Sverdlovsk-6 Batteries?

If I'm not mistaken it's just like the Sverdlovsk-4 and uses three Soviet 1.25V batteries (3РЦ53) that haven't been made in twenty years or so. A lot of Soviet photo equipment uses 3РЦ53 cells.

At least in the Sverdlovsk you can replace this using three 1.5V button cells using a coin for a spacer, like the Russians do. Apparently the circuits are voltage-compensating and work with 4.5V, too.
 
Sounds good - 3 LR44/SR44s taped together with a spacer, on the plus or minus side of the batteries?

What's the general opinion on the meter?
 
I never used the Sverdlovsk-6 but didn't like it when I saw it. The Sverdlovsk-4 is fine.

In a similar vein, the second post here compares it to the Sverdlovsk-4 as follows:

S-6: slow junk, will do the job in good lighting, badly made
S-4: works well even in bad lighting and there is a viewfinder window, which may not always coincide with the metering area though ;)
 
I use a PC backup battery in my Sverdlovsk 4. Works perfectly, fits nicely and it's rechargeable (holds the charge for many months too, being a backup battery). It's also just the right voltage (3.6V). I can't speak from personal experience on the 6 but it looks like they cheapened it by leaving off the viewfinder, at least.
 
Do you have the code for the PC battery?

Do you have the code for the PC battery?

Model or whatever else, would be most helpful.
 
Model or whatever else, would be most helpful.
I got it from Maplin Electronics, in the UK, their order code is BN22Y
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=30958

It's made by Varta and the printing on the side says:
3.6V 80MA
ESP/7/64/718C

I'm sure other electronics stockists will have the same or similar. I had to remove the tab from the negative end and bend the tab over at the other end to make it fit correctly with good contact but that was easy enough.

It has enough capacity to power the Sverdlovsk 4 for several hours continuously. Being a backup battery, it also holds its charge for months and months. I've only charged it a couple of times, more as a precaution than because I ran it flat!
 
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I received a Sverdlovsk-4 thrown in the box with some other gear (Kiev 4 no meter with some extra lenses), in Russia. To my surprise, it is working already with no changes and appears to be accurate.

So I have been able to establish the OFFICIAL Russian approach to new batteries: three button cells in a plasticy sleeve, three one-Kopeck Russian coins, three ten-Kopiika Ukrainian coins. Works great.

I doubt the mix of Russian/Ukrainian coins is obligatory - more likely because it came from a border town ;)
 
I received a Sverdlovsk-4 thrown in the box with some other gear (Kiev 4 no meter with some extra lenses), in Russia. To my surprise, it is working already with no changes and appears to be accurate.

So I have been able to establish the OFFICIAL Russian approach to new batteries: three button cells in a plasticy sleeve, three one-Kopeck Russian coins, three ten-Kopiika Ukrainian coins. Works great.

I doubt the mix of Russian/Ukrainian coins is obligatory - more likely because it came from a border town ;)
Nice surprise! You mean they threw it in for free or you bought it? Enjoy, it's a nice meter. Not the fastest to use but mine gives me good results.

Three button cells is a touch over the stated voltage (3 - 4V) but I doubt it matters for how little over it'll be when under load. Interesting coins - I'm sure the meter doesn't care what they are!
 
Not really...

Not really...

Nice surprise! You mean they threw it in for free or you bought it? Enjoy, it's a nice meter. Not the fastest to use but mine gives me good results.

Three button cells is a touch over the stated voltage (3 - 4V) but I doubt it matters for how little over it'll be when under load. Interesting coins - I'm sure the meter doesn't care what they are!

I was really buying the kit, and I knew the meter was in there, but didn't care so much. Now I've got it, well, allows me to delay buying a separate meter for a bit longer. Or even never.
 
So I have been able to establish the OFFICIAL Russian approach to new batteries: three button cells in a plasticy sleeve, three one-Kopeck Russian coins, three ten-Kopiika Ukrainian coins. Works great.

This is basically what everybody seems to recommend on Russian camera forums to replace the RTs53 cells (well, with different currency denominations maybe). I got a Kiev metered prism once that had the same battery arrangement.

The Sverdlovsk-4 is quite decent. As long as you don't need spot metering or want an extra small meter, it will do the job.
 
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