Found a source for the P625X Battery!

[cuchulainn]

I just found out that Radio Shack is now carrying the modern replacement versions for cameras. For a wile, I couldn't find the anywhere! Now, if I could find those darn 3 volt ones that are similar to the AA size (forgot the number offhand).

[Deleted]

Just a word of warning. If its an alkaline battery it probably isn't going to work that well. Alkalines just don't produce as steady a voltage as the old mercury cells did.

Here's some info from the web

"Major battery manufacturers haven't been helpful either. Alkaline batteries offered as replacements for the PX-13 / PX-625 and the PX-675 are poor substitutes for the reliably consistent voltage supplied by dependable mercury photo batteries.


"For example, Duracell's new 1.5 volt PX-625 alkaline battery yields inaccurate light meter readings and underexposed pictures. In the first place, it's the wrong voltage. If the 1.5 volts were consistent it would be relatively easy to manually compensate for this, but alkaline batteries (unlike mercury cells) decline in voltage during their lifespan making it near impossible to accurately adjust the meter reading. rta also makes an alkaline substitute.

"Cameras and meters using the alkaline substitute have been reported to be inaccurate by as much as 1.5 stops. This is a total disaster for photographers who shoot slide film. Even a one-half stop exposure mistake with transparency film can mean the difference between a perfect slide and garbage, especially in contrasty lighting situations."

"The original PX625 was, I believe, 1.35 volts. There is a smaller hearing aid silver battery of that voltage and I got a machined brass fitting (I forget where) that the silver battery fit in and it makes it the correct dimensions for a PX 625 battery compartment.

There are zinc-air replacements from Wein, too but they don't last long and once they are activated they only are good for about six months--even if you don'y shoot any pictures.

[nikonbob]

The Oly OM1 that I just got takes the older mercury batteries. A quick check on the net suggested that a zinc air hearing aid battery 675 would work and is the same voltage as the original. The replacement is not the same size as the original so I used an O ring as a spacer. The OM1 meter agrees with the meter on my D700 so it looks like it works. The drawback is that zinc air gon't last long but they are very cheap and plentiful.

Bob

[herron]

I've had some luck with batteries at this site:
www.photobattery.com/