Canon F1 second version question.

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What battery does the second F1 version use. I have got one on the way here and if I like it and keep it, I will need a battery for the meter.
I have searched the waves and can not get a definitive answer.
Thank you for any help.
Cheers,
James.
 
The second version, basically a mildly updated version of the first, uses a 1.35V mercury battery, which are no longer produced. Many use a zinc-air Weincell instead.

Jim B.
 
Original F-1 uses mercury 625.
Slightly updated F-1n uses mercury 625.
New F-1 or F-1N completely redesigned uses A544, PX28A, 4LR44, or equivalent.

The mercury battery can be updated with a zinc air hearing aid type battery, with a CRIS adapter and silver battery, or modified with a diode and silver cell.
 
Looking into these batteries and their adapters, I see nothing that has a long term supply. So is this the outcome now, that there is no longer a reliable battery supply for this cameras light meter ??
 
Spavinaw said:
Original F-1 uses mercury 625.
Slightly updated F-1n uses mercury 625.
New F-1 or F-1N completely redesigned uses A544, PX28A, 4LR44, or equivalent.

The mercury battery can be updated with a zinc air hearing aid type battery, with a CRIS adapter and silver battery, or modified with a diode and silver cell.
Click to expand...

Well I have searched for the diode method but have found nothing. Could you please post a link on this method and how I can achieve this power source.
 
Look for MR-9 battery adapter (either on ebay/amazon). It will adapt 386 battery (available on ebay/amazon,etc.) to the proper size/voltage. I Use one of those with many of my cameras, including Leica M5, Olympus OM1, etc.
 
I also use a CRIS MR-9 adapter with a 386 silver battery in my F-1n. The meter has been very accurate and battery life has not been an issue.
 
Well it came and I am returning it. The body is beautiful with some brassing and two tiny dents but the prism is badly scratched. I doubt they were both from the same user.
I have my late Fathers EF and have always wanted a look at the F1 second version. My brother has the latest version but I never liked its electrical downside.
Too much money and too many cameras is my problem. Was at the beach last week and took this ridiculous amount of gear.
Hasselblad 503CW, Rolleiflex F3.5, Zeiss Super Ikonta Opton, Voigtlander Perkeo 11, Leica M6 and a digital. I used all except the digital. Sadly there were other Hasselblads I nearly took.
Too many choices I believe reduces creativity. I am 99% black and white film and when I got my first Hasselblad 500CM in 1983, I thought at the time it would be my last camera. Got the train down to London and traded a Canon AE1 for the brand new Hasselblad at Fox Talberts. Returned immediately for Doncaster on the train and started to check her out. A bus boy came by asking me if I wanted a cup of coffee, I asked him how much they were, he replied immediately....

“IF YOU CAN AFFORD THAT CAMERA, YOU CAN AFFORD A CUP OF BRITISH RAIL COFFEE”

....and promptly poured me one. I have never forgotten that even after forty years.
I need to stop buying old mechanical cameras, FULL STOP.
 
jmpgino said:
... A bus boy came by asking me if I wanted a cup of coffee, I asked him how much they were, he replied immediately....

“IF YOU CAN AFFORD THAT CAMERA, YOU CAN AFFORD A CUP OF BRITISH RAIL COFFEE”

....and promptly poured me one. I have never forgotten that even after forty years.
...
Click to expand...

Great story.

Don't be daunted by the battery issue - there are plenty of people using cameras which required mercury batteries such that there will always be a reliable source of alternatives.

It's worth waiting for a nice unabused F-1n -- I've seen plenty of them which were obviously well cared for.
 
Pál_K said:
Don't be daunted by the battery issue - there are plenty of people using cameras which required mercury batteries such that there will always be a reliable source of alternatives.
Click to expand...

I have too many cameras - 50 years worth. 90% of the ones that originally required a mercury battery work just fine with a silver oxide battery. It's usually the cheaper ones (like point and shoots) that don't have the circuitry to cope with battery voltage drop (or over supply). It's a very simple circuit.
 
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