Topic: Konica C35 help with battery

[astrobeck]

Hello everyone.
Especially to the Konica C35 users here and I know there are a  few of us.

I was just gifted a cute little C35 and for the life of me, I can't seem to get the meter needle to activate....
I put in a fresh LR44 battery and even shimmed it a bit with some foil and the needle barely moves when I press the shutter, but doesn't really move at all if that makes sense.

The shutter fires, and the advance works fine.
The seals need a redo as they are gunky like old melted dinosaurs from la Brea.
Help me Konica Obi Wans...
Have I overlooked a trick?
I searched the archives and didn't find an answer.  Thanks!

[mikec]

The meter needle should move as soon as you point it at a light source.  No need to press the shutter release.  Plus side of the battery faces up toward the battery cap.  I have a 1.4V A675 in mine, shimmed with a wad of folded aluminum foil.

[Bryan]

If you push the shutter button halfway down it will lock in the exposure.  I used that on mine to compensate far a back lit scene.  I pointed it at a darker area, pushed the shutter button half way then pointed at my subject and took the shot.  It doesn’t mention that in the manual, I figured it out by chance. 

[astrobeck]

I kinda figured that might happen too...but the needle has to move first and mine does not...
Searching the bay for a working one now.....
Or if someone knows a trick about fixing one, like taking off the bottom plate, etc. I'm all ears and solder gun here.
:-)

[Kai-san]

I'm sure you know this Becky, but if the shutter works you can probably shoot it in manual mode with an external meter or use sunny 16. It wont be exactly point & shoot though.

[EarlJam]

Sorry, can't help with the meter. My C35 powers up with zinc-air 675 hearing aid batteries, which are cheap and last long enough for me to get through a roll. Back in the day, I primarily shot Fujichrome 100 at box speed and found the meter to be remarkably accurate. The GN system for flash works well, too.

I managed to save the owner's manual and can send a scanned copy if you're interested.

[02Pilot]

There's often corrosion at the battery end of the wire run in Japanese compacts of that era. Unfortunately it usually means tearing things apart and running new wire between the battery and the meter cell. You won't know until you at least get a look at the battery end of the wire.

[mikec]

My C35 was in a box of photo gear given to me by a friend's widow.  She would be fine with seeing it go to someone who will appreciate and use it.  Also have a Spotmatic battery cover looking for a home.  Let me know if you are in the mood for bagels.

[astrobeck]

My C35 was in a box of photo gear given to me by a friend's widow.  She would be fine with seeing it go to someone who will appreciate and use it.  Also have a Spotmatic battery cover looking for a home.  Let me know if you are in the mood for bagels.

sure, let's do some swapping...I  have a box of stuff that you might be interested in as well. I'll message you.