What battery for Spotmatic meter?

DaveHolmes · 03-31-2012, 05:17 PM

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Went to get a battery for my spotmatic today but the local camera shop didn't have one... They said I'd need an 'AG10-P400' and would have to get it off ebay and that it would be expensive...

Did an ebay search for 'AG10 P400 Battery' and got zero results...

Did an ebay search for 'AG10 Battery' and got 334 results... However some also had other numbers associated with them: L1130, 390, 389, LR54, SG10 and others...

None of them were particularly expensive... Can I use any of these?

Or... Is there a particular one I should obtain?

In my confusion I offer advance thanks!
Dave

average-guy · 03-31-2012, 05:28 PM - **1 Like**

I use energizer 394 batteries in my Spotmatic. They're cheap and available at most stores here in the States. If it doesn't come with a little plastic spacer you'll need a small rubber O ring to go around the battery to keep it centered in the battery compartment.

DaveHolmes · 03-31-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by average-guy

If it doesn't come with a little plastic spacer you'll need a small rubber O ring to go around the battery to keep it centered in the battery compartme

Thank you! No worries... I have the spacer :-)

**gaweidert** · 03-31-2012, 06:47 PM

Wein makes a replacement battery for the Spotmatic. Here is a link to where you can get some.

Micro-Tools Product Search Results

DaveHolmes · 03-31-2012, 07:20 PM

Thanks gaweidert but Wein don't seem to be available in the UK... I've just ordered some Energizer 394's on the advice of 'average-guy' from a UK supplier... Should arrive Tuesday... :-)
Until then I'm playing with my MG with Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 and XP2-400 C41 B&W film, my black MEsuper with M-40mm 2.8 and Kodak Colourplus 200 (50pence a roll!!), and my MZ-7 with any AF lens I fancy at the time and Fuji Superior-400...
Trying to find a fast C41 B&W film that's available in the UK for the Spotmatic which I finding problematic...

Tom in Delaware · 04-01-2012, 09:04 AM

Don't use Wein cells, waste of money since the silver oxide batteries work just fine with the Spotmatics circuitry. Based on advice on a Flickr forum, I tried Energizer E387s batteries, these are an exact fit and even come with their own plastic 'o-ring'. For my Spotmatic Fs, I use SR44 equivalent silver oxides with an o-ring. The metering is the same as zinc-air batteries.

stevebrot · 04-01-2012, 10:47 AM

Perhaps someone should start a sticky for Pentax film SLR batteries? This question comes up almost weekly. If one is done, I would request that it put to rest, once and for all, the issue of voltage and the Spotmatic meter.

Steve

DaveHolmes · 04-01-2012, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Perhaps someone should start a sticky for Pentax film SLR batteries? This question comes up almost weekly. If one is done, I would request that it put to rest, once and for all, the issue of voltage and the Spotmatic meter.

I did do a search before posting and could not find the answer...

But if it is a regularly asked question then I would happily second a request of a 'Pentax Film SLR Batteries' sticky...
I own various Pentax SLR's so a sticky of this type would be of great personal use to me...

**Baard-Einar** · 04-03-2012, 03:05 PM

Or could this info be part of the Pentax Camera reviews? That way all info we need is located in the same spot.

There is a spot in the table for battery type, but it often refers to the original sold when the camera was new. It would help for a cross refrence.

Does anyone know what battery to use in the light meter you afix on top of the prism? I would want to test to see if it works...

pickles · 04-03-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Tom in Delaware

Don't use Wein cells, waste of money since the silver oxide batteries work just fine with the Spotmatics circuitry. Based on advice on a Flickr forum, I tried Energizer E387s batteries, these are an exact fit and even come with their own plastic 'o-ring'. For my Spotmatic Fs, I use SR44 equivalent silver oxides with an o-ring. The metering is the same as zinc-air batteries.

I wouldn't use Wein Cells either.
Yes, the E387, is ideal, but I don't think they're made any more......they're not available in Aus anyway.....I've seen 'em on Ebay advertised new....but I'd be interested to know the date of manufacture, & relative to that, what their shelf life would be.
Cheers, Pickles.

**Baard-Einar** · 04-03-2012, 03:28 PM

I found this on the internet, at Clas Ohlsons web page (Swedish have-it-all type store). I have copied it from their internet page, and placed it in a chart. Please feel free to use it, but I do not vouch for the accuracy of the table.

Another nice source:

http://www.criscam.com/mercury_battery_adapters.php

**gaweidert** · 04-04-2012, 04:04 AM

I have a Battery+ ? store near me. They don't carry the E387 battery either. Not in their system either.

DaveHolmes · 04-04-2012, 07:42 AM

These are what I'v bought from ebay... So fingers crossed... Really hoping they (and the Spotties meter) work!!

They should arrive this week...

DaveHolmes · 04-05-2012, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by DaveHolmes

I've just ordered some Energizer 394's

Well they arrived...

Either they're not the right battery or the meter does not work... At the moment I'm gutted...

DaveHolmes · 04-05-2012, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by Baard-Einar

Or could this info be part of the Pentax Camera reviews? That way all info we need is located in the same spot.

This is a great idea!!

03-31-2012, 05:17 PM	#1
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	What battery for Spotmatic meter? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Went to get a battery for my spotmatic today but the local camera shop didn't have one... They said I'd need an 'AG10-P400' and would have to get it off ebay and that it would be expensive... Did an ebay search for 'AG10 P400 Battery' and got zero results... Did an ebay search for 'AG10 Battery' and got 334 results... However some also had other numbers associated with them: L1130, 390, 389, LR54, SG10 and others... None of them were particularly expensive... Can I use any of these? Or... Is there a particular one I should obtain? In my confusion I offer advance thanks! Dave

03-31-2012, 05:28 PM - 1 Like	#2
average-guy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 102	I use energizer 394 batteries in my Spotmatic. They're cheap and available at most stores here in the States. If it doesn't come with a little plastic spacer you'll need a small rubber O ring to go around the battery to keep it centered in the battery compartment. Last edited by average-guy; 03-31-2012 at 05:33 PM.

04-04-2012, 07:42 AM	#13
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	These are what I'v bought from ebay... So fingers crossed... Really hoping they (and the Spotties meter) work!! They should arrive this week... Last edited by DaveHolmes; 04-04-2012 at 07:43 AM. Reason: memory issues!!

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03-31-2012, 05:47 PM	#3
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by average-guy If it doesn't come with a little plastic spacer you'll need a small rubber O ring to go around the battery to keep it centered in the battery compartme Thank you! No worries... I have the spacer :-)

03-31-2012, 06:47 PM	#4
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Wein makes a replacement battery for the Spotmatic. Here is a link to where you can get some. Micro-Tools Product Search Results

03-31-2012, 07:20 PM	#5
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Thanks gaweidert but Wein don't seem to be available in the UK... I've just ordered some Energizer 394's on the advice of 'average-guy' from a UK supplier... Should arrive Tuesday... :-) Until then I'm playing with my MG with Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 and XP2-400 C41 B&W film, my black MEsuper with M-40mm 2.8 and Kodak Colourplus 200 (50pence a roll!!), and my MZ-7 with any AF lens I fancy at the time and Fuji Superior-400... Trying to find a fast C41 B&W film that's available in the UK for the Spotmatic which I finding problematic...

04-01-2012, 09:04 AM	#6
Tom in Delaware Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 177	Don't use Wein cells, waste of money since the silver oxide batteries work just fine with the Spotmatics circuitry. Based on advice on a Flickr forum, I tried Energizer E387s batteries, these are an exact fit and even come with their own plastic 'o-ring'. For my Spotmatic Fs, I use SR44 equivalent silver oxides with an o-ring. The metering is the same as zinc-air batteries.

04-01-2012, 10:47 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Perhaps someone should start a sticky for Pentax film SLR batteries? This question comes up almost weekly. If one is done, I would request that it put to rest, once and for all, the issue of voltage and the Spotmatic meter. Steve

04-01-2012, 10:57 AM	#8
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Perhaps someone should start a sticky for Pentax film SLR batteries? This question comes up almost weekly. If one is done, I would request that it put to rest, once and for all, the issue of voltage and the Spotmatic meter. I did do a search before posting and could not find the answer... But if it is a regularly asked question then I would happily second a request of a 'Pentax Film SLR Batteries' sticky... I own various Pentax SLR's so a sticky of this type would be of great personal use to me...

04-03-2012, 03:05 PM	#9
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Or could this info be part of the Pentax Camera reviews? That way all info we need is located in the same spot. There is a spot in the table for battery type, but it often refers to the original sold when the camera was new. It would help for a cross refrence. Does anyone know what battery to use in the light meter you afix on top of the prism? I would want to test to see if it works...

04-03-2012, 03:09 PM	#10
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	Originally posted by Tom in Delaware Don't use Wein cells, waste of money since the silver oxide batteries work just fine with the Spotmatics circuitry. Based on advice on a Flickr forum, I tried Energizer E387s batteries, these are an exact fit and even come with their own plastic 'o-ring'. For my Spotmatic Fs, I use SR44 equivalent silver oxides with an o-ring. The metering is the same as zinc-air batteries. I wouldn't use Wein Cells either. Yes, the E387, is ideal, but I don't think they're made any more......they're not available in Aus anyway.....I've seen 'em on Ebay advertised new....but I'd be interested to know the date of manufacture, & relative to that, what their shelf life would be. Cheers, Pickles.

04-04-2012, 04:04 AM	#12
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	I have a Battery+ ? store near me. They don't carry the E387 battery either. Not in their system either.

04-05-2012, 06:38 AM	#14
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by DaveHolmes I've just ordered some Energizer 394's Well they arrived... Either they're not the right battery or the meter does not work... At the moment I'm gutted...

04-05-2012, 06:41 AM	#15
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by Baard-Einar Or could this info be part of the Pentax Camera reviews? That way all info we need is located in the same spot. This is a great idea!!