Canon 814 autozoom... 1.3 volt mercury battery no longer produced.. help!

**balloonicle** · January 8th, 2005, 06:51 PM

Hey kids. I need some help here. I just got a Canon 814 autozoom super 8 camera, and noticed that in order to get the exposure meter to work, I need a 1.3 v mercury battery which are now extinct.

Has anyone gotten around this problem? I guess there is a company called Wein Cell that makes alternatives to this battery, but has anyone tried this? How does it work?

Can I just use a normal 1.5 v alkaline? Will that work?

**Ta155** · January 9th, 2005, 06:07 AM

Alkaline will work but exposure may be a little off.

Anyway, here you should get a direct replacement:

Battery, WEIN Cell PX625 Replacement

R

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 09, 2005 02:09 AM: Message edited by: S8 Booster ]</font>

**BolexPlusx** · January 9th, 2005, 10:40 AM

True: the 1.5V cell may throw your exposure off. However, if you have autoexposure adjustability you can dial it back in. I did this on one of my cameras and it works fine. The only gotcha is that alkaline cells gradually decline in voltage as time passes, so I have to watch the battery voltage or my exposure will drift.

I've seen the 1.35V PX-13/PX-625 Wein cell in the local drug store as a hearing aid cell. They were really cheap too.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 09, 2005 06:43 AM: Message edited by: BolexPlusx ]</font>

**rs77** · January 14th, 2005, 01:17 AM

If you do a search for the words canon and battery you will find a few threads that will be helpful (sorry I'm too lazy to link them).

I came across the same problem with not much time to experiment and went with the 1.5V PX625 batteries. It seems the consensus is that you have to adjust what the light meter reads by switching to manual and over exposing by about 1 stop. I used a independant light meter and it seemed like that was about right. I am sending the film off soon, so I will keep you updated as to how it turns out.

**rs77** · February 19th, 2005, 04:36 PM

I promised I would follow up on this...

I just got my film back and the exposure (with the 1.5V PX625 batteries, and overexposing what the meter reads by 1 stop) was right on. I was also using a still light meter and reading based on a 1/30 shutter speed, and the reading was the same as the built in light meter. I did bracket for a lot of my shots because I needed to be sure I got a good exposure. That said, I would have to say that those batteries work very well if you overexpose one stop, and the proper shutter speed equivilant for a Canon 814 is about 1/30.

Any other thoughts would be welcome...

**deyace2** · December 16th, 2024, 06:01 AM

The Canon 814 Autozoom, a beloved super 8 camera, has a critical issue the original 1.3-volt mercury battery is no longer produced. This poses a challenge for many users who wish to maintain and use this vintage camera. However, there is a viable solution: replacing the mercury battery with a 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 battery. This battery type is durable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly, making it a great alternative. By using a suitable step-down voltage regulator, users can safely power their Canon 814 Autozoom, allowing them to continue capturing moments with their cherished camera.

**William66** · January 21st, 2025, 08:52 AM

The Canon 814 Autozoom, a vintage Super 8 film camera, once relied on a 1.3-volt mercury battery, a power source that is no longer produced due to environmental concerns. This change has left users searching for alternatives to keep their cameras functional. One modern solution involves using a DC to DC battery charger, which can step down voltage from a more commonly available source to the 1.3-volt requirement. For those seeking a reliable power supply, Bluetti, a company known for portable power stations, offers a range of solutions that can accommodate this need, providing an eco-friendly option for vintage camera enthusiasts.

**William66** · February 14th, 2025, 11:11 AM

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**William66** · February 15th, 2025, 10:05 AM

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