Anyone using the CRIS MR-9 Adapter on the M5?

[johnastovall]

Has anyone used the CRIS MR-9 silver to mercury adapter on an M5? Pro's and Con's over Wein cells?

[Nokton48]

I've compared meter readings in my M5, using a still-good mercury cell, and a CRIS adapter and watch battery. I compared at low, medium, and high-light levels. Meter readings were identical each time. Seems to be fine.

[lewis44]

I've compared meter readings in my M5, using a still-good mercury cell, and a CRIS adapter and watch battery. I compared at low, medium, and high-light levels. Meter readings were identical each time. Seems to be fine.

I had the same experience with the CRIS adapter when I had my M5.
Also the Wein Cell Batteries only last about 3 months and now you pay dearly for them.

[BTMarcais]

Don't have an M5, but I use the CRIS adapter in my Rollei 35. works great, battery lasts forever.
-Brian

[maddoc]

I had the CRIS-adapter in my M5, worked perfect.

[Bill58]

I use 4 different CRIS / Kanto adapters w/ silver oxide batteries and they work great-zero problems.

[Ronald M]

Meter worked fine on my M5 unlike some other cameras with CRISIS. AsI recall, the battery cover did not seat fully.

Works on my Rollie 35, but sadly not on my Leicaflex SL where reading was off on the high or low end only. SL and M5 cameras are long gone.

[MartinP]

Someone mentioned that the 'Wein cells' are expensive - but the actual cell used inside the spacing-washer is an easily replaceable, standard, hearing-aid battery (size 675) that cost a few cents (either Euro-cents or US dollar-cents).

I have been using them for six months in a Leicameter-MR and am now on my second cell. I checked the reading with my last working mercury cell and the zinc-air cells are the same.

When the battery-check starts to drop, then pop the zinc-air cell out of the spacing-washer and put a new one in. Also, they dry out less quickly if you only unblock one air-hole, instead of all of them.

[Nokton48]

I also use the CRIS adapters in my two old Hasselblad Cds Meter Prisms. They work just great in those, as well as M5.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

I also use the CRIS adapters in my two old Hasselblad Cds Meter Prisms. They work just great in those, as well as M5.

I can't get Hasselblads out of my mind. Bigfoot & Bubba want to know. What's it like using Hasselblads and M5s together?

I should be content with my big Pentax 6x7.

The thought does keep nagging me.

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by venchka

Bigfoot & Bubba want to know. What's it like using Hasselblads and M5s together?

As you might well expect, they are a perfect complement to each other. Both finest European designs, 'blad is different from Pentax 6x7. Not better, just way different. They are ridiculously cheap right now, it's quite easy to "live the dream". I am, I have about everything they ever made in 'blad

You are asking about mixing the worlds' finest camera systems that were available in the 1970's. Pretty hard to go wrong, actually.

[Vincenzo Maielli]

To use my Leica M5, i use a Kanto MR-9 battery adapter, sold by The Small Battery Company, a London (UK) based company. The Kanto MR-9 is identical to the Cris Camera Service MR-9 adapter. All the MR-9 adapters employ a built in micro electronical device, that automatically reduce the silver oxide 1,55 voltage to the 1,35 voltage of the outlawed PX625 mercury oxide battery.
The best MR-9 adapter advantage is the use of very common and low priced 386 silver oxyde battery (used in the watch for example), with 1,55 voltage. The 386 battery don't discharge if the camera is not in use.
Instead, the Weincell MRB625 zync-air battery (with 1,35 voltage) is more expensive than 386 battery and discharge always, if use or not the camera. This drawback is due to the particular system of the Weincell zync-air batteries: to activate the MRB625 batteries is necessary take off the thin plastic foil that cover the holes of the battery, to allow the zync/air chemical reaction. The life of the MRB625 zync air battery go from 4 to 6 months or, if you replace the thin plastic foil over the holes of the battery after every use, go from 10 to 12 months (if you use the camera or not).
I think that the MR-9 adapter is a better choice than the Weincell MRB625 battery.
As alternative, you can use an SPX625 silver oxide battery, with 1,55 voltage. The silver oxide and the mercury oxide have the same constant output for the all useful life of the battery: therefore, to take the correct exposure reading, is sufficient to compensate the ASA setting. The dimension of the SPX625 battery are the same of the old outlawed PX625 battery.
Instead, the much worse choice is the alkaline 1,5 voltage APX625 battery.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

[capitalK]

I'd love to get one... I don't fully trust my M5 with Wein cell though I mostly feed it TRI-X and HP5, which are pretty forgiving.

[venchka]

Here's the budget friendly fix:

Buy a Wein cell battery. Use it. When exhausted, seperate the actual battery from the surrounding washer. Replace the Wein cell battery with a #675 hearing aid battery. The actual battery in the Wein cell is a #675 hearing aid battery. they are dirt cheap at Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, etc. Watch for sales.

Walgreens, on sale now.

24.0 ea. Sale $14.73 ea.

24 batteries for $14.73.

The CRIS thingie is $35-$40 PLUS the cost of battereis????????????????