Just bought Canonet QL 17--What battery to get?

[zimster]

I've been reading about this camera all day and have already fallen in love with it. I just purchased it 5 minutes ago on ebay. So I won't get it until next week. I know it won't come with a battery.

After reading about the battery issue I am not sure what to get. Is there a consensus on what to do? Hearing aid, alkaline, wien, what do y'all recommend.

Thanks, Zimster

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Boy... you've been reading about the camera and then went for one. That's an act of faith. Good luck!

Now... about batteries, in case your camera has a live meter, fit it with a Wein cell (which won't last long, be warned) or use a Duracell or Varta PX625... which is a 1.5 V battery, a bit too much for a camera designed for a 1.35 V battery. Two schools of though come in here: the ones that say the 1.5 V battery won't cause any exposure problems even if it's over-powered, and those who believe that precisely because of the overpowering battery the meter is bound to act up.

I have a Canonet. I don't know if it was fitted to work with 1.5 V batteries. I have used those in my camera and my exposures have been always on spot. In case you don't have a Radio Shack store in your town to buy a Wein cell, get a PX625 from any good ole Wally world and try that on the Canonet.

BTW, is your purchase a QL17 G-III? Or is it just QL17?

Whichever it be, enjoy your toy! 🙂

 

[rogue_designer]

I bought several of the MR9 battery adapters from CHRIS Camera Services
http://www.criscam.com/

Those adapt the voltage of standard Silver 386 batteries down to match old mercury 625's (which I believe is what the Canonet uses)

They are a bit pricey, but I have several cameras in my collection that use this size, so I swap them around. It's proven cheaper than stockpiling Varta and Wein cells.

 

[tomtodeath]

first, try and find out if the camera has been cla'd or repaired. alot of canonets were recalibrated to adapt to the 1.5v battery. if not, id recommend the silver battery over the alkaline because alkaline batteries decrease in voltage as they die out, and can cause some headaches. if not, buy a handfull of (1.3v) wein cells (they dont last) or an adapter.

as for the argument on wether or not the voltage differents directly affects exposure, with this camera, it does. some similar cameras have built in regulators, but the canonets do not. ive tested both batteries in mine, and compared to my slr's meter and a grey card, my camera has not been recalibrated and is only acurate with the 1.35v batteries.

if you have trouble finding them, try http://www.photobattery.com/

ps.
if the meter doesnt work, you many just need to clean the contacts with an eraser.

 

[BrianShaw]

as for the argument on wether or not the voltage differents directly affects exposure, with this camera, it does. some similar cameras have built in regulators, but the canonets do not. ive tested both batteries in mine, and compared to my slr's meter and a grey card, my camera has not been recalibrated and is only acurate with the 1.35v batteries.

There should be no argument here... Tom is correct. I, too, can attest to this fact.

I've used a MR-9 converter and have had very good success. The only better success I've had is to ignore the "A" altogether and use a light meter and manual shutter control.

That being said... I'm not an enthusiast of the Canonet image/camera quality and much prefer other rangefinders. But it is a very affordable solution and others have had very good success with theirs.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Kat]

I prefer the hearing aid batteries. No funky curve of alkalines, no off meter readings of higher voltage silver oxide, and no high prices of adaptors/wein cells. BUT, you either change batts frequently due to fast drainage, or give up spontaneity by replacing the cover of the holes after each use.

 

[UnionAve]

I have both an original QL 17 and a GIII version. The Wein batteries give me much better exposures than the 1.5 volt alkaline batteries.. The 1.5s always underexposed the shots.

 

[zimster]

Thanks everybody for your quick replies. It is the plain QL 17. I won't get it until late next week and I was hoping to be ready to use it as soon I open the package.

I guess I will have to look in the battery case first and see what is in there. But I will know all the options.

 

[airds]

Varta V675PXs

Varta V675PXs

If your quick guys, 7 left

"Varta V675PX 1.35 Volt Mercury battery V 675 PX"

B.I.N. £4.99 (~USD 9.25) + your relevant p&p. On UK ebay at http://snipurl.com/sjwh

with standard eBay riders .....


Good luck.

 

[dmr]

I prefer the hearing aid batteries. No funky curve of alkalines, no off meter readings of higher voltage silver oxide, and no high prices of adaptors/wein cells. BUT, you either change batts frequently due to fast drainage, or give up spontaneity by replacing the cover of the holes after each use.

Kat, about how often, as in days?, weeks?, does a hearing aid type battery last?

Every time I go to the prescription window at Walgreens I see those packs of type 625 hearing aid batteries, and I always think about trying them. Thanks 🙂

 

[Kat]

The feedback seems to vary. I haven't tried leaving the battery "on" (without the tape) all the time but others say a few to several weeks, I think. I've used only one, it started dying after several months, but I don't take photos as much or as often as everyone here, probably around 5 or more rolls for that battery over that time.

 

[zimster]

The seller answered my email. The battery compartment is clean and unmodified. I will try hearing aid batteries first but only because they seem to be the cheapest.

If anyone is really desperate for a mercury battery there is one 625 from ebay in Germany:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Batterien-fue...ryZ15225QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem