Voltage Load on Mamiya RZ67 w/AE Finder

[Dennis-B]

As noted, I have a RZ67 Pro, on which is mounted the first AE Finder. The RZ itself requires a 6v battery for basic operation.

The finder has shown all the normal features, but a couple of days ago, it only shows the amber and red lamps in the finder.

I pulled out the battery this morning, and put it on a meter which shows voltage, but not under load. The reading was 5.86 volts. I'm going out to get a couple of new batteries for it as a matter of normal maintenance.

I guess the question is, does the drop on voltage cause the features such as the shutter speeds on the left of the viewfinder, not to function? Is the voltage that critical?

 

[John Koehrer]

Can't speak to the RZ but it sure is with the Canon A cameras. The old saw of first, last and always check the batteries comes to mind.
I've had people come to the shop with intermittent release problems where the camera would meter & expose OK but for only one shot.
Testing the battery with a voltmeter showed OK but with a battery tester it was weak. Replacing the cell solved the "problem"only cost
the client a new battery.

 

[shutterfinger]

Most, if not all batteries read .6V over marked voltage when new. At 5.86V its unlikely any features worked unless the camera was designed for the lower voltage and used a higher voltage battery for longevity.
How a device such as a camera preforms in a low voltage condition depends on the design and components in the camera. One camera may work fine at 5.9V and another not.

 

[Dennis-B]

Most, if not all batteries read .6V over marked voltage when new. At 5.86V its unlikely any features worked unless the camera was designed for the lower voltage and used a higher voltage battery for longevity.
How a device such as a camera preforms in a low voltage condition depends on the design and components in the camera. One camera may work fine at 5.9V and another not.

The new battery tested out @ 6.21 volts out of the package. Of course, if the amperage is sufficiently low, and the circuitry is sturdy enough, a bit over 6 volts won't hurt.

 

[shutterfinger]

The new battery tested out @ 6.21 volts out of the package. Of course, if the amperage is sufficiently low, and the circuitry is sturdy enough, a bit over 6 volts won't hurt.

That's industry standard for batteries to have higher than stated voltage when new and is part of the circuit components design. All solid state electronics are current devices that require a minimum voltage to operate correctly.
If you could check the battery under load in the camera with all features active except focusing motors the voltage drop will be less than .1 volt.