Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Frank Theriault wrote: I always wondered about how bad those little mercury cells could be for the environment. I mean they're so tiny, and they last for 5, 10 years or more - at least in Spotmatics. ... Not much, Frank, but heavy metal pollution lasts forever (in human lifespan terms) and the effects are really bad, even at low levels of intoxication. They might be easily treated in an efficent recycling plant but probably the problem is most people just dump them. Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Hi, Flavio, You're right, mercury is highly toxic, and it's effects are horrendous. Was it Eugene Smith who did the photo essay for Life about Minimata (excuse me if I got the name wrong) Japan in the 50's? Heart-wrenching stuff! My point was that, compared to the amount of mercury that industries dump into streams, rivers and lakes, the amount of mercury that would end up in landfills from cells is miniscule. And, if they were disposed of properly, it would not be an issue at all. In northern Quebec (and other parts of Canada as well), thousands of square miles of water-systems have been polluted by mercury by mega-hydro-electric projects. Seems that vegetation has minute amounts of mercury in it, and the massive flooding for hydro reseviors kills those plants, and that mercury is released into the lakes and rivers, so that the Native People up there aren't supposed to eat the fish. Problem is it's one of their main sources of food. They don't eat fish, they starve. Quite a dilemma! My point simply is, that the Governments, in their wisdom, have consistently failed to go after the real polluters (wouldn't want to hurt the economy, would we?), while the rest of us are expected to make sacrifices. Having no mercury cells for my Spotmatic is, I understand, no big deal in the overall scheme of things. It's just frustrating is all. Meanwhile, the big guys continue to get away with murder. Literally. regards, frank Flavio Minelli wrote: Not much, Frank, but heavy metal pollution lasts forever (in human lifespan terms) and the effects are really bad, even at low levels of intoxication. They might be easily treated in an efficent recycling plant but probably the problem is most people just dump them. Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
On Fri, 27 Apr 2001 17:41:47 -0400, Frank Theriault wrote: My point simply is, that the Governments, in their wisdom, have consistently failed to go after the real polluters (wouldn't want to hurt the economy, would we?), while the rest of us are expected to make sacrifices. Having no mercury cells for my Spotmatic is, I understand, no big deal in the overall scheme of things. It's just frustrating is all. Meanwhile, the big guys continue to get away with murder. Literally. Very well said. [Soap Box Mode On] I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro-mess, (over 3.75 million people), and we are facing stiff monitary penalities from the fed if we do not, somehow, devise a plan to clean up the air. That sounds good on paper, but the main trouble with it is the biggest polluter here in this area is the DFW International airport! Of course, all they want to blame is the commuters driving their cars to and from work, and the elected officials have failed terribly at mass transit. Haven't heard =anyone= tell the airlines or airport to clean up their act. Wonder why? :-) [Soap Box Mode Off] We now return you to the regular LX pow-wow... :-) Later, Gary - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Hi Paul! thanks for the Minox update - I used to have an EL which i liked, and kinda regret having sold it. my rollei 35 cant be beat for optical quality, but it isnt exactly pocketable! or silent, and I didnt enjoy using my motorised (new!) Yashica T5, so I just traded it for a clean Minox GT. (hope the other guy's honest... he's got no previous record at photo.net and I'm shipping him my Yashica T5 first!). love that needle too :-) as for exposure, it'll be even worse for the lack of a genuine varta px27- I'll be using the replacement mercuries (6 volt insteadof 5.4 and hope for the best). no german PDL member has offered to help me get the vartas yet sob actually I'll probably resell the third pocket camera which I just won on ebay (couldnt resist...) and which i really, really dont need.. the ziess ikon contessa S-310. its a little beaut, but heavyish, no rangefinder... kinda like my rollei! Daphne - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Cy Galley wrote: ... The mercury cells are no long available in the US. Are they available in England? ... Cy, since there's a very good reason for their unavailability you could try the replacement way. I know air-zinc batteries, commonly used for hearing aids, have the same voltage (1,35 V) and can substitute old mercury ones without problems. Maybe they're easier to get and less harmful for your environment. Hope it helps, Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
I always wondered about how bad those little mercury cells could be for the environment. I mean they're so tiny, and they last for 5, 10 years or more - at least in Spotmatics. Don't get me wrong, I'm very concerned about environmental issues; I don't even own a car! But with all the crap that factories and cars spew into the air, and all the crap that factories and sewage systems spew into the water and ground, it always seemed to me that for the US to ban teeny tiny mercury cells is like killing a mosquito with a sledge hammer. Problem with the Zinc Air batteries (so I've heard), is that they don't last very long. Maybe 6 months or a year (someone with experience, please correct me if I'm wrong). So, which is harder on the environment? A battery that lasts 10 years, or one that last 1/10th or 1/20th of that, and therefore causes 10 to 20 times more volume of waste to dispose of? Just curious. regards, frank Flavio Minelli wrote: Cy, since there's a very good reason for their unavailability you could try the replacement way. I know air-zinc batteries, commonly used for hearing aids, have the same voltage (1,35 V) and can substitute old mercury ones without problems. Maybe they're easier to get and less harmful for your environment. Hope it helps, Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Actually, they are 1.4 volts and once unsealed last about 30 days. Zink/Air cells are not really a viable replacement. If the camera has voltage regulation in the meter circuit than silver or alkaline cells are the way to go. There is/was a company selling adapters that had a zener diode regulator in it and took s76 cells. Cost about $30 though. I believe Gosson sold similar adapters for their meters. --Tom Flavio Minelli wrote: Cy Galley wrote: ... The mercury cells are no long available in the US. Are they available in England? ... Cy, since there's a very good reason for their unavailability you could try the replacement way. I know air-zinc batteries, commonly used for hearing aids, have the same voltage (1,35 V) and can substitute old mercury ones without problems. Maybe they're easier to get and less harmful for your environment. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Sorry I goofed, should have read: ...from experience. I bought a couple Mercury Cells to replace the Zinc-Air battery in my SP... - Original Message - From: James Adams [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 7:06 PM Subject: Re: Mercury Cell for older camera That's quite correct, the Zinc Air batteries don't last very long, I know from experience. I bought a couple to replace the Zinc-Air battery in my SP (It died after 12 weeks), and removed the adapter. I always carry as a spare, in case my SPF battery dies, as it happened once, and I vowed never again. Also, I believe it is illegal to import them to Canada, but I know of a few places in YVR where they have old stock of mercury cells, and will still sell them. James - Original Message - From: Frank Theriault [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 2:21 PM Subject: Re: Mercury Cell for older camera I always wondered about how bad those little mercury cells could be for the environment. I mean they're so tiny, and they last for 5, 10 years or more - at least in Spotmatics. Don't get me wrong, I'm very concerned about environmental issues; I don't even own a car! But with all the crap that factories and cars spew into the air, and all the crap that factories and sewage systems spew into the water and ground, it always seemed to me that for the US to ban teeny tiny mercury cells is like killing a mosquito with a sledge hammer. Problem with the Zinc Air batteries (so I've heard), is that they don't last very long. Maybe 6 months or a year (someone with experience, please correct me if I'm wrong). So, which is harder on the environment? A battery that lasts 10 years, or one that last 1/10th or 1/20th of that, and therefore causes 10 to 20 times more volume of waste to dispose of? Just curious. regards, frank Flavio Minelli wrote: Cy, since there's a very good reason for their unavailability you could try the replacement way. I know air-zinc batteries, commonly used for hearing aids, have the same voltage (1,35 V) and can substitute old mercury ones without problems. Maybe they're easier to get and less harmful for your environment. Hope it helps, Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
On Thu, 26 Apr 2001, James Adams wrote: Also, I believe it is illegal to import them to Canada, but I know of a few places in YVR where they have old stock of mercury cells, and will still sell them. AFAIK they're still legal in Canada. The store at which I work still sells them. chris - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
AFAIK, the birth defects caused by mercury last a lifetime (not being preachy, as I've been sorely tempted by gear that needs mercury cells myself). Dan Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] I always wondered about how bad those little mercury cells could be for the environment. I mean they're so tiny, and they last for 5, 10 years or more - at least in Spotmatics. Don't get me wrong, I'm very concerned about environmental issues; I don't even own a car! But with all the crap that factories and cars spew into the air, and all the crap that factories and sewage systems spew into the water and ground, it always seemed to me that for the US to ban teeny tiny mercury cells is like killing a mosquito with a sledge hammer. Problem with the Zinc Air batteries (so I've heard), is that they don't last very long. Maybe 6 months or a year (someone with experience, please correct me if I'm wrong). So, which is harder on the environment? A battery that lasts 10 years, or one that last 1/10th or 1/20th of that, and therefore causes 10 to 20 times more volume of waste to dispose of? Just curious. regards, frank Flavio Minelli wrote: Cy, since there's a very good reason for their unavailability you could try the replacement way. I know air-zinc batteries, commonly used for hearing aids, have the same voltage (1,35 V) and can substitute old mercury ones without problems. Maybe they're easier to get and less harmful for your environment. Hope it helps, Flavio - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Chris, you wouldn't want to export a few to the US in an envelope _ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Mercury Cell for older camera
We have members in Germany. Perhaps one of them would be willing to help you get some batteries. They have a very good shelf life, so you could buy a half dozen and be good to go for years. Len --- -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Daphne Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 2:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Mercury Cell for older camera I'm facing the same problem (looking for a varta px27 for my 'new' Minox 35 GT) and it seems that they can be found in Germany mostly :-( Daphne - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Mercury Cell for older camera
There may be a working substitute or a work around. Which cell does the camera require? Is it a PX-13? Or what? Or doesn't she know? Tougher if she doesn't know, of course. Len -Original Message- From: Cy Galley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2001 1:41 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Mercury Cell for older camera A person that I ride with has an older Olympus camera that uses a mercury cell for metering. We were discussing availability. She bought the camera in Tokyo but that is a little far to go. The mercury cells are no long available in the US. Are they available in England? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Daphne, I used a Minox 35 GT and a Minox 35 ML as my main cameras for nine years. Damn, they were quiet--no louder than a Leica M6, perhaps quieter. It was wonderful to see the GT's needle rise and fall as I panned the lens. But it was frustrating to underexpos shots because of the GT's whole-area metering. A bright scene would turn a 1/30-second exposure into a 1/125- or 1/250-second exposure. So caveat photographer: If the exposure brevity seems too good to be true, it probably is. I had the same problem in my Olympus XA until I learned to turn the camera over, press my finger against the ISO dial, and dial in another couple EVs. The 35 ML (circa 1985?) introduced five improvements to the classic Minox exposure system: 1. Full-area metering was replaced by 60/40 center-weighted metering. 2. The GT's CdS (cadmium-sulfide) meter was replaced by a more accurate silicon diode. 3. Exposure hold was added (by half-depressing the shutter release). 4. A convenient +1 compensation switch was provided. 5. The 25-800 ISO scale was extended to ISO 1600. But the ML also did away with the G-series' galvanometric needle. Now you had a column of LEDs. While unquestionably more reliable, the LEDs introduced three inconveniences: 1. You could you not see your exposure change continuously. 2. You had to partially depress the shutter to activate the metering. 3. You would not know if your exposure had changed unless you removed your finger from the shutter button and partially depressed it again. The GT continued to be made, and in the late 80s Minox introduced its successor, the GTE. It adopted the ML's aforementioned improvements but retained the GT's retro needle-driven readout! The Minotar lens was redesigned for sharpness and shorter close focus. This arrangement has been carried over to the GTX and other models in the needle-driven GT series. Exposure challenges notwithstanding, you'll be more than satisfied with the sharpness of the Tessar-design 35/2.8 lens. Let us know if you find yourself taking photos you would have otherwise missed. I did. That's why I just bought a Yashica rangefinder. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Mercury Cell for older camera
Hi, Cy, Mercury cells are still legal to sell here in Canada, but availability is getting to be a problem. Last time I went looking for cells for my Spotmatic (and for some folks on this list), I scooped the last 6 Varta px400 replacement cells in Toronto's largest camera store, Henry's. The salesman (who was about 10 years younger than my camera) told me that Varta was discontinuing mercury cells, but I don't know how true that is. I do know that I looked in about 3 or 4 other stores, and no one had any mercury cells. But, if any of you Americans are in Canada, it might be worth checking a few camera stores for old stock. Their shelf life is approximately forever. But if they really aren't being made anymore, scoop 'em up while you can! regards, frank Cy Galley wrote: A person that I ride with has an older Olympus camera that uses a mercury cell for metering. We were discussing availability. She bought the camera in Tokyo but that is a little far to go. The mercury cells are no long available in the US. Are they available in England? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
