Scored a Olympus OM1.. What battery?

[ToddB]

Hey guys,

I was bestowed another homeless camera today. I kind of feel like the crazy old lady that collects cats. Anyway, it's beautiful Olympus OM1. Anyone know what hockey puck battery it takes? What number? I'm giving this camera to my daughter to use. Pleas advise.


ToddB

 

[Rick A]

I use a Wein Cell replacement for the mercury cell, my meter is accurate and the danged thing lasts forever.

https://www.uniquephoto.com/batteri...=scplp776282&gclid=CKXD3OHJ1sUCFZY0aQodrkkABg

 

[MattKing]

You can either:

1) have the camera serviced, and have it updated at the same time to take a current battery; or
2) use a current battery with an adapter.

Originally it took a 625 mercury battery.

 

[mgb74]

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-111.html
and
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/mercurybattery.html

In short, use a 675 hearing aid battery (which should last a few months, but are cheap) with a #9 O-ring as a spacer.

 

[ciniframe]

I've had success with #675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries. You can save by buying a 12 or 24 pack at Walgreens, their house brand is fine. The batteries are 1.4v and only activate when you pull off the blue cover tab. Give them 5 min. after you pull the tab to come up to power then install. They are smaller than the original PX13 and you might need to visit the local hardware for a rubber 'O' ring to center the battery. They last about 3 months but are less than a $1 a battery when purchased in 24 packs. They are also safe for the trash, no special recycling needs. You might need to tweak the ASA dial a bit to get proper exposure but that could be true for any built in meter.

 

[Xmas]

I've had success with #675 zinc-air hearing aid batteries. You can save by buying a 12 or 24 pack at Walgreens, their house brand is fine. The batteries are 1.4v and only activate when you pull off the blue cover tab. Give them 5 min. after you pull the tab to come up to power then install. They are smaller than the original PX13 and you might need to visit the local hardware for a rubber 'O' ring to center the battery. They last about 3 months but are less than a $1 a battery when purchased in 24 packs. They are also safe for the trash, no special recycling needs. You might need to tweak the ASA dial a bit to get proper exposure but that could be true for any built in meter.

Yes o ring, about 6 months, they do leak, but don't need adjustment in bright to dim light good to 1/3 stop or near... The OM photo cells need to be ok...

You need to read the OM1 manual...

They need recycling like other button cells... Zinc is toxic.

 

[removedacct3]

I have one of these. A bit pricey but well worth the money.

 

[Alan Gales]

I have one of these. A bit pricey but well worth the money.

I went with one of those adaptors for my daughter's OM-1. It works great and the meter reads as accurately as when using the Wein cells.

 

[Strider]

The Wein works great in my OM-1n.

 

[Xmas]

You could replace the seals as well as mini mirror bumper.
The hearing aid batteries work well in an OM1(n) cause their breathing is restricted by cover cap one of mine is 6+ months already. Without blocking any holes or shimming merely a plumbers o ring.
Not going to bother to solder in a Shockety diode.
Note neither the hearing aid nor Weins work well in all applications.

 

[ToddB]

Thanks for all the chime ins. I landing up ordering the Wein from Rick A link. I'll see how this works out.

 

[thuggins]

This question is like death and taxes. No matter how many times it is answered, it never goes away. So let's go around one more time!

Apart from finding an old mercury cell that still works, there are basically four options:

1. An MR9 adapter. This fits over a silver oxide cell and converts the physical size and voltage to the same as the original mercury cell. Apart from the cost of the adapter, this is the best solution. Silver oxide cells are widely available and last a long time. If you have multiple cameras that were designed for mercury cells, the adapter is well worth the investment.

2. The 675 hearing aid battery mentioned above. Once air is let into the cell, these discharge whether they are being used or not. So if you are not going to shoot a lot of film at one time, you'll need to have several of these as backups. Even with an O-ring, the fit in some battery compartments can be problematic.

3. The Wein cell. This is basically a zinc air battery that is made and marketed specifically to replace the old mercury cells. They have the same discharge drawback as the hearing aid cell.

4. Modify the meter circuit with a Schottky diode. Most places will do this as part of the CLA of a camera and you have to tell them specifically not to do it. I have several cameras where this was done and consider it somewhat of a pain, especially if you have multiple cameras. Unless you mark it somehow, you have to check the meter before using it to see if it has been modified or not. Also, the silver oxide cell is physically smaller than the original mercury cell, so there are the same fit issues as with the hearing aid cells.