My wife has a black-body FTb which hasn't seen film in ten years and which as you might guess needs a battery for the meter. Does anyone know what currently-available battery will replace the EPX13 (mercury and no longer available) battery in the FTb?
Also, there is a loose screw visible (in sharp clear focus!) in the viewfinder. Is this a simple thing to fix or do I have to send it, and is the camera worth getting repaired?
I thinks it's time to consult the canon "camera museum"
and/or the nearest Canon service facility....
also, check with Duracell / Energizer
they have battery application (and cross reference) guides
Ftb ("fabulous to buy")
isn't that from That '70's Show
The Canon FTB was my first 35mm SLR although mine was silver. I think my Dad still has it in a drawer somewhere and he still uses a Canon EF body.
Photo.net has a list of people doing business on the internet and if I remember correctly there were some Ex-Canon Tech's listed there. I know some of them at least worked on the A Series as I had an A-1 about 4 years ago. I would check there and see if you can locate one who would work on your FTB. It would not surprise me if Canon would no longer work on it now.
beanpkk wrote:
My wife has a black-body FTb which hasn't seen film in ten years and which as you might guess needs a battery for the meter. Does anyone know what currently-available battery will replace the EPX13 (mercury and no longer available) battery in the FTb?
Also, there is a loose screw visible (in sharp clear focus!) in the viewfinder. Is this a simple thing to fix or do I have to send it, and is the camera worth getting repaired?
Thanks for any info.
Keith
The original battery for the FTB - 625 1.35 volt. A replacement, since the 625 is mercury, is the Wein MRB625 PX625. It is an air/zinc battery. It is activated when the tab is pulled from the battery. The air activates the battery. It works, but has nowhere the life of the old 625. You could also bring the camera to a camera repair shop and have it recalibrated for another type of battery.
The original battery for the FTB - 625 1.35 volt. A replacement, since the 625 is mercury, is the Wein MRB625 PX625. It is an air/zinc battery. It is activated when the tab is pulled from the battery. The air activates the battery. It works, but has nowhere the life of the old 625. You could also bring the camera to a camera repair shop and have it recalibrated for another type of battery.
I may have an idea for you. I still have on hand an old Vivitar 220/SL which calls for a 1.35 volt mercury battery. At that time the Mallory PX-675, Everyready E-675 or equivalent. I wear a hearing aid which takes a 1.4 volt battery also numbered 675 which is the same physical size. The camera shop that I was dealing with at the time was run by a fellow that was also a family friend of many years so I believe that what he told me was accurate and I noticed no problems when I did it. IT was use the hearing aid battery in the camera! He said the voltage was close enough to not hurt anything or throw the meter off.
If it turns out that you are looking for one that has a hearing aid equilivent, watch for sales at Walgreens, CVS or the like. You can at times find them on sale for half price of around $4.99 for an eight pack.
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