OM4T battery?

[oscroft]

I just got an OM4T, which I like so far 😀

I was surprised to find it's got a 3v lithium battery in it - I was expecting 2xSR44 1.5v (The seller also included two spare lithium batteries). The meter seems to work fine and agrees with my other OMs (powered by SR44s).

I did some searching and found an article that said a 3v lithium battery will fit and will work, but is not recommended - but it gave no reason why not. Does anyone know?

Cheers,

 

[ferider]

I use 2 x SR44 or the Varta CR 1/3 N interchangably on both OM4 and Leica M6. Never caused a problem. Maybe Olympus recommended Silver Oxide only for a desired fall-off behavior.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The meter will be accurate with the lithium battery, but because the current draw of the OM-4 and 4T is fairly large, it works better with Silver Oxides....they last a lot longer. I change my silver oxides in my 4T bodies about every 6 months, but i use mine daily. If you don't use the camera every day like I do, the silver oxides will last over a year.

 

[oscroft]

Thanks folks. It's good to know the lithium batteries won't do any harm, so I'll use them up before I go back to my usual SR44s

 

[chippy]

I use the SR44, or rather the 387 batteries (same battery but Eveready brand) because they are cheap and available almost anywhere. i did read once that the lithium 3V doesn't give a consistent result for the light meter as it becomes depleted, not as bad as the alkaline batteries but still not as consistent as the 387/SR44. i haven't tested it myself so i cant say whether its a fact or not

 

[Trius]

357, I believe.

 

[chippy]

true, typed the wrong number for some reason...357 it is

 

[George S.]

Only slver oxides are recommended by Olympus because of the uneven performance once they start to fall off -they may still test OK with the camera's battery check feature, but really may not have enough juice for reliable performance and you may suffer a sudden mirror lock up which makes the camera inoperable until fresh batteries are installed.

 

[oscroft]

Thanks again folks.

I think I'm safe to use up the lithium cells I have (I hate to waste things) - I'll change them if I notice any fall-off effects in the results (which I suspect is unlikely as I mostly use B&W). I always have a few silver cells in my bag, so I'll be OK if one dies while I'm out with it. The important thing for me is that lithium cells won't do any damage to the circuitry.

Cheers,

 

[John Hermanson]

4T, Ti have low level battery drain. It's always there, red B/60 does not turn it off. The lithium battery can be used but (along with alkaline LR44 & A76) will have the shortest life. Silver oxide 357, SR-44W, G-13, MS76, KS76, S76, 303 are best. John