Nikkormat FT3 battery replacement how to?

[68degrees]

I have the option to buy a Nikkormat FT3 but while inspecting it, I cannot open the battery chamber.

On my fm you simply take a coin and unscrew it and then replace the battery. On this model, i try to unscrew it but it only unscrews a quarter turn and feels loose but wont drop out?

Question: on the FT3, does the battery cover unscrew completely or is it one of those cameras where you only unscrew it a quarter turn and it falls out?

The slot is quite worn and cannot be gripped very good. I hate to force it if it is only designed to unscrew a quarter turn, basically just lock and unlock.

please advise. Thanks

 

[KoNickon]

Yes, it's a bayonet -- turns 1/4 turn and should come out at that point. It should give less resistance as you turn it, and you should stop when you start to feel more resistance (you'll have gone too far at that point). If it doesn't come out after 1/4 turn, try prying it out with something that won't bend or mar the metal (a toothpick maybe?). I hope the fact it doesn't come out easily is not an indication of corrosion in the battery chamber.

 

[68degrees]

Thanks Ko. I got it. No corrosion. New battery installed and the meter works perfect. Very stable and sensitive. Thrift store find! black body, virtually no brassing. So far looking very good.

 

[KoNickon]

Thanks Ko. I got it. No corrosion. New battery installed and the meter works perfect. Very stable and sensitive. Thrift store find! black body, virtually no brassing. So far looking very good.

A black FT3? Wow, great find indeed! I will probably be green with envy if you say what you paid. It's a really nice camera, as you are finding out. Put an AI 50/2 Nikkor on it and you have a classic kit.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Black FT3 with a working meter is a rare thing! Get that camera CLA'd and it's a keeper!
You should have the meter adjusted for new 1.55v batteries as they were made to take 1.35v Mercury batteries and the voltage will give you a logarithmic metering error.

Phil Forrest

 

[68degrees]

Black FT3 with a working meter is a rare thing! Get that camera CLA'd and it's a keeper!
You should have the meter adjusted for new 1.55v batteries as they were made to take 1.35v Mercury batteries and the voltage will give you a logarithmic metering error.

Phil Forrest

according the original FT3 manual that was included it says on page 25

"The Nikkormat FT3's meter circuit is powered by a single 1.5-volt silver-oxide battery located in the battery chamber on the camera baseplate."

So i replaced it with energizer 357 1.55v silver oxide. Do you think the .05 more voltage will make a difference or hurt the meter?

 

[KoNickon]

No difference or harm whatsoever. A 357 or a 76 will work fine.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

What do you know. I thought they were Mercury. Cool, cool.

Phil Forrest

 

[ray*j*gun]

Ah Nikkormats ..... I saw one listed on KEH for $19.00 in BGN condition. I don't remember which model but they are all good..... I mean $19.00 jeeze all metal brass gears WTF?

 

[djcphoto]

Lucky dog! Just got one myself this week, although it's the chrome body. Cost me $50 with the 50mm F/1.4 lens. Crazy really, for such a well made camera. Just finished running a roll through it and I'm excited to process it tonight!

 

[Kenj8246]

I'm waiting on a black FT3 w/AI 50/2 that's not pretty but supposedly in good shape otherwise. The guy replaced the seals and mirror bumper. I have a chrome FT2 that looks a lot like the one above. I'm good to go. 🙂.

Kenny

 

[Dwig]

What do you know. I thought they were Mercury. Cool, cool.

Phil Forrest

The Nikkormat FT and FTn models use a mercury PX13 or PX625 battery.

The Nikkormat FT2 and FT3 models use a silver-oxide MS76 aka G-13 or 357 battery.

The Nikkormat FS had no meter so it has no need for a battery.

BTW, in near worst case situations removing the baseplate of a Nikkormat will get access to the battery compartment and inside of the battery cover when corrosion prevents removing the cover the normal way. Also, forcibly turning the battery cover more than 1/4 turn when opening can bend the tabs slightly causing it to bind and become hard to remove without slightly turning it back the other way.

 

[68degrees]

Also, forcibly turning the battery cover more than 1/4 turn when opening can bend the tabs slightly causing it to bind and become hard to remove without slightly turning it back the other way.

I think somebody must have done this because I did turn it back the other way and then it opened normally when I went counterclockwise. Now it opens and closes easily and normally.

 

[farlymac]

Good to hear it was an easy fix on that battery door. I think you'll like the FT3.

PF

 

[68degrees]

I'm waiting on a black FT3 w/AI 50/2 that's not pretty but supposedly in good shape otherwise. The guy replaced the seals and mirror bumper. I have a chrome FT2 that looks a lot like the one above. I'm good to go. 🙂.

Kenny

kenny did you get your ft3 yet?