Pentax SP1000 battery?

[Andy Kibber]

Hi all,

I recently hauled my father's old SP1000 out of storage. The battery is dead. I took a quick look online and there's some conflicting information about what current batteries can be used with the SP1000. Anyone using an SP1000? What battery do you use?

Andrew

 

[bucs]

wein cell

wein cell

guess this camera battery cross reference chart could help http://www.weincell.com/weinchart.htm

it says there mrb400 (replaces rm400/v400px)

 

[shimokita]

according to the information I have the SP1000 took one of the following batteries

Mallory PX-400 or RM-400-R

If so, then it's the same as the Spotmatic that I have, and I use an "H-B Adapter" and the common "Maxell SR626SW" battery. Works like a charm...

See the following link for information on mercury battery replacements...

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_mercury_catalogue.htm

FYI: For the Spotmatic F, I use the MR-9 Adapter and the Maxell SR43W battery.

Both are great cameras...

Casey

 

[Mark Wood]

I can confirm from experience that the Wein Cell MRB400 works perfectly in an SP1000! In fact the meter gives remarkably accurate results, even using transparency film. After my first Wein Cell expired, I pushed the actual battery out of its black (rubber/plastic?) washer and replaced it with an identically sized 1.35 V zinc/air hearing aid battery (I can't remember the number) and that continues to give perfect readings several months on at a fraction of the original Wein Cell price.

I've read several reports that state that the Spotmatic series use a bridge circuit for the meter, making its accurate operation independent of battery voltage. (Interestingly, I've never seen anyone produce an actual circuit diagram to prove this, although I'd welcome the opportunity to see one.) To test this out, I've compared an original mercury battery and its Wein Cell equivalent (both 1.35 V) against a 1.5 V alkaline battery in my SP1000 and the latter causes the meter to consistently "over-read" (i.e. underexpose) by anything up to 2 stops.

So, a vote for zinc/air hearing aid batteries here with a little help from the holder from a Wein Cell or the voltage-reducing H-B adapter with silver oxide cells Casey mentioned above. Given how cheaply the hearing aid battery route gives accurate exposure meter readings and how easy it is to buy the batteries, I can't see any point in recalibrating an already properly set-up camera for alkaline or silver oxide cells.

 

[Mark Wood]

PS. I think the zinc/air hearing aid batteries I'm using are probably the PR41 (AC312, ZA312) type.

 

[Andy Kibber]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Very helpful.

 

[Mark Wood]

PS. I think the zinc/air hearing aid batteries I'm using are probably the PR41 (AC312, ZA312) type.

Actually, the dimensions quoted for PR41 look to be too large. Maybe it's PR60? I'd better check which one it really is but I definitely have a PR-type hearing aid battery the same size as the one in the MRB-400 Wein Cell...!

 

[paulfish4570]

Energizer 387S low drain batt runs my SP1000 meter like a champ. They are available inexpensively on the bay/net ...

 

[Mark Wood]

Actually, the dimensions quoted for PR41 look to be too large. Maybe it's PR60? I'd better check which one it really is but I definitely have a PR-type hearing aid battery the same size as the one in the MRB-400 Wein Cell...!

I've just checked and PR41 it is.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I love my SP1000. Mine has a 394 silver cell installed and meter works fine.

Chris