M5 Questions: Simply Newbie Questions

[filmtwit]

Well newbie for this camera:

How hard should it be to read the meter in the readings in the viewfinder?

How long should I expect a battery to last? Should I pull said battery when not in use?

How prone is the viewfinder to scratching glasses?

Body cap: Is it OK to run a normal Leica body cap? What's the differnce between the normal cap and M5 body cap?

 

[J J Kapsberger]

The meter scale should be very easy to read even for someone wearing glasses.

You needn't pull the batter when the camera's not in use. There's no drain on the battery if the shutter's not cocked and virtually no drain if it's cocked but the lens has a cap on it.

The viewfinder ring is made out of plastic, so no worries with the glasses.

It's OK to use a normal Leica body cap, as it doesn't extend into the body to the point where it threatens the meter arm.

 

[gm13]

My meter is read quite easily, is yours dim?
The battery is only being tapped when the meter is on ie shutter wound. I wouldn't pull it unless not being used for some time.
No info on the glasses being scratched.
Body cap should be the same as any M.

Enjoy it, great camera that is so nice to use.

 

[jmcd]

Just to add to the other answers:

The viewfinder ring on my M5 was metal, as on the M2, M3, and M4. I had it replaced with the M6 ring, which has an outer perimeter of rubber.

I have had my battery in my M5 for a year and it is still good—I had my meter converted for the 1.5 alkaline (625u, I think).

 

[filmtwit]

Thanks folks.

Meter looks to be dim, can't always make out the shutter speeds because of it.

Yes, eye piece is metal on mine too.

 

[tonys]

Sometimes M5's have dim meter readout sections, particularly the shutter speed readout. As I understand it from talking to repairers there is nothing that can be done about this.

 

[ERV]

DAG has rubber rings that fit over metal viewfinders to avoid scratching eyeglasses.
They are 15$ each, but do the trick. See his website.
I tried to improvise with a small rubber O ring but could not get it to stay in place.
As far as I can tell, all body caps -Leica and generic- are the same. I have a mix and use them on my M5 without an issue.