Question about battery for Canon F-1

[Pfreddee]

I'm thinking of buying a Canon F-1 2nd Model from KEH. Like many cameras from its era, it used a mercury cell to power the meter. Are there any usable substitutes for the mercury battery? And if there aren't any, can the camera be used by manually setting the shutter speed and aperture using a hand-held meter?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[madNbad]

C.R.I.S. MR-9 adapter.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Well you can always use a hand held meter as the 2nd generation Canon F-1, known as the F-1n, is a mechanical camera.

You can send the camera to Ken Oikawa in Sun City California and he can not only give the camera a full CLA, but he can also adjust the meter so you can use silver oxide 1.5 volt batteries, which work similarly to mercury cells.

Best,
-Tim

 

[dourbalistar]

I believe you can use a Wein MRB625 1.35V Zinc-Air Battery. They probably need to be replaced about every six months or so, though. Or you can use a MR-9 adapter with 1.5v silver oxide batteries, as madNbad suggested. The MR-9 adapter has a Schottky diode that reduces the voltage.

 

[Bob Michaels]

The website PX625.com was THE place to buy these mercury batteries when production stopped some 22 years ago. It appears some smart entrepreneur realized how many cameras used them and bought a boatload while they were still available. It was interesting to see how the price ratcheted up as supplies dwindled. I bought many there. Unfortunately he sold the last of his inventory over 15 years ago.

But PX625.com website is still up. And there is a great FAQ section about the various alternatives to these mercury batteries including some commentary from the co-inventor of the Wein cell.

 

[Mackinaw]

i bought a mess of Varta 1.35V mercury batteries from a guy in Australia just when they were discontinued (early 2000's?). I put them in a container in my fridge. I pulled one out last year and put it in my old F-1. The F-1, and the battery, work just fine.

Jim B.

 

[KoNickon]

You can always buy a 625 alkaline battery -- not as readily available (such as at a drugstore -- CVS, Walgreens etc.) but they're still around. Just adjust the ISO to compensate: set it at 200 for 400 speed film, 100 for 200 speed, etc. Yes, the voltage falls off some with time, so that the battery will underexpose a little, but for negative film it's not really an issue.

 

[Beemermark]

I always give the same advice, try a silver oxide battery first. Most better made cameras and meters have circuitry that will compensate for the voltage drop of any battery, silver oxide or mercury. The circuitry may, or may not, be able to compensate for the slightly higher voltage of a silver oxide battery. If it cannot you may have to compensate by changing the iso or exposure compensation. Try a cheap battery first.

 

[Pfreddee]

I bought a Canon FTb instead. I got it for $63.00 plus tax, from KEH. It's in excellent condition and I think I will get a lot of use out of it. The meter is inoperative, which may be an explanation for the low price. Anyway, I'm going to pair it with my Sekonic, and fire away.

I already had a 50mm f/1.8 FD lens just waiting for a camera to be attached to.

Thank you to all who replied.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)