Wein Cell MRB625 & MRB675

[Matus]

As many of you know the Wein Cell (Zinc-air) batteries are a modern replacement for outlawed mercury batteries like PX625 and PX675 used by many older cameras (fixed lens RF for example). Alkaline batteries of the same size do not offer correct voltage (1.5 V instead of 1.35 V) and the cameras needs to be adjusted to use them to get proper light metering.

I have accidentally ordered a few of both types (first I wanted to get the Canonet QL17 which uses the PX625 but finally bough the Konica S3 which runs on PX675).

To my surprise the ONLY difference between MRB625 and MRB675 is about 2 mm thick steel spacer that is used to make up the difference in diameter between these two batteries (the 625 ones are wider than the 675).

This may come handy if you find a deal on one of the two types, but actually need the other one. I just realized that I will be able to use the 4 MRB627 batteries in the Konica S3 - I will just take off the spacer (which is not attached to the battery itself)

 

[Brian Levy]

I tried the Wein cells and they worked well except in my Leica CL where the battery resides in the film chamber. So, I ordered the CHRIS adaptor and in the longer run found it to be the better alternative to the Wein cell. I can find the replacement battery for the MR9 easier than the Wein and they are also less expensive. I do not have to worry about pulling them and taping the hole. When I had the Weins installed I constantly forgot to pull them and the next time I'd use the device had to replace the cell.

 

[OlliL]

On a german distribution page for wein cells, they only sell the ones with spacer and in the describtions they encourage the customers
to detach it by themselves.

 

[Matus]

My understanding of the Wein cells compared to hear-aid batteries is that the Wein cells should last longer - about a year in a camera. So let's see - I have installed one just a week ago and will see how long it lasts. Indeed - to use some sort of converter that allows you to use more common and cheaper batteries is the way to go, but as I happen to have 6 Wein cells I will probably just use them 🙂 (cheap were they not)

 

[sig]

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/batt-adapt-us.pdf

If you plug some of the air holes on the hearing aid battery the battery will last longer, and I do believe that is why the wein cell lasts longer (fewer air holes)