There has been lots of discussion of this. The latest consensus is that
brand matters and the Everedy Energizer 357, often labeled 'high-drain'
is the best choice for OMs. The high drain capability is needed during
actual shutter operation. Other batteries can test fine, but still fail
to provide enough current when the shutter is released and leave the
mirror stuck up until reset long before their useful life would
otherwise be up. Total capacity isn't useful without sufficient current
capacity.
Moose
To quote another member summarizing the answer to your question with
some experience that generally agrees with your calculations:
"And if there's anybody who hasn't heard -- a newbie maybe -- these
Bunny 357s are the way to go. My newest OM-4Ti, if it makes it
until mid-August, will have gone TWO YEARS on one set, and it's
had a fair number of 36-exp. rolls run through it. Plus, I don't
bother with such questionable measures as setting to the red or
taking the batteries out. I figure my battery cost is about 1%
of my film expenditure, not counting processing. Even my oldest
OM-4, circa 1983, an alleged battery-eater whose beep goes on
forever, goes 6-8 months on a pair.
This is probably the single most useful thing I have learned in my
time on this list!"
Walt Wayman
CyberSimian wrote:
In the discussion about the OM4Ti power drain with meter off, no one has
suggested how long the batteries might actually last. There are several
different types of SR44 cell. My Maplin catalogue (electronic component
suppliers in UK) lists 3 different types, suitable for "high drain", "low
drain", and "normal" applications, but their capacity does not vary much --
165mAh (milli-amp-hour) for the first two, 150mAh for the third. Using
this, one can work out how long the battery would last if the camera were
put away in a cupboard with fresh batteries.
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