Battery type 9V: Compatible cameras

The 9V block battery (official IEC designation 6LR61 for alkaline, 6F22 for zinc-carbon; also known as PP3 in the UK and MN1604 by Duracell) is a rectangular battery measuring 48.5 × 26.5 × 17.5 mm, with two snap terminals on top. Inside the alkaline version, six individual 1.5V cells are connected in series; the lithium version contains three 3V cells. The 9V battery was introduced in 1956 by National Carbon (Eveready) for the first transistor radios. Today, it is one of the most readily available battery types worldwide, stocked everywhere from drugstores and supermarkets to hardware stores.

9V batteries are used primarily in external light meters and flash meters, as well as some viewfinder compact cameras from the late 1970s through the 1990s. By far the most important application is Gossen meters from around 1975 onward: Luna-Pro F, Lunasix F, Profisix, Mastersix, Multisix, Variosix F, Color-Pro, Colormaster 2F/3F, Spot-Master 1 and 2, and Ultra-Pro. In addition, the Spiratone Spotmeter SPI and SSS Flash Meter, as well as the Kodak VR35 K12, use a 9V battery. You can find the complete searchable compatibility list with all 17 models at the top of this page.

For Gossen and Spiratone light meters, the lithium 9V battery (e.g., Ultralife U9VL-J) is the technically better choice, even though alkaline batteries are considerably cheaper and available everywhere:

• Alkaline (Varta, Duracell, GP): Approximately 550–600 mAh capacity, with voltage continuously declining throughout its service life, a shelf life of 5–7 years, and a risk of leakage if stored in the device for a long time. Advantage: EUR 1–2 per battery, available in four-packs at supermarkets.
• Lithium (Ultralife U9VL-J): Approximately 1200 mAh, meaning twice the runtime. Very flat discharge curve (~80–90% of the capacity remains close to 9 V), 10-year shelf life, extremely low self-discharge, significantly lighter, and resistant to cold. Advantage: insert it and forget about it for years—no leakage. Disadvantage: EUR 8–15 per battery.

Unlike button-cell cameras (PX625, etc.), the steady voltage drop in 9V devices is hardly critical: Gossen light meters from 1975 onward use internal voltage regulators and operational amplifiers that reduce the input voltage to a constant level. As long as the battery remains above approximately 6–7 V, measurement accuracy remains unchanged; after that, the Batt-Test indicator provides a warning.