Spotmatic batteries?

pickles · 06-07-2010, 12:09 AM

I have searched the forum on this subject, but there seem to be various alternatives, some batteries requiring minor "adjustments" to fit, some no longer available, & some members contradict what others have said.
SO, I'd like to find out what members are actually USING in their Spotmatics!
A bit of prior info!
My SP11 is currently powered by an S400PX Excell (packet labelling).....but on the reverse of the battery is stamped vinnic s936s?
Energizer 387S is supposed to be an exact fit.....can't find them in Aus......are they still available?
Other "brands" I've read about as being "satisfactory" are Varta V301TNI, Mallory PX400, RM400R,Varta V394, Maxell SR936W/SR936SW, Renata 394,392,387S.
So now I'm totally confused!. I'm simply looking for a readily available battery that will fit in its place with no mods, & work as it should!
So, what are you using?
Thank You, Pickles.

ragamuffin1171 · 06-07-2010, 07:04 AM

Basically, any 1.5v will work fine with spotmatics. I have spottie-f, and it works fine. I heard that all spotmatics have a bridge-circuit that will work fine with higher voltage batteires.

Yes, 387, is a perfect fit, and I saw one at local walgreen's (corner drug stores all over the States). I currently use 394. It's a little smaller, but with a washer, it works just as well as 387. Even without a washer, if you align it correctly before screw on the cap, it shouldn't move around much.

Banjo · 06-07-2010, 10:25 PM

I have two Asahi Spotmatic F's: I use both regularly. I use 1.5v Silver Oxide batteries in both, and the onboard light meter as read: no problems.

RolloR · 06-08-2010, 12:32 AM

I assume i'll fry it if I try to put modern 3V Lithiums?

titrisol · 06-08-2010, 04:14 AM

In general 1.5V batteries are OK
Some people claim that their camera meter is off after this change of voltage but my personal experience with the SP, SPII, and SPF is that it works fine (even for slides)

RolloR, 3V? you only needs 1.5

In the Spotmatic Group @yahoo there is a file that says:

Originally posted by spotmatic group @yahoo:

I purchased a 392 Silver Oxide battery at Radio Shack. I have found
that it works great in the Spotmatic in lieu of the mostly
nonexistant mercury oxide battery. It was $2.60 US. On the back it
lists all the batteries that it supersedes - perhaps other batteries
that could be used in the Spotmatic?:

Type K
10L125
RW27
RW47
247B
WL1
G3
2
547
8009
GP92
392
1135SO
SR41
D392
D384
SP392
V392
SG3
SR41W
247
WF3

CGJung · 06-08-2010, 06:21 AM

I usually buy button batteries from this site

They have good selections of batteries at good price and first class mail service.

whojammyflip · 04-04-2012, 12:19 PM

reviving an old thread, I know, but pickles, how did you get on...I am toying with the idea of going properly old school and manning up with a "spotty" but am concerned about the lack of batteries (a more modern solution to the LBA frenzy would be a 645N but I have already been ticked off by the boss woman)

pickles · 04-04-2012, 03:52 PM

I've had no problems with batteries.
Can't get the 387 in Aus, but got an S400PX..Exell make them...but mine came domiciled in a packet from "Master Instruments".
I find that my SP11 works fine with these 1.55V batteries...no need for any exposure compensation.
I use SR44 batteries in my ES11
Cheers, Pickles.

06-07-2010, 12:09 AM	#1
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	Spotmatic batteries? I have searched the forum on this subject, but there seem to be various alternatives, some batteries requiring minor "adjustments" to fit, some no longer available, & some members contradict what others have said. SO, I'd like to find out what members are actually USING in their Spotmatics! A bit of prior info! My SP11 is currently powered by an S400PX Excell (packet labelling).....but on the reverse of the battery is stamped vinnic s936s? Energizer 387S is supposed to be an exact fit.....can't find them in Aus......are they still available? Other "brands" I've read about as being "satisfactory" are Varta V301TNI, Mallory PX400, RM400R,Varta V394, Maxell SR936W/SR936SW, Renata 394,392,387S. So now I'm totally confused!. I'm simply looking for a readily available battery that will fit in its place with no mods, & work as it should! So, what are you using? Thank You, Pickles.

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06-07-2010, 07:04 AM	#2
ragamuffin1171 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: TN Posts: 24	Basically, any 1.5v will work fine with spotmatics. I have spottie-f, and it works fine. I heard that all spotmatics have a bridge-circuit that will work fine with higher voltage batteires. Yes, 387, is a perfect fit, and I saw one at local walgreen's (corner drug stores all over the States). I currently use 394. It's a little smaller, but with a washer, it works just as well as 387. Even without a washer, if you align it correctly before screw on the cap, it shouldn't move around much.

06-07-2010, 10:25 PM	#3
Banjo Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 207	I have two Asahi Spotmatic F's: I use both regularly. I use 1.5v Silver Oxide batteries in both, and the onboard light meter as read: no problems.

06-08-2010, 12:32 AM	#4
RolloR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 264	I assume i'll fry it if I try to put modern 3V Lithiums?

06-08-2010, 04:14 AM	#5
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,851	In general 1.5V batteries are OK Some people claim that their camera meter is off after this change of voltage but my personal experience with the SP, SPII, and SPF is that it works fine (even for slides) RolloR, 3V? you only needs 1.5 In the Spotmatic Group @yahoo there is a file that says: Originally posted by spotmatic group @yahoo: I purchased a 392 Silver Oxide battery at Radio Shack. I have found that it works great in the Spotmatic in lieu of the mostly nonexistant mercury oxide battery. It was $2.60 US. On the back it lists all the batteries that it supersedes - perhaps other batteries that could be used in the Spotmatic?: Type K 10L125 RW27 RW47 247B WL1 G3 2 547 8009 GP92 392 1135SO SR41 D392 D384 SP392 V392 SG3 SR41W 247 WF3

06-08-2010, 06:21 AM	#6
CGJung Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 92	I usually buy button batteries from this site They have good selections of batteries at good price and first class mail service.

04-04-2012, 12:19 PM	#7
whojammyflip Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 417	reviving an old thread, I know, but pickles, how did you get on...I am toying with the idea of going properly old school and manning up with a "spotty" but am concerned about the lack of batteries (a more modern solution to the LBA frenzy would be a 645N but I have already been ticked off by the boss woman)

04-04-2012, 03:52 PM	#8
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937 Original Poster	I've had no problems with batteries. Can't get the 387 in Aus, but got an S400PX..Exell make them...but mine came domiciled in a packet from "Master Instruments". I find that my SP11 works fine with these 1.55V batteries...no need for any exposure compensation. I use SR44 batteries in my ES11 Cheers, Pickles.

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