My First SLR Camera.. ...a Miranda Sensorex. The first camera I owned, after my Brownie, was a Yashamat. This was a medium format, twin lens reflex camera, that took 120 film, and 12...

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

...a Miranda Sensorex.

The first camera I owned, after my Brownie, was a Yashamat. This was a medium format, twin lens reflex camera, that took 120 film, and 12 photos. I bought it from my uncle sometime around 1960, for about $50, after he upgraded to a Roliflex. I took the camera with me to Europe in 1968. I put it down for a second in the British Museum, and when I turned around, it was gone.

About a year or or so later, I bought the Miranda Sensorex. I took many slides with this camera, (including a cross country trip in 1972) most of which are still in carousels, waiting to be scanned. For a number reasons, I was out of photography for quite some time, until my wife bought me a Canon 60D for my 65th birthday, 6 years ago. For 45 years the Miranda moved with me several times, and for the last 16 years was sitting in a drawer. Actually, I didn't know it was there until I did a little early spring cleaning last week and found it, along with a Miranda 135 f2.8 mm lens and a Vivitar 28 f2.8 lens. The camera looks worn and dirty. I would like to see if it works, and perhaps take a few shots. It takes a mercury battery, Mallory #625, which I am sure is no longer made. Does anyone know what can be used as a replacement? I would also like to get it cleaned up. However, I checked prices out on line, and it sells for about $30-$150, depending on condition, I guess. So, I am not going to spend a fortune getting into working shape. Any suggestions?

Thanks.
Steve

(Download)

Bill_de Loc: US

https://www.google.com/search?q=mallory+625+battery&oq=mallory+625&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l10.12250j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8

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StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Bill_de wrote:

https://www.google.com/search?q=mallory+625+battery&oq=mallory+625&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l10.12250j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8

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Why didn't I do that search?

Thanks!

kckelly54 Loc: Omaha

[quote=StevenG]...a Miranda Sensorex.

Thanks for posting the pictures. My first SLR was a Miranda Sensomat in 1969. I loved that camera. I forgot about the removable prism.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

my first slr was a sears tower with 50mm and 100mm lenses.

blackest Loc: Ireland

https://www.amazon.com/WeinCell-MRB625-Replacement-Battery-PX625/dp/B00009VQJ7

That's the battery sorted , just need some film :)

Bill_de Loc: US

StevenG wrote:

Why didn't I do that search?

Thanks!

If you had we might have missed out on those fine photos of a fine camera.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

StevenG wrote:

...a Miranda Sensorex. br br The first camera I o... (show quote)

That was also my first SLR. I had the 50mm and 135mm lenses. Unfortunately, a tripod leg collapsed with the camera on top. After that, I got the Miranda Sensorex EE. A couple of years ago, I bought a Sensorex on ebay, just to have one again. Very nice camera.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

[quote=kckelly54]

StevenG wrote:

...a Miranda Sensorex.

Thanks for posting the pictures. My first SLR was a Miranda Sensomat in 1969. I loved that camera. I forgot about the removable prism.

Yes! Considering I came from the Yashicamat, which was held in front of you at waist or chest height, and you looked down into the viewfinder, I loved that feature on the Miranda. I doubt I would use it today. Another cool feature was the depth of field preview button. A consideration when I bought the camera. Although I never found it to work that well.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

blackest wrote:

https://www.amazon.com/WeinCell-MRB625-Replacement-Battery-PX625/dp/B00009VQJ7

That's the battery sorted , just need some film :)

Thanks!

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

That was also my first SLR. I had the 50mm and 135mm lenses. Unfortunately, a tripod leg collapsed with the camera on top. After that, I got the Miranda Sensorex EE. A couple of years ago, I bought a Sensorex on ebay, just to have one again. Very nice camera.

Yes it was. The pictures and slides taken with it have provided many terrific memories!

Herbyderby

There is a 625A (alkaline) replacement battery available. The voltage is 1.5v which is slightly higher than the 1.35v mercury battery. If you left the battery installed since you last used it the battery may have leaked and corroded the battery compartment.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Herbyderby wrote:

There is a 625A (alkaline) replacement battery available. The voltage is 1.5v which is slightly higher than the 1.35v mercury battery. If you left the battery installed since you last used it the battery may have leaked and corroded the battery compartment.

Thanks. I am worried about corrosion, and have been a bit reluctant to check it out. Silly, I know.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Herbyderby wrote:

There is a 625A (alkaline) replacement battery available. The voltage is 1.5v which is slightly higher than the 1.35v mercury battery. If you left the battery installed since you last used it the battery may have leaked and corroded the battery compartment.

If I remember correctly the voltage is critical for the metering to give good readings but the replacement cells should have the right voltage, in order to be a valid replacement.

LEWISHINE

I have several slr cameras that took the old mercury cell.... when you replace it with alkaline, typically it will underexpose 1.5 to 2 stops. The way I fix that is to calibrate the metering using a light table that I measure with a handheld meter and then set the asa to the point where the reading matches. The other way to do it is just to set the asa 2 numbers under and see what you get when you develop the film.... Or, just set the shutter or aperture to 2 stops over... it will take a little experimenting but it will work. Some of the newer models are right on, but I believe they used alkaline or silver oxide as the recommended cell(s) for the camera.... have fun... great camera....