Samurai battery riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma

The Yashica Samurai, at least the Z and ZL models (and probably all of the others, too) has TWO batteries inside it. One is the easy to replace, large, common CR2. It is often a lithium battery and lasts a long time. But there is another, internal battery that lasts even longer and is designed to keep the camera "alive" when the CR2 is dead or removed -- but you can't operate the camera without a CR2 installed. The CR2 is used for zooming, metering, exposing, flashing, etc. The other, internal, well-hidden battery is used to save the date & time and other settings, last a LONG time and can be low powered because it doesn't really use much energy.

You can't operate the camera with the internal battery alone, and you can't operate it without it working -- even with a new CR2 battery. However, I can find nothing out about this battery -- what the designation is, how to replace it, etc. All the manual says is "return it to Yashica for service". Well, that's not going to happen.

The none Z versions have a little bit of info on the web and it appears that they use a battery of the 20** coin or button type, like the 2032 for computers -- or perhaps the 2025. I won't know for sure until I can get at the battery, but I can find nothing on how to do it, other than "the Z models are harder to work on than the other Samurai models." Big help, there!

Anyone have any suggestions? Do I just start removing any screws that I can access, and hope for the best? It's a GREAT little camera.

Thanks.

The reason you can't find directions in how to replace it is the cameras internal battery is not meant to be user replaceable, only factory replaceable, like the Canon T90.

Thanks, but I found a website that has details and a picture and discussion. The guy who posted it said it was pretty easy and mentions a couple of things to be careful about. At least I now know which side of the camera the battery lies. Once I get the panel off, it a simple pop-out and replace, much like a desktop computer. Here's the page:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/geodesign/4362770731

benjiboy said:

The reason you can't find directions in how to replace it is the cameras internal battery is not meant to be user replaceable, only factory replaceable, like the Canon T90.

Click to expand...

I figured it out. It's really easy. All it takes is removing about a dozen screws -- two on the eyepiece, two on the tripod socket, four inside the battery compartment, three on the front cover, one on the bottom and a few on the side cover with the ON/OFF switch. Then you have to carefully pry the front cover a few mm's forward while the film door is open. At the same time, slowly wiggle the side cover upward starting at the bottom. There are two tabs connecting it to the front and one connecting it to the top. When all the screws are removed and the tabs are not connected, the cover will pop off easily. The battery, which is a 2025 has the positive side toward the inside of the camera and should be removed by carefully pushing it upward. It is between two metals tabs and under a wire "flap". Just reinstall the new battery and make sure it sits on the two tiny black tabs on the bottom. It will feel loose. Be careful of the tiny spring connected to the ON/OFF switch -- it is right next to the built-in flash. It's easy to fall off, easy to lose but easy to reinstall. Put everything back the way you took it apart. Make sure the camera's ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position. Get the top together first and then wiggle the sides and bottom back into place. It basically snaps back into place.

My 2CR5 6v battery was reading 6.25v and my 2035 3v battery was reading 2.75. Both were too far gone. The new batteries read 6.44v and 3.25 respectively.

So I'm all set -- YIPPEE. I think I'll offer my services on the web!

Thanks for detailing the little battery replacement. I had run across mention of it before, but not how or what it was. One day I will find one of those left hand models, and with my luck that little battery will be dead.

Interesting information. My Samurai Z is still running on the original small battery (I replaced the large one a while back) but I'm sure it will go at some point. Nice to know it's not too bad to replace. Thanks for the write-up.

As to other Samurais:

-- From the picture I saw on the web of the Z2, the placement of the internal battery (undoubtedly a 2025) is on the same side as the Z.

-- I assume that the battery on the ZL is on the other side, but maybe not. Either way, the access should be about the same -- just maybe in "esrever".

-- For the earlier Samurais, I have no idea where the battery is, but it's probably about the same -- more or less.