What battery options can I use for an Olympus OM-1 light meter?
Asked 4/5/2013
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I have an Olympus OM-1 that originally used a 1.35V mercury battery for its built-in light meter. Since mercury cells are no longer available, what are the practical replacement options? I'm interested in drop-in batteries, adapters, or camera modifications, and I’d also like to know whether voltage differences will affect meter accuracy.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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There are some warnings about using different types of non-mercury replacement batteries. In this flickr thread, there are a few suggestions:
Use the WeinCell MRB625 replacement battery for PX625/PX13. This is designed as a drop-in replacement for the OM-1, and even says so on the packaging.
Get 1.3V hearing-aid batteries from the drug store. Apparently they fit and work.
Use readily-available 1.5V lithium cells, but learn to read the meter as off or trick the camera by setting the ISO down by two stops. (That is, if you're using ISO 100 film, set it to 25; if you're using ISO 400, set it to 100.)
Get an adapter which converts 1.5V to 1.35V, like MR-9 Battery Adapter for Film Camera & Exposure Meter.
Have your OM-1 overhauled to take modern batteries.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
13y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. The OM-1 originally used a 1.35V mercury cell, so modern replacements can affect meter accuracy, but you have several workable options:
- WeinCell MRB625 / PX625 replacement: a common drop-in substitute specifically intended for cameras like the OM-1.
- Zinc-air hearing-aid batteries: 1.3–1.4V cells are often used successfully as substitutes.
- MR-9 adapter: lets you use a modern 1.5V battery while reducing voltage to the original 1.35V, which is a cleaner long-term solution.
- 1.5V cells without an adapter: these can make the meter read off. One workaround mentioned is to compensate by setting the ISO lower by about two stops.
- Camera modification/service: a technician can convert or calibrate the meter for modern batteries.
Some users also report acceptable results with small button cells such as AG13/A76/357 or PR44/675-type batteries, sometimes with a spacer to make them fit. That can work, but fit and accuracy may vary.
If you want the simplest reliable option, a WeinCell or an MR-9 adapter is the safest choice.
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