About batteries

[LeicaBraz]

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Leica recommends for the M6/M7/MP either silver oxide or lithium batteries.

Alkaline batteries (easier to obtain today) are not mentioned.

Any particular reason or just that they were not available at the time manuals were

written?

Thanks

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[pico]

Leica recommends for the M6/M7/MP either silver oxide or lithium batteries.

Alkaline batteries (easier to obtain today) are not mentioned.

Any particular reason or just that they were not available at the time manuals were

written?

Thanks

 

I find no mention in the M7 users manual of silver oxide batteries.

 

Compatible batteries

Lithium cells - Duracell DL 1/3 N

- Kodak K 58 L - Philips CR 1/3 N

- Ucar 2 L 76 - Varta CR 1/3 N

 

But trying to answer your question, alkaline batteries lose power during use and are not suited to running a constant current dependent circuit. Besides, they have a low-current to size ratio - they would be too big for the camera. Zinc/Silver Oxide are more intolerant of temperature range use than Lithium cells.

[wagner]

Hi!

 

Guess the main reason for not recommending alkaline batteries is, that Leica want to be on the safe side. Alkaline batteries are more sensitive to cold temperatures. And Leicas are supposed to work even at -20°C....

 

The slight voltage drop of the alkaline batteries during their lifespan shouldn´t matter. The light meter will still give you a correct reading.

 

So, if you can´t find silver oxide or lithium batteries, it´s no problem to use meanwhile alkalines.

 

Torsten

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Everybody,

 

Having used both alkaline & silver oxide batteries in various meters made by a number of manufacturers over a period of time: I have noticed that on average the silver oxide batteries have tended to give more reliably repeatable readings over a longer period of time than alkaline batteries do.

 

I have also noticed that repeated readings with aging alkaline battteries tend to vary more widely than repeated readings with aging silver oxide batteries in equivalent situations.

 

I have no experience with lithium batteries 1 way or the other.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[LeicaBraz]

Thanks all for your answers. Indeed, for the M7 only lithium batteries are recommended.

I have obtained some lithium batteries so will change cameras to them.

Rgds

[StS]

Lithium batteries last longer and can be stored for ages. I'm using only 1/3 N and always have a spare battery. One point less, which could give trouble.

 

Stefan

[fotohuis]

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The Lithium batteries (e.g. Varta CR 1/3 N) are recommended and I know they will work in my M7 till -22C.

However at -30C you're running into problems and here I would recommend the Silveroxide type batteries.

 

The difference is that a Lithium is 3,0V (CR 1/3 N) and the Silver oxide equivalent 2x SR44 = 2x 1,55V = 3,1V and the chemical reaction inside the battery is for Silver oxide a little bit better then for Lithium on that extreme low temperature. Both type of batteries are delivering a very stable voltage over a long time span.

 

The Alkaline LR44 (AG13) batteries are less suitable due to the lower capacity and less stable voltage of 1,50V. But you can use them in case of emmergency.

 

Here my example in Praha/Prague, Februari 2005. -22C and no tourists on the stairs anymore.

 

 

Fomapan 200 in R09/Rodinal.

 

 

 

Here an example in the Giant Mountains (Krkonose), March 2009. -30C and my M7 died so this shot was made on manual mode/time 1/125S. As you probably know the M7 has two mechanical times: 1/60S and 125S.

 

 

Fomapan 400 in AM74 1+9.

 

Best regards,

 

Robert

[Farkle-Mpls]

I had read (heard?) that alkaline batteries can leak when they are exhausted. The other (S-O and Lithium) do not. Can someone who's more of an expert confirm that? If it's true, that should be a huge factor in your decision of how to power your M7 if your camera sits unused for long periods of time.

 

Can you imagine opening up your camera after not using it for six months just to find the battery leaked and the contacts had corroded?! Yikes ... that would be a BAD day.

[Farkle-Mpls]

I should clarify my last post. I know that alkaline batteries will leak when exhausted -- I've suffered proof of that many times. What I'd like confirmation on is whether or not S-O or Lithiums will leak when dead, as well. I hope not ...

[tobey bilek]

Alkaline cells put out less voltage just as a flashlight gets more dim. The reading will be off.

 

1/3 N have a longer shelf life. Silver oxide has more power stored if you use them faster.

[fotohuis]

At the end all batteries are going to leak. It is just a matter of time. However with the Li- type batteries the risk is really small even after 3-4 years.

With regular use I have to replace my Leica M7 Li- batteries every 2 year.

 

Leakage is often with Zink-Air batteries, then Alkaline, Silver oxide and then Lithium. So when you have the opportunity to take an extra set of CR 1/3 N batteries in your photo bag, better do it. However I can tell you in 1/2 m snow and -30C you do not even think to make a battery exchange under these circumstances.