Minox 35GT battery Question

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First, thanks to Martin for his response on lens cleaning! I recently decided to make the change on the battery in my 35GT, replacing the PX27 style battery with the new battery cap and (2) CR1/3N batteries. The original battery in the camera when I got it was an EPX27 which seemed to work ok. When I would press the battery check button, the meter needle in the viewfinder would operate properly, that is, it would drop to 1/30 and then rise to center itself on 1/125. When I made the change to the newer CR 1/3N batteries, The needle now drops to 1/30 and then rises to 1/500. Is this normal? I did shot a roll of 24 exposure 100 ISO print film, just to check the camera. The first half of the roll was shot with the EPX 27 battery installed and the second half with the CR 1/3N batteries installed. I honestly could not detect any difference between battery sources, at least in terms of film exposure. Any thoughts?

-- tim whalen (whalenm@ix.netcom.com), July 06, 1999

Answers

Tim, 2x CR 1/3 N are the designated replacement battery for PX27 for use on Minox 35mm series camera. There should be not problem. New Minox GT-E, GT-S is shipped only with 2 X CR 1/3 N lithium batteries. As your test indicated, there is no discernable difference in exposure when switching between PX27 and 2 x CR 1/3N, that is the most important thing. As for the different needle swing when testing battery, as long as the battery test passes, don't worry about the swings, afterall, the two CR 1/3N combined is 6 V while PX27 is 5.6 V. The day of PX27 may be numbered, I heard that EU is going to ban mercury batteries altogether.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 06, 1999.

I'm thinking of buying a GT-E. Is it already designed to accept 2 of the CR1/3 batteries right from the start or will I have to buy the special adapter for these batteries ? Hopefully it was designed more recently than the cameras which took the PX27.

Thanks Simon

-- simon phillips (fotografm@hotmail.com), August 06, 1999.


Simon, new GT-E is shipped with 2 CR 1/3 N batteries with new battery adapter, so you don't need to buy an extra adapter, unless you wnat have a spare :)

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), August 06, 1999.

I just acquired a used Minox GT and I noticed that inside the battery chamber were four Panasonic LR44 alkaline cell batteries. I believe each cell pumps out 1.5 volts for a total of 6 volts. There is a small plastic cylinder that encases the batteries and prevents the postive case of the cell from touching the chamber. Naturally, the cells' diameter are smaller than the chamber for the plastic tube to fit in snugly. The positive case of the cell only touches the battery chamber cover. I pressed the battery check button and the reading indicates 1/250 shutter speed, instead of the standard 1/125.

-- Ronald R. Gregorio (gregorio@netgenie.com), May 07, 2000.

-- FOR ALL YOU PX 27 USERS -- Here is how to make an adaptor for your Minox! It will enable you to forget the PX 27 cells and use any 4 1.5V cells that fit right into them:

1. Get a PX 27 battery, DEAD or ALIVE (it must be one with a plastic cylinder, the ones that are encased in aluminium (like Varta's) could be hard to open).

2. Open the positive (+) end (of the battery) by forcing it slowly with a knife until the plastic expands.

3. Now take out the 4 mercury cells that were inside. Careful, don't damage the plastic cylinder.

4. Voila! The cylinder will be your adapter. Fill it with any 4 1.5 volt cells you like (if they are the right size, of course). I am pretty sure it will work with 2 CR 1/3N cells. I used three cheap AG10 and one AG8 (thinner than AG10) silver oxide cells. It costed about $0.8!! And you have 6V. The meter remains as accurate as when using the mercury cell.

For using: Stack your cells into the cylinder, (respect polarity!) put the cylinder into your Minox, close the battery cover, enjoy!.

-- Flavio Egoavil Verastegui (a19990347@inform.pucp.edu.pe), March 18, 2001.



Will someone tell me what is wrong in simply taping,I used majic tape,2 CR3/N together. Popping them in the battery chamber of your EL,GL,GT etc., and getting on with your life.It worked for me

-- Peter Kemish (peter.kemish@ntlworld.com), June 03, 2001.

What a great site. everyone in this user group is out to help each other.

Earlier this week i was given a mint MINOX 35GT which hasn't been used for 25 yrs, funny enough it still had the old px27 battery in it, no point checking if the battery was dead or alive you can probably guess.

Well i began my search for the cell this morning i went to every electrical shop i could find, i was then told by the very nice young man at jessops that these batteries are no longer being sold and that mercury was banned... When asked about a replaced type he told me nothing has been made and that the camera was use less to me.. You can guess how i felt. Well i then jumped on the net and thank god i found this site in a search engine... Well i constructed my own cell using cardboard tubing whick came out of the px battery and acquired four 386 batteries from maplin....(SILVER BATT SG12 FM29) This is the code if anyone needs it... I put the four cells in the tube, placed the tube in the camera the little red light began to flash and off i went ... I was well excitied.. Dont make the same mistake i did i placed the batteries in the wrong way at first and they went well hot when i removed and realised what i did one of the battery was completey burnt and bent..... They only cost me £3.90.....

Has anyone got a manual which i could perhaps have a copy of, would be truly grateful.

Thanks Harpzz

-- Harpreet Sahota (Harpzz@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.


Harpreet

For manual see http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005WT5

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), April 16, 2002.


I have just experienced the same difficulty; but in tracing down a possible replacement , i have been advised that an 'EXELL SILVER BATTERY # S27PX, 6.0 VOLT' IS THE ONLY REPLACEMENT, available at this time, that fits without any additional adaptation. it is noted that with this additional voltage that the meter will not function precisly as with the original battery;(not a problem with negative films), I now find that my shutter speeds are not functioning properly, especially at lower speeds, it is my understanding that the shutter is automatically controled by the meter after a lens opening has been selected,could this be effected by the extra voltage? or do i have a shutter problem? knowledgeable answers will be appreciated... jim

-- james jindra (srclicker@aol.com), May 11, 2002.

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