Looking for PX625 adapter

[DonW]

The person mentioned in Post #3 does not ship internationally.

 

[ic-racer]

Zinc-Air cells have poor longevity and I feel no need to contribute to my local landfill.
Honestly the difference is easy to compensate for. But if I get bored enough I might solder in a diode on the SRT too. I Just don't use it that often..

Yes, that is a shame the zinc air cells wear out so fast.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I think the SRT has a simple resistance based meter circuit that would benefit from a zinc-air cell. Is there a reason you like to use the higher voltage batteries?

It's been simply mesmerizing the constant "promotion" in all battery discussions of zinc-air batteries for simple reasons of very short life and related constant new expanse, always a need to have some sort of bandage to get them fit/stay in place properly and most of all, relative ease of getting an adapter that will regulate voltage with SO batteries.

And how any device "benefits" from zinc-air battery, device that was never designed for one? This also implies that any other kind of battery puts a handicap on device's performance. The only "benefit" of sticking to zinc-air battery is a much higher chance of getting caught in the field with pants down.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

The person mentioned in Post #3 does not ship internationally.

If you really need it I would at least try to talk to the guy (if you have not yet). His statement about international shipping makes no sense as it would be buyer paying for it and this is a device that ships in a small bubble envelope.

 

[MattKing]

And how any device "benefits" from zinc-air battery, device that was never designed for one? This also implies that any other kind of battery puts a handicap on device's performance. The only "benefit" of sticking to zinc-air battery is a much higher chance of getting caught in the field with pants down.

Sixty (60) 675 batteries for less than $22.00 CDN.
When I use them regularly in the perfectly sized adapters I got from Jon Goodman, they tend to last for a few months each.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Sixty (60) 675 batteries for less than $22.00 CDN.
When I use them regularly in the perfectly sized adapters I got from Jon Goodman, they tend to last for a few months each.

Sixty it is. I buy about one of SOx every other year for about $3, helps with my accounting. And whatever power I don't use I sell it back to the grid

 

[MattKing]

I prefer and use silver oxide batteries in the cameras that are designed for them.
In Canada, the PX625 adapters that permit use of silver oxide batteries end up costing more than $50.00 CDN, and I have in the past had the need for as many as four of them - two low use cameras and one low use meter that requires two 625 batteries.
If I was still using an OM-1 regularly and heavily, I would again spring for the silver oxide battery adapter. I sold my most recently owned OM-1, and included one of those adapters as part of the sale.
The last 675 zinc air adapters I bought were three for $36.00.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I prefer and use silver oxide batteries in the cameras that are designed for them.
In Canada, the PX625 adapters that permit use of silver oxide batteries end up costing more than $50.00 CDN, and I have in the past had the need for as many as four of them - two low use cameras and one low use meter that requires two 625 batteries.
If I was still using an OM-1 regularly and heavily, I would again spring for the silver oxide battery adapter. I sold my most recently owned OM-1, and included one of those adapters as part of the sale.
The last 675 zinc air adapters I bought were three for $36.00.

True, adapters do come at a price, but 625 ones now go for about 22 USD from link I posted earlier. I don't like messing with battery caps any more than I need to, some are easier to pop than others (like Leicaflex SL, one and only I know of where without battery, the cap can be threaded down into the compartment until it's past the thread's end, just stupid, and super fine thread to boot, it better be left in place until it must be opened). So unless I know camera is not going to get used for a while, I leave it alone on the battery front.

 

[log]

When the battery in my Spotmatic F died on the first day of a trip in Italy, I bought a 6-pack of 675-hearing aid batteries at the local drug store. They are zinc & 1.4 volt, close to the 1.35volt of the mercuries. Cost me 2 euro.
They have a smaller diameter, so I filled the battery compartment with a strip of cardboard. Worked great!

 

[Auer]

ECG109 germanium diode's are usually around $2 on Ebay and a 357 silver oxide 3 pack is about $6. Pad out the battery to fit with a rubber o-ring or whatever you have hanging around.

Again, if out shooting Street or some such most of the time then just a 1.5V SO battery alone gets you close enough if your film has even basic latitude.

If in a situation where exact metering is required, most likely one would benefit from a separate from camera metering solution.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

When the battery in my Spotmatic F died on the first day of a trip in Italy, I bought a 6-pack of 675-hearing aid batteries at the local drug store. They are zinc & 1.4 volt, close to the 1.35volt of the mercuries. Cost me 2 euro.
They have a smaller diameter, so I filled the battery compartment with a strip of cardboard. Worked great!

I don't think anybody is suggesting zinc-airs don't work. But just because an old pair of socks one's been wearing for 2 weeks will protect a bottle of perfume for shipment, does not mean it is an elegant solution. I've been simply surprised how frequently zinc-air batteries are suggested, often in a way like there is no better. If one likes to have a bag of tiny batteries in the bag at all times, that's OK, it does work. still, I don't agree this is a first choice. We all have reasons we do things the way we do them though.

 

[MattKing]

One fundamental factor to consider is the non-internet availability of batteries.
I can walk into any drug store and many convenience stores and (over) pay for an eight pack of 675 hearing aid batteries - $13 CDN (in a really convenient dispensing case).
Most local stores won't have any 357 silver oxide batteries. One local alternative for me does - $6 CDN each battery.
My general practice is to have at least one change of batteries in my bag at all time. For one of my 357 silver oxide using OM2 cameras, including the batteries in my camera, that means carrying $24 CDN worth of batteries around if I am going to source them locally.
I do shop for batteries on the internet, but I prefer to have local alternatives available as well.

 

[mgb74]

I don't think anybody is suggesting zinc-airs don't work. But just because an old pair of socks one's been wearing for 2 weeks will protect a bottle of perfume for shipment, does not mean it is an elegant solution. I've been simply surprised how frequently zinc-air batteries are suggested, often in a way like there is no better. If one likes to have a bag of tiny batteries in the bag at all times, that's OK, it does work. still, I don't agree this is a first choice. We all have reasons we do things the way we do them though.

Nothing wrong with elegant; but in this case I'd prefer functional. To build on your illustration, I could wrap that perfume in a $500 silk scarf. That's an elegant solution but less functional than a 25 cent sheet of bubble wrap.

The reality is that the cheap zinc air battery is a perfectly fine solution for many people. In the posts I've seen, I haven't heard anyone say it's the ONLY good solution. And, of course, you don't need a bag of tiny batteries at all times, just one or 2.

I've used the zinc air batteries in an OM-1 and have been perfectly satisfied. I use a converter in my Rollei 35 because you can't easily change batteries; especially mid-roll.

 

[ic-racer]

Just to be clear zinc air batteries are my first choice for all my equipment [that requires 1.35v or some multiple of that]. Best solution I know and I know all the solutions. But this isn't my thread.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Just to be clear zinc air batteries are my first choice for all my equipment [that requires 1.35v or some multiple of that]. Best solution I know and I know all the solutions. But this isn't my thread.

My big annoyance with zinc-air is that if you buy them in enough quantity to get a good price, they go bad (dry out?) before you peel the tabs and then they'll never "wake up" to power your device. Add that to their short service life, and I'd much rather have a regulated solution that uses a long-life battery like silver oxide or lithium -- or a battery-free device in the first place.

 

[Steve Goldstein]

My big annoyance with zinc-air is that if you buy them in enough quantity to get a good price, they go bad (dry out?) before you peel the tabs [snip].

They are oxygen-activated. The thin tab is not absolutely impermeable to air so they will eventually go bad. Almost any practical* battery will, it's just a matter of how long it takes. And once you peel the tab they're always aging, even when not in use.

*Well, maybe not chemical batteries like those used in bombs and torpedos, but those are hardly practical for photographic use.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

They are oxygen-activated. The thin tab is not absolutely impermeable to air so they will eventually go bad. Almost any practical* battery will, it's just a matter of how long it takes. And once you peel the tab they're always aging, even when not in use.

*Well, maybe not chemical batteries like those used in bombs and torpedos, but those are hardly practical for photographic use.

Not sure what you're equating. The way zinc-air batteries use themselves up none other type does. Read about people resealing the hole when not in use, which makes them so much worse a choice. But what's convenient for one, it's a drag on another. I have no plans to ever try zinc-airs anyways.