Nikon R8 batteries

Forum covering all aspects of small gauge cinematography! This is the main discussion forum.

Moderator: Andreas Wideroe

Post Reply
nickrapak
Posts: 81
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:51 am
Real name: Nicholas Rapak
Contact:

Nikon R8 batteries

Post by nickrapak »

Ever since I started shooting movies, my primary cameras have all been Regular 8. The only S8 cameras that I have had are small, cheap, fixed-focus cameras that were bought to be broken. Well, now I've been dragged kicking and screaming into the world of Super 8! :mrgreen: I just bought a Nikon R8 Super for $25, and after cleaning out the corrosion in both battery compartments, it seems to be working fine. However, I have two questions related to the batteries.

First, the main battery compartment contacts seem to be slightly loose, as the camera will shut off while testing, until I shake the handle, at which point it starts up again. Is this a common problem? If so, how is it fixed? If not, do you have any ideas as to how to fix it?

Next, I know that the meter takes PX625 batteries, as the corroded batteries required the use of a Dremel tool to open the compartment. My question is whether the 625A batteries will work or whether an exact 1.35v charge is needed.
bolextech
Posts: 327
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:16 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada
Contact:

Re: Nikon R8 batteries

Post by bolextech »

The 625A batteries are higher voltage and can give you from 1 to 1-1/2 stop underexposure on automatic setting. The good thing is that you can use the over and under compensation button to correct somewhat for this. Your first test roll will tell you a lot about exactly how to set exposure.

Cheers,
Jean=Louis
Jean-Louis Seguin
Motion Picture Camera Technician
Montreal, Canada
User avatar
beamascope
Posts: 156
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:47 pm
Real name: Jim Gibbons
Location: Oklahoma City, OK.
Contact:

Re: Nikon R8 batteries

Post by beamascope »

Any chance you could post a pic of the battery compartment with the loose terminals?
nickrapak
Posts: 81
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:51 am
Real name: Nicholas Rapak
Contact:

Re: Nikon R8 batteries

Post by nickrapak »

Here are the pictures of both the camera contacts and the battery cart contacts:
Image

Image
aj
Senior member
Posts: 3558
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 1:15 pm
Real name: Andre
Location: Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Nikon R8 batteries

Post by aj »

nickrapak wrote:
First, the main battery compartment contacts seem to be slightly loose, as the camera will shut off while testing, until I shake the handle, at which point it starts up again. Is this a common problem? If so, how is it fixed? If not, do you have any ideas as to how to fix it?

Next, I know that the meter takes PX625 batteries, as the corroded batteries required the use of a Dremel tool to open the compartment. My question is whether the 625A batteries will work or whether an exact 1.35v charge is needed.
The 3 cameras contacts are spring-loaded. So they can be forced in a bit. Just make sure the cups on the clip are clean. Rub the cameracontacts with a fine sandpaper but don't push too strong inwards.

There is a two-way batterytester on the side of the camera.

When using the 1.5V alkaline just compare with a external lightmeter. 0.15v differnce is not likely to cause much of a difference. Fresh silver-oxide used to have a higher voltage too. Anyone got a set :) Some circuitries are completely imune until vaporized.
Kind regards,

André
Post Reply