Is Minolta Hi-Matic F voltage sensitive?

[Berk Sirman]

I just got one of these which originally runs on 2 Px640 mercury batteries. (1.35V X 2 =2.7V) I am now using it with 675 zinc-air batteries with aluminium foil. The problem is that especially in winters zinc air cells die within weeks here. I am wondering whether I can get 1.5V replacement batteries (PX640A) or Yashica-guy's replacement set for Hi-Matic E and get accurate exposure with Hi-Matic F. Yashica-guys adapter also gives 3 volts in total, not 2.7V.

Thanks in advance,

Berk

[Berk Sirman]

Another question: Has anybody used this camera with LR/SR44 1.5V batteries? How were the results?

[john neal]

Berk,

I have just gotten a HiMatic F in a trade, and intend to make some 640 adapters so that I can use SR44 cells as the power source. I would think that the wein cells are not up to the load imposed by the camera, you need something that has a discharge curve more like the original mercury cells - i.e. flat at 1.35v until they die. The SR44 in an adapter will behave very like this as silver cells hold their voltage really well. Alkaline cells will give too high a voltage, and die quickly over only a few weeks in certain conditions.

I would like to blow my own trumpet here - please see this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=260416#post260416

I have supplied adapters to quite a few folks at RFF and had the help of Kim Coxon in coming up with the PX640 design.

PM me if you are interested.