Canonet Batteries?

[Bobfrance]

Hi All,

I've just purchased a Canonet QL25 through ebay. This is my first vfenture into older rangefinders.

The camera appears almost mint and I'm very pleased with it - however it needs some batteries.

Are the batteries still available? And if not, what is the modern equivalent? Does anybody have the code number or details of anyone who supplies them?

I'm assuming the shutter doesn't fire without the battries installed or have I been sold a dud?
Also can the internals of the viewfinder be cleaned easily? The view through it appears a little hazy or is this normal.

Many thanks in advance!

Bob.

 

[gb hill]

If it's like my ql-17 the battery is a px625. I think the battery only operates the meter but am not 100% sure.

 

[gb hill]

Your in England so I have heard thay still make the mercury batteries the camera was designed for. The px625 is an alkaline thats only available to us in the states. But i'm sure it's common over there also.

Goog luck with the camera.

Greg

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the info gb hill. It's much appreciated.

I've just ordered a pack of three PX 625s from these guys. www.directfoto.co.uk

It only came to £2.10 with free shipping. which I thought was pretty good!

I just hope the camera actually works!

Bob.

 

[payasam]

The alkaline 625 gives 1.5 volts, whereas what you want is the 1.35 volts of the mercury PX625.

 

[Xmas]

Bob

It was designed for a Hg 1.35v cell (illegal in UK now) so the alkaline 1.5 dropping rapidly wont be an as good 'as a new' solution, - an Ag cell with Shockey diode or hearing air cell is a purist solution, but might not be necessary if you adjust the film speed.

PM Your postal and I'll jiffy bag an Hg cell on iis last legs for shelf storage, but otherwise 'new', You gotta scouts honour not to trash can it as it gets into water table.

Noel

P.S. if you look at related posts there are similar stories and google will get you all the tecco details, your little camera is real nice.

 

[mpt600]

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/ have a number of solutions for this. In fact they're a great source for all those hard to find batteries.

 

[Xmas]

Try setting the aparature to 5.6 and the shutter to 125, that will work ok with Ilford B&W, - it is the Lancs equivalent of the sunny side f/16 rule.

The finder probable needs a clean, wait until it breaks then post.

Noel

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the info everyone and many thanks for your kind offer xmas (I've PM'd you).

I am a little worried about the shutter Still no joy and I've tried it on manual.
Am I right in assuming it should still work without film in?

 

[erikhaugsby]

Hey Noel, where do you find your mercury batteries? I for the life of me can't find any place online to get them, even from Eastern Europe countries (where I understand they are still legal).

 

[Xmas]

Ronsonal = Zippo fluid, but you need to find out where/how to gain access, not easy, bodgers way is S facing window sill which might melt the 'glue/wax' and then while warm operate the shutter 500 times, might work temporarily...

You had to buy the batteries in '01 they have (had) a shelf life of about 5 years... otherwise Shockey diode when you next take the camera apart, and AgO cell.

Noel

 

[arbib]

What you need is a WEIN CELL "MRB625" 1.35v. It is a Zinc based battery with a fairly constant voltage throughout it's life. (Like the Mercury Cell).

works for:

Many more than below,, Just samples that may be of interest here:

[SIZE=+1]CANON[/SIZE]Qty.A35F1*Cononet 28, Gill 17, QL 19, TLB, QL 19E,QL25S, Dial 35, Dial 35-2, Dial Rapid,Pellix, Pelix QL1EF2EX EE, EX EE Auto, Old F-1, F- 1n, FTb,FTb-TX, FT-QL, FX, TX, Demi 17, Demi EE 17
[SIZE=+1]KONICA[/SIZE]Qty.EE-Matic, TC1FS-1, T42Auto-S, Auto S/1.6, Auto S-2,1Auto S-261 (for meter)1Auto-Reflex Autorex1
[SIZE=+1]KOWA[/SIZE]Qty.SE, SER, SET, SET-R, SET-R1Super 66, 6MM, 6 Meter/Finder, Meter/Prism1
[SIZE=+1]LEITZ/LEICA[/SIZE]Qty.Leica CL, M5, Leicaflex, SL, SL-MOT 1Leicaflex SL2, SL2-MOT2
[SIZE=+1]MINOLTA[/SIZE]Qty.Auto Pak 7001SR-7, SR-7V, SR-100, SR-101, SR-102, SR-200, SR-201, SR-202, SR-MC, SR-SC, SRT200, SRT201, SRT202, SRT-MC II, SRT-SC II1Hi-Matics: 7, 7S, 111
[SIZE=+1]NIKON[/SIZE]Qty.Nikkormat FT, FTN, F, Photomic Finder DP I, II1
[SIZE=+1]OLYMPUS[/SIZE]Qty.35, 35 DC, 35 LC, 35 RC, 35 RD, 35 SC, 35 SP, 35 SPN, 35 UC1EED, FTL, M-11
[SIZE=+1]PETRI[/SIZE]Qty.FT, FT 11, FTX, M35, V6 II1Anscomatic 726, Computer 35, Flex 71Color 351*Racer, Rapid1
[SIZE=+1]ROLLEI[/SIZE]Qty.35S, 35T, A26, XF351Rolleiflex SL26, SL35, SL35M, SL350 1Rolleimat F1*



More. They provide the proper 1.35v at a constant voltage, Since those older camera's DID NOT have voltage regulators to compensate for battery voltage fluxuation during its life..

 

[Xmas]

You need to file a pair of needle nosed pliers so they just fit the notches, and take care not to slip and mar...

Noel

 

[Xmas]

Bob

If you want to be picky you can make a sub by

http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/download/batt-adapt-US.pdf

Noel

 

[Xmas]

No you still have to use an AgO or similar with a fixed voltage, that is the point of the reference, a complete brief.

Noel

 

[Xmas]

You may be using an AgO? Or still at the beginning of the life cycle or the camera may use a bridge cell, some do. Or you are not shooting chrome film.

Noel

 

[Xmas]

Hmmm, something wrong - the Hg cells were 1.33 v for ever until they dropped to zero sudden death, the AgO are 1.5 V until they die nearly as quickly the Alks, NiH, etc. will slowly fade away, see the referenced graphs.

So.....

Noel

 

[outfitter]

What you need is a WEIN CELL "MRB625" 1.35v. It is a Zinc based battery with a fairly constant voltage throughout it's life. (Like the Mercury Cell).


More. They provide the proper 1.35v at a constant voltage, Since those older camera's DID NOT have voltage regulators to compensate for battery voltage fluxuation during its life..

These are nothing but the US$0.75 625 hearing aid battery with a few less holes so they (in theory) last a bit longer. I take the hearing aid battery put a #9 or similar O-ring around it and a small washer on the positive surface for good contact (may not be necessary) and a get almost a year's use - this week I just changed the battery in my GIII I put in at the beginning of last summer. Even if I only got a few months for 75 cents I can be a sport.

This is not a "specialist solution" to my way of thinking as it provides the proper constant voltage quickly (basically drop in) and very cheaply and avoids solutions that create other problems or risk damage. I know it may be just too simple and too cheap for some but it works. BTW I just replace last year's battery on my Rollei 35S - same method (no washer). All readings are bang on with both cameras.

 

[arbib]

These are nothing but the US$0.75 625 hearing aid battery with a few less holes so they (in theory) last a bit longer. I take the hearing aid battery put a #9 or similar O-ring around it and a small washer on the positive surface for good contact (may not be necessary) and a get almost a year's use - this week I just changed the battery in my GIII I put in at the beginning of last summer. Even if I only got a few months for 75 cents I can be a sport.

This is not a "specialist solution" to my way of thinking as it provides the proper constant voltage quickly (basically drop in) and very cheaply and avoids solutions that create other problems or risk damage. I know it may be just too simple and too cheap for some but it works. BTW I just replace last year's battery on my Rollei 35S - same method (no washer). All readings are bang on with both cameras.

I will have to look into this....$0.75 over $6.75..... I could get 4-5.... +9 "O" ring. Thanks

 

[arbib]

Actually the number for the hearing aid batteries is 675. With the o-ring thay will do fine.

Makes sence....Just got a Wein 675 zink for $6.75 for my Vivitar 24 CDS shoe mount meter 😡 . Oh well. At least I know now, for the next replacement time.