Bessa R3A batteries

[troym]

Has anyone tried using a lithium battery (CR-1/3N or DL-1/3N) in place of two alkaline or silver LR/SR44 batteries for the R3A? Should I avoid doing so?

Basically, I'm interested in the most cold-resistant option, and I understand that lithium outperforms even the silver cells in that respect.

 

[hiwatt]

I haven't tried it, but it should work, voltage-wise, as long as the battery fits in the compartment.
My only doubt has to do with the characteristics of Lithium batteries: they are the best you can get for very high drainage, but they definitely don't like slow discharges. How about a couple of new silver cells in your (warm) pocket?
Better still, how about an all-mechanical camera? 😀 😀 😀

 

[Frank Granovski]

I bought 6 Maxell LR44 alkaline cells which were about $8 Canadian. So far so good (with 4 as spares).

 

[troym]

Thanks. The slow discharge issue is something I hadn't thought of.

 

[yossarian]

Lithiums can do quite well in temperature extremes, and you are eliminating one contact point. However, I find it interesting that back in the old days, Nikon supplied
two silver oxide cells for the F3 while at the same time provided all other models with the 3v lithium.

But as the others have mentioned, when they go, they go FAST.

yossarian

 

[troym]

But as the others have mentioned, when they go, they go FAST.

I thought that the same was true of silver oxide cells--constant current until they die (unlike alkalines, which decrease in strength over time then die).

 

[yossarian]

troym, the lithium power curve is very abrupt, even more so than the silver oxide,
and the nominal voltage is 0.1v less than a pair of s/o, which is why I believe Nikon
chose those rather than the lithium for their flagship.

 

[Fred]

The 1/3 litrhium batteries should work just fine. I've used em in an M7 for nearly a year and 25 rolls of film in the cold. Got plenty of spares just in case.

Note, Casio used lithium batteries in some of there adventure type watches that drain very slowly anthough admittedly more than your every day clock without compass etc.

 

[nwcanonman]

I've used the the 3v lithiums for all my Nikon's since the FM, in the F3HP and now in my Bessa R. They last and last and last, besides performing in cold weather.
I have noticed they are getting harder to find, at least in my area. I had to order some last month on the web and bought a dozen Duracel1/3's from Batteries and Butter (I laughed too), great prices and fast shipping. I always keep an extra in my camera bag ~ ; - )

 

[swoop]

What is the battery life like? How many rolls of film can it go through before new ones are needed?

 

[troym]

What is the battery life like? How many rolls of film can it go through before new ones are needed?

Can't tell you from experience, since I've just gotten the camera and my other body is an R2, in which the batteries tend to last a long time but only operate the meter.

From earlier threads, though, it seems other users are getting something like a dozen rolls on the R2A/R3A with the regular button cells. I would assume that the 1/3 lithium cells have a longer life.

 

[nwcanonman]

Swoop,
That could depend on the camera.
I received my Bessa R over a year ago and have been using the same battery. I switch cameras frequently, but have put more than 20 rolls through the Bessa so far with no sign of losing power. So I've never had to replace one yet.

 

[nwcanonman]

With the SLR's, they typically last around 3 years. The F3HP may get more use (or use more power), and I replace it's battery about 1 1/2 to 2 years.