konica t3 light meter problem

bob2 · Nov 29, 2007

I dont think the new 1.5v batteries are working.The light meter needle does not seem to be very sensitive,near dark or bright sunlight gives almost the same reading.Is there another alternative to two 1.5v?It should be two 1.3.Or is the meter toast?:confused:

Anscojohn · Nov 29, 2007

IIRC, the Konica Autoreflexes took 1.35 batteries, but I may be wrong. Before you do anything else, google it and see. Use the correct batteries. If the voltage is off, that may be the problem. Be sure to clean the battery contact in the camera with a ballpoint pen type eraser. Ditto for the batteries themselves and the battery cover.

John, Mount Vernon, VA USA

bob2 · Nov 29, 2007

i would love to use the proper batteries but im told they are not made anymore.If they were 1.35v then I think the meter might very well be dead.That will not be good as I dont know if I have enough $to get a brand new light meter.The whole reason that I went with konica was a limited budget and most of the cash went into lenses and accessories.

Paul Howell · Nov 30, 2007

bob2 said:
i would love to use the proper batteries but im told they are not made anymore.If they were 1.35v then I think the meter might very well be dead.That will not be good as I dont know if I have enough $to get a brand new light meter.The whole reason that I went with konica was a limited budget and most of the cash went into lenses and accessories.

The 1.35 battery was a mercury battery and are no longer made. Winn Cell or hearing batteries can be used, on the internet you can also find an converter that fits in the battery compartment allowing you to use the the 1.5 batteries. As already mentioned clean the contacts and try a 1.5 battery just to if the meter becomes active, it may not be accurate but you find out if the meter is working.

Chan Tran · Nov 30, 2007

I think you have more problem than just using wrong batteries. Most cameras that require the 1.35V mercury battery would work fine with the 1.5V alkaline. The meter may be off but should not have the sensitvity problem like you described.

eric · Nov 30, 2007

bob2 said:
I dont think the new 1.5v batteries are working.The light meter needle does not seem to be very sensitive,near dark or bright sunlight gives almost the same reading.Is there another alternative to two 1.5v?It should be two 1.3.Or is the meter toast?:confused:

The Konicas are pretty old. YOu may consider getting it properly CLA'ed by Greg Weber. www.webercamera.com. I've had all my Konicas serviced by him. My T3 works with the 1.5 but its a battery conversionhe does. The meter may work on yours but the needle might be stuck. Or needle is good and the meter may need to be serviced. Either case, sounds like it needs to go in for service.

John Koehrer · Nov 30, 2007

Can you return the thing for a refund?
The Konicas were not a big seller in their day, but offered excellent optics.
Worst case is you lose the auto function. Best case is you have a fully manual camera & need a meter.

bob2 · Nov 30, 2007

Well the verdict is in.The meter is dead.A pity really but I cant complain,the camera was a gift.I know everyone on ebay says mint condition but this camera is.(save for the meter.There is Not a blemish on it,no scratches no rub marks...nothing.It was my uncles camera before he died and he hardly used it at all.When he did he was very careful with it.I will fix the meter eventually for that reason alone but I will never sell.I must have the "bug" bad because I just bought a sekonic 308s light/flash meter.There is nothing stopping me now but absence of sunlight.hmm

DarkroomExperimente · Nov 30, 2007

I love Konicas

eric · Nov 30, 2007

DarkroomExperimente said:
I love Konicas

Heck ya, me too! I have the hard to get lenses: 21mm, 85mm, 100mm and 300. I really like the 21mm.

DarkroomExperimente · Nov 30, 2007

I have 28,40,52, 135mm

also 3 extender rings and a bellows with reverse mount

bob2 · Nov 30, 2007

nice

maybe you can answer this then,How rare is a kino(panagore)55mm 1:1 macro in very good to excellent condition.I picked up one on ebay and it should be here in a week or so

DarkroomExperimente · Dec 1, 2007

I have no idea

bob2 · Dec 1, 2007

mis posted

Where did it go?? i cand find where i sent it.thought it was in this thread:confused:now its there lol

Mike Michaelski · Dec 2, 2007

I don't have the 21, but I do have a couple of the Vivitar 20's which are close, and the Zenitar 16mm in M-42 with the converter ring. I agree that Greg Weber can fix it up. He has done several of my T-3's, converting them to use the silver batteries instead of the mercury ones - well worth it!.

craigclu · Dec 3, 2007

You might check the konicaslr group on Yahoo. There have been any discussions regarding the battery situation and there are many helpful folks there who could possibly give you some pointers on remedying the meter issue, too. Perhaps you called Greg Weber already and know the verdict on your particular meter?

I've used Konica gear for many years and have accumulated an embarrassing amount of stuff. My favorites are the 57/1.2's and the 85/1.8 but all of their high grades are more than competitive with other brand alternatives.

Photo-gear · Apr 8, 2012

In this very case, it looks like the meter is dead.

Anyhow, for those who still use a Konica T3(n), be aware that the Weincell chart might be misleading. According to this chart, it is suggested to use two Weincell MRB675, although there ain't enough room in the battery chamber...

Weincell chart:
http://www.weincell.com/weinchart.htm

I ended up using two alkalines batteries (1,5v) and I manage to set the ASA at one stop +, so the meter do read the light more accurately.

If I keep shooting with Konicas, it is because of their wonderful lenses. As a matter of fact, their prices on the gear market don't get any lower...

dehk · Apr 8, 2012

Had a Konica T, Meter was dead, but tracked it down to loose wire underneath the battery compartment. Try looking at that.

Also runs 2 SR44 or 2 675 Zic Air with bread tie around it with no problem.

dynachrome · Apr 8, 2012

The non-working meter is usually due to a bad wire from the battery chamber. The 675 Zinc-Air batteries will work and Greg Weber can also convert a T3 to 1.5 volts. The 55/2.8 Vivitar/Panagor is not a Kino lens. It's a Komine lens.

Vonder · Apr 8, 2012

Greg Weber is a real treasure in today's throwaway world. The "right" thing to do is send it to him for repair to restore it to full functionality. The economical thing to do is to leave it as is, and use a light meter. I have 4 Konicas and two have been refurbished by Greg. I fully expect them to outlive me.

konica t3 light meter problem

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