I just picked up a mint A3 on Ebay. I'm wondering if it's possible to recalibrate the meter to take 1.55V batteries rather than the 1.35V batteries. The zinc-air cells seem to put the meter right on at 1.4V, but they don't last very long. It's simple to recalibrate my Minolta SRT 201, and so I wonder if there is a similar adjustment on the A3?
It is possible though not as simple as the SRT cameras. You could reset the ASA to compensate assuming the meter reading is off the same amount across its range. The best solution would be to install a diode to lower the voltage of the silver oxide batteries then calibrate the meter and exposure system. Mike
I believe the metering of the A3 is similar to the T3. On the T3, all you need to do is adjust the two potentionmeters on top of the prism. One controls the meter sensitivity and the other controls the battery check indication. It is easy once you get the top off.