was an extremely common battery size - I used to know it as S76

Have fun with your camera.

Matt

 

[Earl Dunbar]

Rob: As Bruce & Matt have pointed out, it is the silver version of the battery you want. But to be more specific, the SR44 and others that are truly comparable are what you should use. The SR44 is a high drain battery and has a very flat discharge curve until it is exhausted, then the voltage drops drastically, and there is no doubt the battery is dead. With others, even silver oxide of the same dimensions, voltage can slowly decline and you will get erroneous readings. Never, EVER use alkalines! You will not only get bad readings, but the camera can lock up even when there is no indication of battery drain, i.e. the battery check indicates a "good" battery.

Everready 357 batteries used to be preferred, along with the SR44, but Union Carbide changed them and they are no longer high drain.

If a good SR44 gives erroneous readings, then the camera should be serviced. I recommend John Hermanson at Camtech (www.zuiko.com); he was the supervisor at Olympus America service and does great work. Clint at Photosphere (www.olyfix.com) is also very good.

Another indispensible OM resource is here

 

[Rob Archer]

Thanks All!
I just got SR44s from a local electrical shop and they're fine. Apparently loads of watches and hearing aids take them, so availability in the UK is not a problem (except in camera shops!)

Rob

 

[John Hermanson]

A76 batteries cause problems with the OM-2 and 2N as the batteries were developed after the camera. The 2 and 2N were designed around the silver oxide battery (MS76, SR44W, G13, 357, 303). Use of an alkaline version (A76, LR44) will cause meter position errors of up to 3 stops and can cause the dreaded shutter lock. I have been servicing Olympus OM since 1977 and have seen this many times. In fact when the 2N came out, the factory put a notice in with every new camera, printed on pink paper. It said specifically to use silver oxide batteries only for the same reasons as listed above. Hope this helps!

John
http://www.zuiko.com

QUOTE=Rob Archer]I have recently aquired an Olympus OM2n, complete with batteries. The meter consistently reads 1.5 stops high. As it's consitent I can work with it, but I wonder if I am using the wrong batteries? They are 2 GPA76 Alkaline cells. My local camera shops say it's not listed on their charts so (according to them) the right batteries are probably not available any more. I know that mercury cells are no longer available, but I read of a suitable replacement. Any pearls of wisdom out there?

Rob[/QUOTE]