Everything you need to know about the Canon FTB - including an important BATTERY HACK

[@RyeOnHam]

Just got my FTb. I have never seen such an oddball battery as the one that came with it. I'll have to check my O-Ring set for the right one, but thank you for the advice! The Zinc-Air batteries seem like a better option than everything else I'm seeing.

[@randymcatee]

If you use a battery as suggested in this vid - I think its a bit underpowered thus you need to overexpose one or two stops. I need to get mine out and shoot another roll, but iirc some of the shots I did after doing this vid were a bit underexposed.

[@paulnix9778]

A Canon Ftb was my first real camera back in 1973 when the Air Force had me overseas. Using the O-ring is a good idea.

[@randymcatee]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@hunterclapsadl4776]

Randy this was so helpful. You're a star!

[@randymcatee]

Thanks, just a heads up though - I'm pretty sure the meter was underexposing many of my shots due to the voltage being slightly lower - so I suggest that bracket your shots -- maybe one or two stops. (I intend to do a follow up video on my results eventually)

[@joymavchi7094]

Thank you very much it was a big help I just brought a canon FTB QL camera .

[@randymcatee]

You're Welcome. Due the battery being 1.3v (instead of 1.5) I suggest you overexpose by one or two stops.

[@jameschiu1074]

Hi Randy,it is excellent hack idea,easy and chip to do,thank you.

[@randymcatee]

You're welcome!

[@Alakazam024]

Hey Randy! Do you still recommend this hack? I have found some MR44 adapters on eBay that I read would work for the small hearing aid batteries with thee bonus that they have voltage correction but those adapters aren't cheap. Do you have to do anything to compensate for the extra voltage? Hope you're doing well, friend!

[@randymcatee]

I'll need to shoot this camera again to confirm, but if I recall correctly you do need to overexpose by 1 or 2 stops. Thanks for asking and reminding me to update.

[@anothermedvlog1663]

cant wait to try this! I've been metering on my phone and intuitively because the 1.35v wiencell batteries I was buying kept dying so fast

[@kilianhzh]

There is a battery adapter that converts type 392 1.55v silver oxide celles to the MR-44 format with 1.35v output the adapter is ca. 40€/$ , but the actual batteries are so cheap that it’s worth the investment

[@randymcatee]

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry for the late reply. I think with this battery hack you need to overexpose by one or two stops. Feel free to let me know how it worked for you.

[@MrAbel108]

Can I find these batteries at any stores?

[@randymcatee]

Just about any store will have them. Just google --- 675 hearing aid battery --- I think I picked up mine at CVS. I am going to order my next batch from Amazon.

[@randymcatee]

Just type this in Amazon search bar: 60 Rayovac Extra Mercury Free Hearing Aid Batteries Size: 675.

[@ArthurJS123]

This is great. Thank you. I was going to buy a Wein Cell, but they cost a fortune. What size O Rings do you use?

[@randymcatee]

I really dunno. I bought a pack from - I think it was the 99 cent store and just used the one that fit.

[@ArthurJS123]

@@randymcatee I ended up using a larger battery, as the one in your video seemed too small to me. Got an O ring at the hardware store. Works perfectly. No more Wein Cells for me!

[@likaleica]

Number 9 plumbers O-ring

[@fodsonmedia]

Awesome, thanks! So did I understand correctly that these don't cause the exposure errors that the usual replacement batteries do? Are there any other advantages? Cheers /Fred

[@randymcatee]

Sorry for this late reply, but I suspect there will not be a problem, however I have yet to shoot the camera since I made this video.

[@ahmed-kz1fz]

what is the benefit of the battery

[@randymcatee]

The purpose of the battery is to operate the light meter built into the camera. Since the camera is otherwise mechanical, you can shoot without the meter, but it's a bonus and blessing if the meter works properly. Here's a link to a video on how the light meter works: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqCapqefq9KiZrs

[@roiloubia4483]

The battery is just to operate the light meter. If you want to do serious photography, I strongly suggest to use an external light meter (a handheld meter). Personally I use Pentax spotmeter V. I don't have to worry about battery..there is many types and brands of handheld meters at different prices..Will be pleased to answer any question on this subject..I own several Canon 35mm film cameras (A1, AE1, FTb Ql, F1 old and NEW F1, T90), all great cameras that still work as new. Enjoy your film photography..

[@ahmed-kz1fz]

@@roiloubia4483 thank you very much 🌹🌹

[@Happy35More]

I mean.. the camera has mechanical shutter... so you really dont need a battery.

[@randymcatee]

Not sure your point. There are oodles of cameras that are essentially mechanical, with the exception of the light meter, that can be operated without the battery (to operate the meter). If the camera has a light meter, and it still works, I would think that most people who own such a camera would consider that a blessing.