Canon · Film cameras
Canon AE-1 battery
1 × 6V alkaline cell
The Canon AE-1 takes one 6V photographic cell. Canon’s museum listing names a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell or 4LR44 alkaline; modern buyers use 4LR44, PX28 / 4SR44, or PX28L in that form factor. This is not a 1.35V PX625 mercury replacement. The camera needs a live cell to operate.
How to replace it
| Compartment | Battery chamber in the camera body (front/grip area — coin-slot cover) |
|---|---|
| How to open | Open the battery chamber cover (often easier with the viewfinder cover used as a tool per period manuals). Insert a 6V photographic cell matching the chamber polarity marks. |
| Orientation | Follow polarity marks inside the chamber |
| Low battery indicator | Battery check button — watch the meter needle in the viewfinder (period AE-1 manuals) |
| Notes | The AE-1 will not operate correctly without a live 6V cell. This is not a 1.35V PX625 mercury button cell. |
| Access | Tool-free |
Important
- Needs a 6V photographic stack cell (4LR44 / PX28 family) — not a single 1.5V button cell and not a PX625 1.35V mercury replacement.
- Original Canon documentation allowed a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell or 4LR44 alkaline; mercury cells are obsolete — use a modern 6V equivalent.
- Silver-oxide PX28 / 4SR44 and lithium PX28L are commonly sold as form-factor replacements; prefer the chemistry your source recommends for meter behaviour.
- Keep button and photo cells away from children.
Sources
Helpful for this device
Optional tools for opening, testing or charging — separate from the battery answer.
- Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter
Accurate open-circuit voltage and basic electrical checks
- Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter
General DC voltage checks including battery terminals
- Digital multimeter
Measure open-circuit voltage and general electronics checks
New battery but still not working?
A fresh 1 × 4LR44 should restore Canon AE-1 if the battery was the problem. Work through the checks below before replacing the device.
- Check orientation
Confirm the cell is seated correctly: Follow polarity marks inside the chamber
- Check the battery type
This device needs 1 × 4LR44 (alkaline). Rechargeable cells are not supported for this device. Same size does not always mean the same battery.
- Check known model-specific issues
Needs a 6V photographic stack cell (4LR44 / PX28 family) — not a single 1.5V button cell and not a PX625 1.35V mercury replacement. Original Canon documentation allowed a 4G-13 mercury oxide cell or 4LR44 alkaline; mercury cells are obsolete — use a modern 6V equivalent. Silver-oxide PX28 / 4SR44 and lithium PX28L are commonly sold as form-factor replacements; prefer the chemistry your source recommends for meter behaviour.
- Confirm the battery itself
Try a known-good fresh cell of the exact code listed above.
- Still not responding?
If a correct, fresh battery installed properly does not restore the device, the fault may be elsewhere — the device may need service or replacement.