Bronica GS-1 Battery

Maximus966 · Dec 16, 2024

Good Morning!

Quick question... performed a search in the group for battery selection. I saw earlier today an Energizer 123 Lithium battery in Walmart, but no NON-lithium battery options.

First, is it recommendable to use a Lithium battery in my GS-1, or not recommended? What would be the issue, if any, of using the Lithium battery?

If Lithium is not recommended, what options do I have?

Thanks!

Dave Ludwig · Dec 16, 2024

I use an alkaline battery- Energizer A544.

Dave Ludwig · Dec 16, 2024

Although Tamron does not suggest Lithium, other people have said it is ok to use but will have a shorter life and for that reason I use Alkaline.

reddesert · Dec 16, 2024

You need a 6 volt battery that is typically labeled PX28, 4SR44, 4LR44; the Energizer 544 battery is equivalent. It is 13x25mm. It can be alkaline or silver oxide. http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/PX28A_battery

The CR123 lithium battery is 3V and is too big. It won't fit or work. PX28 batteries are easy to find on ebay or other online marketplaces if you can't find one in a store. I think they are commonly used in some kind of electronic dog collar.

itsdoable · Dec 16, 2024

The GS-1 was made in 1983, when lithium ~~ion~~ versions of the 544/px28/4G13/A544/4LR44's were not common, and their high current performance was not as good. Current L544 and equivalent lithium batteries are better.

The Seiko shutters use an electromagnet to hold open the shutter, which requires a large peak current that is well handled by silver oxide batteries. I usually use silver oxide batteries (which are still easily available) but when I don't have one, I'll use lithium ~~ion~~ batteries - and I have not had any issues.

reddesert · Dec 16, 2024

itsdoable said:
The GS-1 was made in 1983, when lithium ion versions of the 544/px28/4G13/A544/4LR44's were not common, and their high current performance was not as good. Current L544 and equivalent lithium ion batteries are better.

The Seiko shutters use an electromagnet to hold open the shutter, which requires a large peak current that is well handled by silver oxide batteries. I usually use silver oxide batteries (which are still easily available) but when I don't have one, I'll use lithium ion batteries - and I have not had any issues.

This is good information to know, though as a voltage nitpicker, two comments: first, the L544 lithium battery that is the equivalent size to the PX28/A544 is a 6V battery. For the OP, the things you absolutely have to match with a battery are size and voltage (the rest, like current capacity and voltage drain, are important but secondary). Lithium batteries that are not 6 V, like the 123 mentioned in post #1, will not work in a GS-1. Second, the disposable batteries such as the L544 are lithium metal batteries, not lithium ion. Lithium ion is the technology in rechargeable batteries like in your laptop or cellphone.

itsdoable · Dec 16, 2024

reddesert said:
This is good information to know, though as a voltage nitpicker, two comments: first, the L544 lithium battery that is the equivalent size to the PX28/A544 is a 6V battery. For the OP, the things you absolutely have to match with a battery are size and voltage (the rest, like current capacity and voltage drain, are important but secondary). Lithium batteries that are not 6 V, like the 123 mentioned in post #1, will not work in a GS-1. Second, the disposable batteries such as the L544 are lithium metal batteries, not lithium ion. Lithium ion is the technology in rechargeable batteries like in your laptop or cellphone.

Thanks, I fixed that. I should know better!

And yes, the 123 size are too big, wrong voltage, as mentioned, that's why I posted the battery section from the GS-1 manual.

Maximus966 · Dec 17, 2024

Thank you all! Seems I’ll have to source them outside of PR, as I haven’t been able to find anything other than the lithium ones.

Oldwino · Dec 17, 2024

I use the lithium L28 in my GS-1. It works fine.

Maximus966 · Dec 18, 2024

Assuming this Energizer A544 is good to go, and a substitute would be the Duracell A28, correct?

Dave Ludwig · Dec 18, 2024

I have an A544 in my camera and also use the Duracell A28, depends on availability.

Maximus966 · Dec 18, 2024

Dave Ludwig said:
I have an A544 in my camera and also use the Duracell A28, depends on availability.

Thank you for confirming use!

Bronica GS-1 Battery

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