I got a New-In-the-Box Spotmatic! - battery question

samtr87 · 06-30-2012, 07:36 PM

That is beautiful!

LesDMess · 07-01-2012, 04:12 PM

That is one b - e -a - utiful camera! Even better is that you are going to put it to good use!

**gofour3** · 07-01-2012, 07:55 PM

Very nice, enjoy!

Phil.

**PPPPPP42** · 07-01-2012, 08:01 PM

Keep all the original packaging and stuff, and be careful with it, rare doesn't begin to describe that, I'm not surprised it was from a collector. What did it cost anyways? I would be outright terrified to use it, but then things are made to be used, its a waste if they aren't, like my unissued (new, not refurbished) Yugoslavian SKS that I issued to myself.

Don't send it for CLA, Eric won't give that one back!

BenYe · 07-01-2012, 08:03 PM

Yes I will! It costed me $300.

titrisol · 07-03-2012, 05:25 AM

GREAT DEAL!

The batteries work, just make sure you put them i nthe right direction.
To test:
- ASA dial in 100
- Speed dial in B
- Lift the lightmeter tab and the needle should plummet to the bottom
-> if it goes up battery is backwards
--> if it does not move battery is dead

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

394/SW936/AG9 silver cells fit perfectly, give accurate readings and last a long time.
Wein Cells are several times more expensive and die after a very short time.

Chris

**Aristophanes** · 07-03-2012, 07:14 AM

Battery options:

Cheap Easy Mercury Battery Replacement

WeinCell Batteries

And I think this one will work as well:

PX625 PX-13 replacement Nikon F Leica, Gossen, Canon

stevebrot · 07-03-2012, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

Battery options:

Cheap Easy Mercury Battery Replacement

WeinCell Batteries

And I think this one will work as well:

PX625 PX-13 replacement Nikon F Leica, Gossen, Canon

Any modern silver cell of appropriate dimension should work. If too small a diameter, you can bolster the sides with a small rubber o-ring. Voltage should not be an issue. At least this works with my SP and SPII.

Steve

BenYe · 07-04-2012, 02:13 PM

Bad News! The meter is behaving badly!
When I set the ASA to 100 and the shutter to B
The indicator only moved downwards slightly

But when I turn the shutter to other settings,
the indicator rapidly plunged upwards...

=(

BenYe · 07-04-2012, 02:15 PM

And when I change the aperture, the indicator doesn't move at all!

BenYe · 07-04-2012, 05:06 PM

By the way, happy 4th of July from Canada!

séamuis · 07-05-2012, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by BenYe

Bad News! The meter is behaving badly!
When I set the ASA to 100 and the shutter to B
The indicator only moved downwards slightly

But when I turn the shutter to other settings,
the indicator rapidly plunged upwards...

=(

typically, cameras that sit in the box on a shelf for 40 years are less likely to work properly than cameras that got used. it may look mint, and you may have paid a hefty price, but this is the reality. my advice, if you really want to use the thing, you’re going to have to get it CLA’d. financially you would have been far better off, just buying a used one, if you really wanted to use it for its intended purpose.

SteveM · 07-05-2012, 06:05 AM

I would send it into Eric for a CLA. If he can fix it, you'll end up a like new spotty with new seals etc that should last for another 40 years.

You can find him at Home to see what he has to say.

newf6401 · 07-05-2012, 03:47 PM

Where is this shop in downtown Toronto?

Asudef · 07-05-2012, 03:56 PM

Or just do like I did and learn to meter with your eyes.

It cost me very little and is a decent workhorse with solid seals and non sticking mirror although the meter didn't work. I didn't care to see if it does and am using it to get my Sunny 16 rules down as well as learning to do more candid Street Photography like photos.

Works beautifully just like your camera looks.

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06-30-2012, 07:36 PM	#16
samtr87 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: FL Posts: 246	That is beautiful!

07-01-2012, 04:12 PM	#17
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	That is one b - e -a - utiful camera! Even better is that you are going to put it to good use!

07-01-2012, 07:55 PM	#18
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Very nice, enjoy! Phil.

07-01-2012, 08:01 PM	#19
PPPPPP42 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 947	Keep all the original packaging and stuff, and be careful with it, rare doesn't begin to describe that, I'm not surprised it was from a collector. What did it cost anyways? I would be outright terrified to use it, but then things are made to be used, its a waste if they aren't, like my unissued (new, not refurbished) Yugoslavian SKS that I issued to myself. Don't send it for CLA, Eric won't give that one back!

07-01-2012, 08:03 PM	#20
BenYe New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Yes I will! It costed me $300.

07-03-2012, 05:25 AM	#21
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	GREAT DEAL! The batteries work, just make sure you put them i nthe right direction. To test: - ASA dial in 100 - Speed dial in B - Lift the lightmeter tab and the needle should plummet to the bottom -> if it goes up battery is backwards --> if it does not move battery is dead Originally posted by ChrisPlatt 394/SW936/AG9 silver cells fit perfectly, give accurate readings and last a long time. Wein Cells are several times more expensive and die after a very short time. Chris

07-03-2012, 07:14 AM	#22
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Battery options: Cheap Easy Mercury Battery Replacement WeinCell Batteries And I think this one will work as well: PX625 PX-13 replacement Nikon F Leica, Gossen, Canon

07-03-2012, 02:28 PM	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Aristophanes Battery options: Cheap Easy Mercury Battery Replacement WeinCell Batteries And I think this one will work as well: PX625 PX-13 replacement Nikon F Leica, Gossen, Canon Any modern silver cell of appropriate dimension should work. If too small a diameter, you can bolster the sides with a small rubber o-ring. Voltage should not be an issue. At least this works with my SP and SPII. Steve

07-04-2012, 02:13 PM	#24
BenYe New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Bad News! The meter is behaving badly! When I set the ASA to 100 and the shutter to B The indicator only moved downwards slightly But when I turn the shutter to other settings, the indicator rapidly plunged upwards... =(

07-04-2012, 02:15 PM	#25
BenYe New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	And when I change the aperture, the indicator doesn't move at all!

07-04-2012, 05:06 PM	#26
BenYe New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	By the way, happy 4th of July from Canada!

07-05-2012, 05:49 AM	#27
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by BenYe Bad News! The meter is behaving badly! When I set the ASA to 100 and the shutter to B The indicator only moved downwards slightly But when I turn the shutter to other settings, the indicator rapidly plunged upwards... =( typically, cameras that sit in the box on a shelf for 40 years are less likely to work properly than cameras that got used. it may look mint, and you may have paid a hefty price, but this is the reality. my advice, if you really want to use the thing, you’re going to have to get it CLA’d. financially you would have been far better off, just buying a used one, if you really wanted to use it for its intended purpose.

07-05-2012, 06:05 AM	#28
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I would send it into Eric for a CLA. If he can fix it, you'll end up a like new spotty with new seals etc that should last for another 40 years. You can find him at Home to see what he has to say.

07-05-2012, 03:47 PM	#29
newf6401 New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cambridge Ontario Posts: 7	Where is this shop in downtown Toronto?

07-05-2012, 03:56 PM	#30
Asudef Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 79	Or just do like I did and learn to meter with your eyes. It cost me very little and is a decent workhorse with solid seals and non sticking mirror although the meter didn't work. I didn't care to see if it does and am using it to get my Sunny 16 rules down as well as learning to do more candid Street Photography like photos. Works beautifully just like your camera looks.