Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged out my old F2, Bronica S, Yashika and Gossen Luna Pro, ordered more film and then discovered I had no good batteries for the F2 and Luna Pro.
Question 1. Anyone know of replacement batteries these. There is too much conflicting information on the web, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
Question 2. While waiting for batteries, would it work if I used my D5200 as an expensive light meter. Set the ISO and shutter speed to duplicate the film camera and use the f-stop shown on the 5200 to set the f-stop on the film camera.
Which batteries does your camera use? I might have a solution.
Using your digital camera as a light meter should work, or get you pretty close.
--Bob
Curmudgeon wrote:
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged out my old F2, Bronica S, Yashika and Gossen Luna Pro, ordered more film and then discovered I had no good batteries for the F2 and Luna Pro.
Question 1. Anyone know of replacement batteries these. There is too much conflicting information on the web, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
Question 2. While waiting for batteries, would it work if I used my D5200 as an expensive light meter. Set the ISO and shutter speed to duplicate the film camera and use the f-stop shown on the 5200 to set the f-stop on the film camera.
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged... (
show quote)
I have a Nikon F2. My notes that are with the camera manual say...Duracell MS76 and is followed by EPX 76. The manual reads "the Photomic finder is powered y two 1.5V silver batteries." As for your Gossen Luna Pro light meter, I have one of those also. The manual says "Make sure that you use only Mallory PX 13 batteries for your Luna Pro." They refer to King Photo Company PO Box 1060, Woodside, N.Y. 11377. They also state that those batteries are Mercury batteries. You can also contact Gossen via the Internet for more information. Hope this helps. (you have good choice in equipment my friend!)
I don't know about the F2, but the Luna Pro uses PX13 or PX625 batteries. B&H cells a Wein MRB675 zinc-air battery that will work for $4.59. Being a zinc-air battery it will not last nearly as long as the original PX13 and may loose substantial charge over time even if not used.
MS76 batteries can no longer be sold in the US because of the mercury. A76 batteries can physically be used instead without damage, but they will probably not give you consistent results.
The MS76 battery produces a very nearly constant output voltage until just before it is exhausted. The A76 is an alkaline battery whose output voltage declines pretty linearly over its life. Your camera depends on the MS battery, and does not have a voltage regulator, so your metering will get progressively less accurate as the battery discharges.
I know this because my Olympus OM1N and OM2N used this same battery, and that's exactly what happened when I tried to use the alkaline 'equivalent.' My OM2S, on the other hand, does have a voltage regulator and can use the A76 batteries just fine.
For the Mercury batteries, here's the solution. My Nikon F uses the PX-625 battery. These are Mercury batteries and no longer available. What I found, and have used since 2002, is the MR-9 adapter.
https://shop.criscam.com/products/mr-9-mercury-battery-adapterThis adapter has a built-in voltage regulator that, when installed, drops the voltage to the required 1.3V. The batteries I use with this are the readily available 386 batteries. They are 1.5V, but the regulator reduces that to 1.3V. I also use these in my Weston meters.
Please, be advised there are adapters being sold out there that look like but don't work like the MR-9. They don't regulate the voltage. The adapters are a bit pricey, but you only need to purchase them once. In my F, the batteries last more than a year, but I replace them every New Year's Day.
--Bob
Curmudgeon wrote:
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged out my old F2, Bronica S, Yashika and Gossen Luna Pro, ordered more film and then discovered I had no good batteries for the F2 and Luna Pro.
Question 1. Anyone know of replacement batteries these. There is too much conflicting information on the web, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
Question 2. While waiting for batteries, would it work if I used my D5200 as an expensive light meter. Set the ISO and shutter speed to duplicate the film camera and use the f-stop shown on the 5200 to set the f-stop on the film camera.
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged... (
show quote)
larryepage wrote:
MS76 batteries can no longer be sold in the US because of the mercury. A76 batteries can physically be used instead without damage, but they will probably not give you consistent results.
The MS76 battery produces a very nearly constant output voltage until just before it is exhausted. The A76 is an alkaline battery whose output voltage declines pretty linearly over its life. Your camera depends on the MS battery, and does not have a voltage regulator, so your metering will get progressively less accurate as the battery discharges.
I know this because my Olympus OM1N and OM2N used this same battery, and that's exactly what happened when I tried to use the alkaline 'equivalent.' My OM2S, on the other hand, does have a voltage regulator and can use the A76 batteries just fine.
MS76 batteries can no longer be sold in the US bec... (
show quote)
OM1/OM1N yes but the OM2/OM2N uses the MS76.
BebuLamar wrote:
OM1/OM1N yes but the OM2/OM2N uses the MS76.
My OM2N must have been an early model. Its manual clearly called for the constant voltage batteries. There used to be a company in Dallas called Photosphere that would modify the earlier OM bodies by adding a regulator. I discussed doing so with them, but never had it done before they closed their doors.
MS76 is silver oxide battery is not banned in the US.
Curmudgeon wrote:
........
There is too much conflicting information on
the web, so I thought I'd ask the experts. ........
............
Good thing you came here to the online
experts to avoid conflicting information !
.
Curmudgeon wrote:
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged out my old F2, Bronica S, Yashika and Gossen Luna Pro, ordered more film and then discovered I had no good batteries for the F2 and Luna Pro.
Question 1. Anyone know of replacement batteries these. There is too much conflicting information on the web, so I thought I'd ask the experts.
Question 2. While waiting for batteries, would it work if I used my D5200 as an expensive light meter. Set the ISO and shutter speed to duplicate the film camera and use the f-stop shown on the 5200 to set the f-stop on the film camera.
Thanks to ch_cannon's post on using film I dragged... (
show quote)
For the Luna Pro, Quality Light Metric in Hollywood, CA will recalibrate your Luna Pro so you can use readily available 625 size batteries (same size as the PX625). You won’t need any other adapters. It’s pricier than the MR9 adapter, but your meter will come back clean and accurate. Alkaline batteries have their drawbacks (constant discharge curve instead of flatter like mercury or silver oxide), but the intermittent use nature of your Luna Pro should allow for accurate reading for at least a year, so replace them yearly.
Stan
Stan
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