Minolta Auto Meter IIIF blinking LCD

[akptc]

I've had the Minolta Auto Meter IIIF for about 2 years, worked fine until today. I took it out to test it before a trip and every time I try to take a reading, I get the "E" and the entire LCD blinks for 10 sec or so. The battery is brand new. For a test, I setup the ISO and shutter speed to approximate what my K10D indicated, thinking a value was out of range for the meter but that did not help. Is it broken? I would greatly appreciate your ideas on what I can possibly get the meter to work again.

 

[cincyMAT]

The manual for my Type IV Minolta meter states:

"When battery power is low, the displays on the data panel will blink while taking a measurement. If this occurs, install a new battery. When the battery is completely exhausted, the data panel remain blank even after pressing the On/Recall button

When replacing the battery, remove the dead battery, press the On/Recall button to clear the meter's circuit, then insert a fresh battery."

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[Trius]

The IIIF drains the battery when not in use, i.e. it is not really "off". This is a known "bug" in the IIIF, hence I remove the battery when I'm not using the meter.

 

[eric]

Yah, I put a piece of paper in mine so it doesn't make contact. Those batteries are expensive!

 

[akptc]

Mark, Trius, Eric - thanks a bunch for your feedback. I was 100% sure the battery was fresh but indeed, that was the problem, must have drained somehow. A new battery went in and the metter is back to normal. This time I've inserted a piece of Mylar between the contacts to make sure it doesn't happen again. - thanks again.