Choice of 3 film cameras. Which one?

[compur]

I see three MR-9 adapters on eBay USA right now ranging in price from $9-$14 shipped. Since you only have to buy it once and can use it on any number of cameras, it seems like a pretty reasonably priced solution to me and does not require any of the above tinkering.


I'm thinking there's a bit of chance that the HK knock-offs don't really deliver.

I have several that I've used for years and they've worked fine. The MR-9 is simply a metal case with a diode in it. The diode in the originals probably comes from the same place as those made in HK.

Battery woes aside, 60s-70s SLRs aren't exactly free of age-related issues. With camera repair usually exceeding their cost(assuming you can find it), old manual bodies can be a crap shoot now. Not sure anyone just starting film photography wants the headaches.

Yes, it's terribly adventurous and should never be attempted by wimps, whiners or weenies.

 

[gsgary]

I see three MR-9 adapters on eBay USA right now ranging in price from $9-$14 shipped. Since you only have to buy it once and can use it on any number of cameras, it seems like a pretty reasonably priced solution to me and does not require any of the above tinkering.

I'm thinking there's a bit of chance that the HK knock-offs don't really deliver. If you want the CRIS originals that work--I have a couple and they do--you're not going to get 'em at those prices. Most simply allow a smaller zinc-air hearing aid battery(notice the holes in the cheapo adapter?) to fit in a PX625 battery chamber. For 6 bucks, those are probably worth it. The others? Caveat emptor.

Battery woes aside, 60s-70s SLRs aren't exactly free of age-related issues. With camera repair usually exceeding their cost(assuming you can find it), old manual bodies can be a crap shoot now. Not sure anyone just starting film photography wants the headaches.

Not so much when you buy Leica mine have be trouble free both from 1983

 

[cgw]

"Yes, it's terribly adventurous and should never be attempted by wimps, whiners or weenies."

Just not willing to let nostalgia and semi-functional relics get between me and a shot, especially when better is available for the same or less.

Guess that sort of endlessly repeated dogma and blind acceptance works on APUG. Not for me, bro.

 

[limr]

Well, there's your problem - you only have semi-functional relics! Try fully functional ones. It makes a difference. :mrgreen:

We get it. You like newer models. Can we move on now?

 

[Mach2]

Haven't really been following the discussion on this thread too closely, as half the stuff being debated was over my head.

But anywhoooo, here's an update.

Got myself a working K1000 on EBay. Should be working, anyways. Seller said that the battery was good, and it comes with a wwrist strap and 50mm lens. I'm excited. I paid a little more in shipping than I'd like, but oh well. It's mine. :3

If you got a crush, don't be an octopus

 

[compur]

^ Good. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Mach2]

Will do! I can't wait to try it out.

If you got a crush, don't be an octopus

 

[limr]

Haven't really been following the discussion on this thread too closely, as half the stuff being debated was over my head.

But anywhoooo, here's an update.

Got myself a working K1000 on EBay. Should be working, anyways. Seller said that the battery was good, and it comes with a wwrist strap and 50mm lens. I'm excited. I paid a little more in shipping than I'd like, but oh well. It's mine. :3

If you got a crush, don't be an octopus

Show us pictures when you have 'em! (and remember to get a lens cap to keep that battery from draining too fast.)

 

[Mach2]

Lens cap will be the first thing I make sure it has. XD

And yes. Pics will be posted. :3 I'm so excited for it to get here.

If you got a crush, don't be an octopus

 

[pete72]

Maybe in 1976 mercury batteries were already phased out?

The Olympus OM-1N always used Mercury batteries & that continued until 1987.
You can get modern equivalents with the same voltage or a conversion done on the camera to take a more common type of modern battery.
Either way, you don't need a battery for the K1000. Using a separate meter is good fun.