SR44 vs 357 Batteries?

[sepiareverb]

Anyone notice any problems substituting 357 (or 303) silver oxide batteries for the alkaline versions? We're having some power issues with one Nikon and two Minolta bodies (college class cameras) and batteries seem to be the possible culprit. I've always used these interchangeably, but my colleague has been wondering about any difference in power output of the silver oxide vs alkaline.

 

[Tim Gray]

I thought both the 357 and SR44 were silver oxide batteries and are completely interchangeable...

 

[Chan Tran]

The 357 and SR44 are equivalent and both are silver oxide batteries. The alkaline version is LR44. According to Energizer (who doesn't make SR44 and claim that the 357 is their equivalent) the 357 has a bit less mAH rating than their EPX76 silver oxide. The voltage curve of the EPX76 is also a bit flatter than the 357. The A76 (alkaline) has about the same voltage curve as the 357 and the same mAH rating. If you can name names (i.e. camera make and model as well as battery make and model) then we can possibly find out more about the problem.

 

[sepiareverb]

LR 44 correct. My mistake after reading too much battery nomenclature! Voltage curve could possibly be an issue? My colleague has two Minotlas in her class- one is a X370 I believe, the Nikon I've got is an FE2.

 

[wotalegend]

I use the 3V lithium 2L76, also known as CR1/3N, in all my Nikon bodies. They have a longer life than both silver and alkaline, and I believe they offer more reliability and better value.

 

[Chan Tran]

The 357 should work fine in those 2 cameras? I wonder what kind of problems you're experiencing? The batteries just went dead?

 

[John Hermanson]

If anything, using silver oxide 357 batteries should eliminate all the possible problems caused by low-amp alkaline cells. 357, SR44, SR44W, G-13, MS76, KS76, 303, S76 are all equivalents. John

 

[wblynch]

As an example, I have an Olympus XA2 that takes those batteries. I must use the silver-oxide (SR44/357) as the alkaline LR44's don't have enough power to hold the shutter open long enough.

I tossed all my alkalines into the recycle box at Best Buy.

 

[sepiareverb]

Thanks for all the replies. Just no power at all- I'm wondering now if it just the batteries themselves...

We've got a few LR44 to do a comparison.

 

[Chan Tran]

I suspect that you have a bad batch of LR44 because the LR44 while not as good as the SR44 they should work fine in those cameras. Both Minolta and Nikon manuals say that it's ok to use the LR44's

 

[wiltw]

I use the 3V lithium 2L76, also known as CR1/3N, in all my Nikon bodies. They have a longer life than both silver and alkaline, and I believe they offer more reliability and better value.

Some cameras which take two LR44 or 357 do not well tolerate a single 3V Lithium substitution! It is not uncommon for Lithium to be EXCLUDED by a manufacturer. Bronica/Tamron excludes Lithium for its SQ and GS medium format, while it is OK for the ETR.

 

[lxdude]

Some cameras which take two LR44 or 357 do not well tolerate a single 3V Lithium substitution! It is not uncommon for Lithium to be EXCLUDED by a manufacturer. Bronica/Tamron excludes Lithium for its SQ and GS medium format, while it is OK for the ETR.

Right. Bronica/Tamron cite wide variability in output curves and peak power with different lithium batteries.

 

[wotalegend]

Some cameras which take two LR44 or 357 do not well tolerate a single 3V Lithium substitution! It is not uncommon for Lithium to be EXCLUDED by a manufacturer. Bronica/Tamron excludes Lithium for its SQ and GS medium format, while it is OK for the ETR.

The OP cited Nikon and Minolta, of which I have both, and both have no problems with the 3V lithium battery. I also have CV Bessa bodies using them. I have been using the lithium batteries for many years and I am surprised to learn that some camera manufacturers warn against them.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Camera manufacturers often warn against lithium batteries (e.g. Canon warns against using them in early versions of the EOS 1N's power drive booster E1) because of voltage spiking and the often-quoted steep 'death dive' as the battery nears exhaustion, which can leave shutters and drives in limbo. I've only used LR44 s/o button cells in remote control units with no problems and never knew such were available in lithium versions. For the bigger batteries (e.g. AA), I usually hedge a preference toward alkaline but they being heavier means lithium invariably wins hands-down (and wallet empty...!).