Best battery to use in Nikon FG?
I have a Nikon FG, Nikon Fe and Pentax Spotmatic F ( I think they use all same type batteries? Not sure). My question is what is the best type of battery to purchase for them? I've read you can use:
S-76, SR-44, LR-44 or CR-I 3N.
What does your user manuals say?
All but the CR 1/3 N are the same, (different codes for different manufacturers, they're also called M-76) buy whichever your dealer carries.
The CR 1/3N (also DL 1/3) is a 3v Lithium type which replaces TWO of the other - 1.5v Silver Oxide/Alkaline - types (as long as they stack vertically) and is rated for about 5 years.
A pair of 1.5v LR-44 etc. Will last around 1 year.
I'd look twice at the Spotmatic, though, it's older than the others and may (I'm not saying it does, just be aware) take a PX 28 type.
S76, A76, LR44, SR44, AG16 and probably others are all 1.5 volt batteries that fit the Nikon FG, Nikon FE and numerous other classic cameras. The FG and FE require two.
These batteries are available in alkaline and silver oxide. The silver oxides are becoming more widely available than the alkaline and are a little more costly but are supposed to be more environmentally friendly. I believe their voltage curves are the same. These batteries usually last around a year in a classic camera so be sure to buy two sets because you'll probably forget about them at the same time they need to be replaced!
The CR-1 3N or CR 1/3n is a lithum battery that puts out 3 volts and takes the place of two of the above 1.5 volt batteries. This battery will work great in the FG and FE and do so for several years. I use them in My Leica M6 TTL which is power hungry. In my Leica, this battery lasts about a year but in your cameras it should last two or more. It's worth the expense if you like the idea of just having one unit and not touching it for long periods. It's also safer if you tend to leave your camera sit unused because it has a 10 year shelf life so it won't corrode the battery compartment like the alkalines often do.
If you have cameras like the Pentax K1000 or Nikkormat FT2 that only take one A76 size battery though, it might be preferable to just use these in both so you can keep pairs in your camera bag and use them in either camera. The CR 1/3n is the size of two A76's so it clearly wouldn't fit in classic cameras that don't have electronic shutters or LED meters.
The Spotmatic F takes a PX645 (MRB645) battery. This was originally mercury based but is is only available in zinc air now and puts out 1.35 volts. Http://www.weincell.com/ is the main source for these although some hearing aid batteries by Energizer and the like will fit and are cheaper. These batteries have a different voltage curve than the ones above. When the battery can no longer hit 1.35 volts, the voltage just stops being delivered all together. This is nice because there will never bee any guessing as to if your camera's meter is reading properly or not. It either works or it doesn't, whereas the other ones rely on you knowing they are running low or a battery tester-equipped camera warning you.
I hope this is useful. Keep those classics shooting!
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