Battery for OM-1

[modafoto]

Hi

In a thread today I mentioned that I had an OM-1 lying @ home. Now I have taken it out and I am rather keen on shooting with it again.
But the battery is missing, so I cannot see which one I need to buy.

Can you me, APUGGERS?

Morten

 

[clogz]

Hello Morten,
Loads of info on the OM system:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~wiskerke/html/olylinks.html

 

[Canuck]

It uses an older mercury PX625 (voltage=1.35). Newer alkaline replacements will work but will bias the meter by about 1/2 stop I think (if its pumping out the 1.5V). Older battery might be hard to find though.

 

[modafoto]

I found this:

One more IMPORTANT thing: I have completely solved the 625 mercury battery issue! Go to Home Depot, and buy a #9 rubber O-ring - It costs 29 cents, and then slip it in the empty battery compartment of your OM-1. You can then use the Zinc-Air 76-size batteries directly. These are the basis of the Wein cell, but they need not be bought at a high premium from limited channels like the Wein cell. They are hearing aid batteries, available at ANY Costco, Wall-mart, Radio Shack, etc. The voltage matches what the meter was built for, unlike any Alkaline or Silver Oxide replacements. So there is NO NEED to re-calibrate the meter. These batteries will wear out quickly (say, 1-2 months), just like the Wein Cell, but they cost 60-75 CENTS EACH in packs of 8 or more.

Can someone tell me which battery to look for?

 

[clogz]

Another solution for the aforementioned battery problem:www.criscam.com

 

[garryl]

Can someone tell me which battery to look for?

375

 

[garryl]

You might want to check out this relate thread--

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AsKT

 

[Jeffrey A. Steinberg]

Camtech, www.zuiko.com will upgrade your OM-1 to use newer batteries (recalibrate the meter). John, who has deep experience, will also do a clean and lube.

I had him put in a beatty bright screen (with meter adjustment). My OM-1N is just as good now as when I got it in 1979 (has it been that long?). He also replaced my light seals.

Very good service. I have no connection with him other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[garryl]

Camtech, Dead Link Removed will upgrade your OM-1 to use newer batteries (recalibrate the meter). John, who has deep experience, will also do a clean and lube.

How did that c get in there?
www.zuiko.com

Both John and Photosphere in Dallas will include the battery conversion as a part of their CLA unless you ask them not too.

 

[Jeffrey A. Steinberg]

How did that c get in there?
www.zuiko.com

Bad typing and previewing skills. I am still working on previsualizing my photos so its no wonder my typing has the same problems. I fixed it. Thanks.

--Jeffrey

 

[modafoto]

Thanks for the answers. I will look for the Zinc-Air battery as it will be VERY expensive to send my OM-1 to USA

 

[garryl]

You do know that only the meter needs the battery?:confused: You can still take picture using another meter(camera or handheld) as the OM-1 is mechanical.

 

[modafoto]

You do know that only the meter needs the battery?:confused: You can still take picture using another meter(camera or handheld) as the OM-1 is mechanical.

I know that, but I want to use the OM-1 as a "always-with-me" camera. The size of the OM-1 equipped with the 50 mm f/1.8 is perfect for my bag I use every day. Having two cameras with me or a seperate light meter is not preferable as I want something easy to use and simple to carry.

 

[Woolliscroft]

I find my OM cameras work just fine with modern alk batteries. The meter difference is hardly noticeable, maybe 1/3 stop.

David.

 

[modafoto]

I find my OM cameras work just fine with modern alk batteries. The meter difference is hardly noticeable, maybe 1/3 stop.

David.

I will give this a try and test using a slide film to check out the meter accuracy.
Thanks for all the answers.

 

[modafoto]

I will give this a try and test using a slide film to check out the meter accuracy.
Thanks for all the answers.

I just want to comment on my experience with alkaline batteries. It works great! I buy alkaline cells for 2-5 DKK (35-80 US cents) and they last for long. I change them every other month to keep the meter precise.

Nice camera that I carry with me all the time in my bag. The OM-1 is small and handy to carry around. I NEVER think about leaving home home without it!

 

[Andy K]

Hi Morten,

Here is the Small Battery Company's page on the PX625 and all it's equivalents, including the MR-9 voltage adapter which allows you to use easily available silver oxide 386 cells. The Small Battery Co is in England, so it may be cheaper than shipping to and from the states.

Andy.

 

[benjiboy]

I don't use the OM 1, but my Canon FTb uses the same battery that I have found the cheapest and easyest solution to replacing the PX625 mercury cell with a PX625 zinc air Wein cell ,and have had no problem.

 

[John Hermanson]

Battery for OM-1/1N

Hi

In a thread today I mentioned that I had an OM-1 lying @ home. Now I have taken it out and I am rather keen on shooting with it again.
But the battery is missing, so I cannot see which one I need to buy.

Can you me, APUGGERS?

Morten

You would need a mercury 1.35V battery which are discontinued (mostly) worldwide. Next best is an MR-9 adapter which is a metal can with a schotkey diode built in. MR-9 uses a 1.55V silver oxide battery (386 type) which gets stepped down to 1.35V. If your meter is working, the MR-9 is the perfect drop in replacement. I casution against using the alkaline 625A / 625U batteries, which are the same size as the mercury battery but are 1.55V. they will cause a 2-3 stop error in the OM-1 / 1N.