Spotmatic ES II Battery Level Check

6BQ5 · 04-07-2015, 02:17 PM

What shutter speed should the needle in the viewfinder of an ES II settle on when performing a better check?

eddaytona · 04-07-2015, 02:53 PM

How to check it
1. Set the shutter speed dial to B (bulb) position.
2. Turn the ASA dial to ASA 100.
3. Push the meter switch to "on" position. Look at the meters needle through the viewfinder. If the needle rapidly drops, the meter battery has sufficient capacity; if it does not, replace the mercury battery.

---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 05:09 PM ----------

Oh, here is the info for the ESII found on the Butkus.org site:
BATTERY INSERTION AND CHECK
Four 1.5V silver oxide batteries (Eveready S76E or Mallory MS-76H) power the TTL meter and electronic shutter of the ES II. The power circuit is on only when you depress the shutter release button (lightly for meter reading and completely for electronic shutter) with the shutter speed dial set at “AUTOMATIC”. When not operating the camera, be sure to keep the shutter dial off the “AUTOMATIC” settings, or use the shutter lock to prevent waste of battery power when accidentally touching the shutter release button.

To insert the batteries, open the battery housing cover on the bottom of the lens mount by shifting the cover release pin (1)to the right with a matchstick or the like.
Insert four batteries, making sure that each battery correctly faces the (+) (—) marks inside the housing. Close the cover by first inserting the two hooks (2)into the grooves. Push the battery housing lock pin (3) in.4www.butkus.org
One set of batteries lasts about one year. To check the life, set the shutter dial at “AUTOMATIC”, and while looking through the viewfinder, push the battery check button next to the exposure factor control dial. If the meter needle drops to the center notch, the batteries have sufficient capacity. If it does not, replace all four batteries.

6BQ5 · 04-08-2015, 08:50 AM

Thanks for posting this! The needle in my ES II only drops to somewhere in between 1/125 and 1/250 and that is much higher than dead center of the scale. Looks like I need new batteries.

But, I'm glad I hesitated and did not load film in the body.

04-07-2015, 02:17 PM	#1
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Spotmatic ES II Battery Level Check What shutter speed should the needle in the viewfinder of an ES II settle on when performing a better check?

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04-07-2015, 02:53 PM	#2
eddaytona Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Black Rock City, NV Photos: Albums Posts: 175	How to check it 1. Set the shutter speed dial to B (bulb) position. 2. Turn the ASA dial to ASA 100. 3. Push the meter switch to "on" position. Look at the meters needle through the viewfinder. If the needle rapidly drops, the meter battery has sufficient capacity; if it does not, replace the mercury battery. ---------- Post added 04-07-15 at 05:09 PM ---------- Oh, here is the info for the ESII found on the Butkus.org site: BATTERY INSERTION AND CHECK Four 1.5V silver oxide batteries (Eveready S76E or Mallory MS-76H) power the TTL meter and electronic shutter of the ES II. The power circuit is on only when you depress the shutter release button (lightly for meter reading and completely for electronic shutter) with the shutter speed dial set at “AUTOMATIC”. When not operating the camera, be sure to keep the shutter dial off the “AUTOMATIC” settings, or use the shutter lock to prevent waste of battery power when accidentally touching the shutter release button. To insert the batteries, open the battery housing cover on the bottom of the lens mount by shifting the cover release pin (1)to the right with a matchstick or the like. Insert four batteries, making sure that each battery correctly faces the (+) (—) marks inside the housing. Close the cover by first inserting the two hooks (2)into the grooves. Push the battery housing lock pin (3) in.4www.butkus.org One set of batteries lasts about one year. To check the life, set the shutter dial at “AUTOMATIC”, and while looking through the viewfinder, push the battery check button next to the exposure factor control dial. If the meter needle drops to the center notch, the batteries have sufficient capacity. If it does not, replace all four batteries.

04-08-2015, 08:50 AM	#3
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	Thanks for posting this! The needle in my ES II only drops to somewhere in between 1/125 and 1/250 and that is much higher than dead center of the scale. Looks like I need new batteries. But, I'm glad I hesitated and did not load film in the body.