Film Camera batteries

DaveO · May 22, 2016

I remembered to check my batteries in my Nikon FM2n today. The batteries seem to be OK, but they have been in there quite a while. If I use this camera in a week or so, I would like to have another set of batteries with me.
There are two Varta 76 PX batteries in it now. I looked at B&H photo and they only have two types of these batteries ( a silver oxide and an alkaline ) I guess the Silver Oxide would be better.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good place to get film camera batteries?

MattKing · May 22, 2016

The old MS76 battery description has essentially been replaced with 357.

I've had good luck in the past buying larger quantities off eBay, but I have a number of cameras that use that size battery.

You absolutely should avoid the alkaline version - the silver oxide version is worth the extra money.

Bill Burk · May 22, 2016

Three-packs of 357 are readily available at pharmacies, etc. They are priced slightly better (retail) than individual cells.

MartinCrabtree · May 22, 2016

I purchased Energizer 123 3 volt lithium batteries for my FM2n at the local MalWart. Shop there as little as possible however I live in a rural area and sometimes they're the only game in town for unusual items.

DaveO · May 22, 2016

Bill Burk said:
Three-packs of 357 are readily available at pharmacies, etc. They are priced slightly better (retail) than individual cells.

I might go downtown to see if they have the 357's in our drugstores. We have RiteAid, Walgreens and CVS here. Even though it is a small town. I've found that CVS on some items is the most expensive. We also have a Walmart, but they sell the small coin type batteries in the Jewelry dept for some reason. You have to grab someone to actually get them for you instead of reaching for a wall display. Not many Walmart employees in some areas, though!
I ordered blister pack of unusual batteries from Amazon one time and checked each of the five batteries and three of them were below the right voltage and probably not usable. I won't buy batteries from Amazon or Dollar Store because of that.

ColColt · May 22, 2016

I use Walgreen's Pharmacy and if they don't have what I need, B&H photo. I don't do WalMart.

dynachrome · May 22, 2016

These batteries are, of course available online. I have also seen and bought then at the nearby Home Depot store. They seem to cost less at Home Depot than at the drug stores or the local grocery store.

ColColt · May 22, 2016

Yep, forgot about the hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. Anywhere but WalMart.

Born2Late · May 22, 2016

Home Depot and Office Depot carry 357's.

DaveO · May 22, 2016

ColColt said:
Yep, forgot about the hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe's. Anywhere but WalMart.

I have bought batteries for my Nikon F6 at Lowes and they are definitely cheaper than drugstores. I can get a two pack for less at Lowes than one batteru at the drugstore.

John_Nikon_F · May 22, 2016

Hit up bLowe's and see if they have any Energizer 2L76 batteries. Grab one for your FM2n there. Alternatively, the Varta CR 1/3N works well, too. One other source... Is there a Radio Snack in town? Usually the Varta batteries are sold under their "Enercell" brand.

-J

Jeff Bradford · May 22, 2016

Lowe's is WalMart. Same company.

wiltw · May 22, 2016

Some film cameras work fine with alkaline or silver oxide, but NOT lithium batteries...e.g. Bronica! Check owner manual for recommendation from manufacturer.

In the specific case of the Nikon FM2, alkaline or silver oxide or lithium are all listed as acceptable.

Born2Late · May 22, 2016

I'm afraid that Radio Shack stores are going to suffer the same fate as Kodachrome.

wiltw · May 22, 2016

Born2Late said:
I'm afraid that Radio Shack stores are going to suffer the same fate as Kodachrome.

You mean, someone is gonna start a thread asking what kind of premium pricing they would pay, in order for Radio Shack to be revived in the market?!

DaveO · May 22, 2016

Born2Late said:
I'm afraid that Radio Shack stores are going to suffer the same fate as Kodachrome.

The Radio Shack here went out of business a few months ago. I always found that their batteries were more expensive than many places.

canvassy · May 22, 2016

I've had good luck buying 5 packs of the 357 silver oxide batteries on Amazon from here: http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-357-Multi-Drain-Battery-Card/dp/B0014WRUR4

trythis · May 22, 2016

Just take them out if you are going to leave the camera unused for more than a week or so. I had a hell of a time replacing a battery holder in an FM that cracked when the battery expanded. You have to split the camera body. PITA!

Prof_Pixel · May 22, 2016

Jeff Bradford said:
Lowe's is WalMart. Same company.

Wrong! Check Snopes http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=001059;p=0

John_Nikon_F · May 23, 2016

trythis said:
Just take them out if you are going to leave the camera unused for more than a week or so. I had a hell of a time replacing a battery holder in an FM that cracked when the battery expanded. You have to split the camera body. PITA!

I think that might've happened or something similar to an FM I looked at yesterday. Meter was completely dead. Tried new batteries, a different battery cap, cleaning terminals, etc. Essentially, it was a Nikkormat FS with a shutter speed dial instead of the shutter speed ring, a hot shoe, and motor drive coupling.

-J

mweintraub · May 23, 2016

Thought hey don't have 357 batteries, but for anyone with flexable spending accounts to spend money on, check out www.FSAStore.com for 675 batteries
https://fsastore.com/SearchProducts.aspx?q=battery#/?_=1&filter.eligibility=FSA Ok&page=1

No prescription needed.

John_Nikon_F · May 23, 2016

^Works well for un-recalibrated Nikon F, Nikkormat FT/FTn, OM-1, Canon early F-1, FT-QL, FTb, SR-T Minoltas, etc... Use a spacer to get the right diameter. I wouldn't use those in a body that takes silver or alkaline batteries. Meter will be overexposing.

-J

wiltw · May 23, 2016

John_Nikon_F said:
^Works well for un-recalibrated Nikon F, Nikkormat FT/FTn, OM-1, Canon early F-1, FT-QL, FTb, SR-T Minoltas, etc... Use a spacer to get the right diameter. I wouldn't use those in a body that takes silver or alkaline batteries. Meter will be overexposing.

-J

No, absolutely NOT! The OM-1 meter has variable error due to use of any non-mercuric oxide battery with constant 1.35v supply...the amount of error DEPENDS on the BRIGHTNESS of the ambient light! You cannot use a simple offset to correct the OM-1 meter for all lighting circumstances. I did testing about 20 years ago, using a PX-13 (mercury) and a PX-625A (alkaline)

MattKing · May 23, 2016

wiltw said:
No, absolutely NOT! The OM-1 meter has variable error due to use of any non-mercuric oxide battery with constant 1.35v supply...the amount of error DEPENDS on the BRIGHTNESS of the ambient light! You cannot use a simple offset to correct the OM-1 meter for all lighting circumstances. I did testing about 20 years ago, using a PX-13 (mercury) and a PX-625A (alkaline)

I could be wrong, but I think that the 675 batteries referenced in the link may be zinc-air technology, which mimics the mercury PX-13 batteries quite closely.

wiltw · May 23, 2016

MattKing said:
I could be wrong, but I think that the 675 batteries referenced in the link may be zinc-air technology, which mimics the mercury PX-13 batteries quite closely.

yes, you are correct that 675 cells are actually zinc air. in that case, they should be fine, and I presume better priced than Wein air cells.

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