Battery type AA: Compatible cameras

AA (also called Mignon, IEC designation R6/LR6, ANSI 15A) is the world's most common cylindrical cell. 14.5 mm in diameter and 50.5 mm long. Introduced in 1907 as a flashlight cell, it has been found in practically every electronic device since ANSI standardization in 1947. Three chemistries are used in analogue cameras: alkaline manganese (1.5 V nominal voltage), NiMH rechargeable batteries (1.2 V), and, less commonly, lithium primary cells (1.5 V, Energizer L91). Available at every gas station, supermarket, and electronics store. Battery power is never the problem here.

AA batteries are found at Ausgeknipst in 369 listed camera models, from Super 8 classics to professional SLRs. Common examples:

• Super 8 movie cameras: Beaulieu S2008 (with our adapter), Braun Nizo (148, 156, 4080, 6080), Bolex 150/250/350/450, Elmo Super 8S, Canon 310XL family indirectly.
• Motorized SLRs: Canon T70, T90, Nikon F4 (4x AA), Nikon F4s (6x AA with MB-21 grip), Nikon F5 (8x AA), Nikon F90/F90X, Nikon F-801/F-801s, Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 9000, Contax 137 MA/MD Quartz.
• Medium format: Pentax 645/645N/645NII, Mamiya 645 AFD series (6x AA), Hasselblad 553 ELX and 555 ELD (5x AA), Rolleiflex 3003 and SL 2000 F.
• AF compacts: Nikon L35AF, Nikon Fun Touch, Olympus Trip AF, Canon AF35M (Sure Shot), Yashica T-AF, Pentax PC35AF and many other 1980s/1990s compacts.
• Accessories: Metz flash units (30, 32, 36, 40, 44, 45, 54, and the 70 series), Gossen light meters (Digipro, Sixtomat, Starlite), Sekonic L-308/L-408/L-508.

You can find the complete searchable list of all 369 models above on this page.

For AA-powered devices in analogue photography, rechargeable NiMH batteries are almost always the better choice. Three reasons:

• Voltage stability: Alkaline batteries start at around 1.6 V and continuously drop to 1.2 V under load. Their voltage therefore fluctuates throughout their service life. NiMH delivers a constant 1.2 V over almost the entire discharge cycle. For light meters and in-camera electronics, this means significantly more reliable readings than a fluctuating alkaline profile.
• Current draw: Motor-driven SLRs such as Nikon F5 or Canon T90 draw high currents briefly during film transport and AF. NiMH has lower internal resistance and sags less than alkaline batteries. You can feel the difference in frame rate and AF speed.
• Cost: A NiMH rechargeable battery withstands 500 to 1,000 charge cycles. With 4 or 6 AA batteries per camera, that pays for itself after just a few rolls of film. Modern low-self-discharge batteries (Panasonic Eneloop, Varta Accu Recycled, IKEA Ladda) retain their charge for over a year. You can easily pack charged batteries for travel.

One exception: For storage temperatures below freezing or for rare emergency backups in your bag, a primary lithium cell (Energizer L91) is worth the extra cost. It works down to −40 °C and has a 20-year shelf life. At Ausgeknipst, there are Varta AA rechargeable batteries with 2,600 mAh in a 10- to 20-pack.