My old film camera Batteries

[jonbeeza]

I have had my Nikon F60 film Camera for about eleven years, and been using it on and off over that period of time. Just put the batteries in the Camera for no other reason, other than to have another play with an old film camera again. The Battery indicator power level still shows full, after all this time. But surely the Batteries can't be full after all this time, and usage over the years. I was wondering, do these batteries normally last this length of time? Great if they do, as I know the are rather expensive.

 

[s162216]

If they've not been intensively used then I would expect them to work just fine; my Minolta Dynax AF cameras use similar CR2 lithium batteries and even with intensive usage of the camera I tend to get over a year out the batteries usually before I have to replace them.

 

[jonbeeza]

If they've not been intensively used then I would expect them to work just fine; my Minolta Dynax AF cameras use similar CR2 lithium batteries and even with intensive usage of the camera I tend to get over a year out the batteries usually before I have to replace them.

I think I would want more than a years use out of the Batteries, as mine cost about £14 per pair, but there again maybe about a year could be about right, if you are using the Camera constantly non stop. I must admit my Camera usage can be very sporadic, but even though I am pleased the power has not simply discharged over time.

 

[abdoujaparov]

I left my F601 switched on in a drawer for a month a while back and the battery meter hadn't budged.

The batteries aren't expensive online, btw, even if they are in B&M shops.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...words=cr123a batteries&sprefix=cr123a,aps,327

 

[jonbeeza]

I left my F601 switched on in a drawer for a month a while back and the battery meter hadn't budged.

The batteries aren't expensive online, btw, even if they are in B&M shops.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_6?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=cr123a batteries&sprefix=cr123a,aps,327

Thanks for the link Keith, will be checking those batteries out should mine run out.

 

[DNH]

On my F65 The battery indicator went from showing fully charged to flat in the space of a few shots. Was not a happy bunny as I didn't have any spares with me. Based on what happened to me I wouldn't put much faith in its opinion of the state of the batteries. The last cells I got came from ebay & were quite cheap.

 

[jonbeeza]

On my F65 The battery indicator went from showing fully charged to flat in the space of a few shots. Was not a happy bunny as I didn't have any spares with me. Based on what happened to me I wouldn't put much faith in its opinion of the state of the batteries. The last cells I got came from ebay & were quite cheap.

You have got me worried now, as mine still reads full after all these years. Although I am sure they will not be really at full power, just hate them to show full then simply drop to empty !

 

[TheGreatSoprendo]

For cameras with built-in flash, that is probably the biggest drain on batteries if used a lot. Always worth carrying spares with you if going to be out and about for a long time. It's one advantage of having a camera that runs on AA cells which can be bought anywhere (or obviously a camera than needs none at all!).

I bought a Nikon F80 that had been sitting unused for years by previous owner and the batteries were good for around 10 rolls then died fairly abruptly. They were these same CR123 lithium cells.

 

[jonbeeza]

For cameras with built-in flash, that is probably the biggest drain on batteries if used a lot. Always worth carrying spares with you if going to be out and about for a long time. It's one advantage of having a camera that runs on AA cells which can be bought anywhere (or obviously a camera than needs none at all!).

I bought a Nikon F80 that had been sitting unused for years by previous owner and the batteries were good for around 10 rolls then died fairly abruptly. They were these same CR123 lithium cells.

I have on average put about three or so rolls of film per year in the Camera, and I have had the Camera for about eleven years or so. I have used the pop up flash on several occasions as fill in flash, so basing things on that, I suppose the batteries seem to be holding up pretty well it would seem

 

[MartynK]

Lithiums have a long shelf life and 10 years is normal. Limited use shouldn't run them down too much either, they're designed to deliver full power until drained and then fall off the edge of the cliff. You get a similar effect with flashlights that use these cells, and regulated lights.