New (to me) Leica M5

[SolaresLarrave]

It's not really new... it just came in today, September 21, 2010. Now, I can claim membership in the Leica M5 Owners Club (with secret handshake and super powers ring, plus a special meter that works under all conditions!).

Here it is, sporting a Konica Hexanon 35mm (the one I think works the best... until I get another 35mm lens!).

A closer view (I just whitened the Leica M5 lettering)

Third view, from the right side...

More coming later...

The meter is definitely wonky... I just loaded a roll of Fuji ISO 400 print film, and I can see the weird meterings it's giving me. And metering and focusing is a bit strange... but the shutterspeed overhanging dial definitely helps.

 

[chris7521]

Good luck with it. Looks like it's in good condition. I'm sure you'll love it as I do mine!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The back is in critical condition... but at least I got the PC covers!

The battery is the 625 type... I may see what happens with a Wein cell.

The configuration is two lugs... which is going to make it difficult to get a strap other than the type I hate (flat, plasticky). But since the camera will go to Sherry's Spa next week, we'll see what she recommends.

Here are the new views!

Back, with damaged leatherette (I guess Morgan can come to the rescue here)

And here's the other side, with a worn out battery cover...

All in all, I cannot complain. With shipping, I didn't even pay $475 for this camera... and I didn't even mean to buy it. It was just a bid... to help the seller make a sale for a nicer price. Who would have thought I was going to get that "nice" price! 🙂

The camera kinda grows on you... Despite the wonky meter!

 

[kdemas]

Francisco... You might try popping in a new battery to see if the meter is freaking due to a low charge. I have had very good luck with the Wein cells BTW.

Great deal, I hope you end up enjoying it. Love mine.

Kent

 

[kdemas]

By the way, I read in a recent thread that the two lug position is actually designed for a strap that can run freely through the end lugs (not attached in traditional style. I'm going to find a strap that can accommodate this and give it a whirl, just for fun and to see what the designers had in mind.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Ken, IIIRC the Wikipedia entry for the M5 says that the 2-lug configuration came with the early production. Users complained and they added a third lug.

Looks like the strap should be flat, does not allow for any type of hook, and must run by both lugs. There may be straps to match this configuration, but I doubt they be like the nice, confortable Domke type.

And yes... this camera is nice: the VF is huge and luminous, and it handles nicely (once you get the hang of the metering and focusing). I'll unwrap one Wein cell meter I have and give it a try.

Thanks for the tip! 🙂

 

[kdemas]

Francisco,

Yes, the 2 lugs were early, 3 lugs later. Later models had some small mechanical changes that were also deemed as being desirable from a reliability/performance standpoint. I have a late 3 lugger but can sill try to run the strap through the 2 lug configuration.

Hopefully the battery will help with your metering issue.

Kent

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Odd... metering indoors kinda matches my Sekonic L208. Once I take it outdoors, some readings are OK, others are downright loony. And this AFTER replacing the cell that came with the camera with a fresh Wein 625.

As I said, this camera is going to Sherry's Spa next week. 🙂 Further suggestions welcome!

 

[Steven Dooley]

Congrats, and welcome to the club!

I think you will be surprised at how pleasant the M5 handles; I can't say enough about the overhanging shutter speed dial and the ratcheted rewind crank.

Mine went to Sherry, too. She did a fantastic job.
Cheers!

 

[SonC]

The configuration is two lugs... which is going to make it difficult to get a strap other than the type I hate

You may find you like the two lug vertical hang. It gives a clear uncluttered right hand hold, and the longer body of the M5 seems to be more comfortable off a shoulder strap with two lugs.

There are a number of straps that will work nicely; I used a Domke but an upStrap or something like the old Nikon straps will work nicely too if you join the ends with the sliders.

Have a good time with your M5.

 

[Nokton48]

M5 is my favorite shooter, hands down. It will grow on you, it's the ultimate Wetzlar Leica. The M5 is Sherrys' favorite Leica (too) she will take care of you. Looks like it's been through it, but so has mine. I actually like that, you can cover the eyepiece with a rubber eyecup or plastic eyepiece cover from DAG, touch-up the back, etc. I prefer the Domke Gripper strap on my chrome three-lug with vertical hanging (see my avatar). When I carry two (or three) Leicas it handles like a dream. Welcome to the club.

 

[dreamsandart]

You lucky dog 😀 Although I don't have an M5 anymore - but still thinking… - they are a really fun camera. Great finder, love the meter readout, and the shutter speed dial, and it just feels nice in the hands.

Send it off to Sherry, she loves them too!, and it will come back better than new. If yours is in the beginning range, the shutter speed dial may be a bit loose, she'll take care of that, and if the finder needs cleaning it will come back the best M finder you've put an eye too.

Sherry changes the battery compartment out if it needs it (she's got parts!), if you can find the old mercury 625 they are the best and last many years. And as for my opinion… I'd keep the 2-lug set-up, its over the shoulder and across the chest and camera at the side (I've still got my one piece leather strap to go continuously through the 2 lug for my next M5), with no extra lug on the advance/shutter dial side to make a more comfortable grip for me.

Enjoy!

 

[tonys]

Congratulations Francisco,

I have 3 M5's, all in daily use. All CLA'd by Sherry.

Best M camera by a mile.

What is the serial no of yours?

Sherry says to avoid cameras below serial no 134...

 

[gliderbee]

You may find you like the two lug vertical hang. It gives a clear uncluttered right hand hold, and the longer body of the M5 seems to be more comfortable off a shoulder strap with two lugs.

There are a number of straps that will work nicely; I used a Domke but an upStrap or something like the old Nikon straps will work nicely too if you join the ends with the sliders.

Have a good time with your M5.

I carry it over my left shoulder with two lugs; that allows me to grab the lens with my left hand, raise the camera and bring my right hand to the shutter button and speeddial.
In this way, it's also easy to protect the camera with your left arm/hand while walking.

I'm using a Zhou strap; works very nice. I'll post a picture later today.

Stefan.

 

[Richard G]

I recently got one. Love it. Two lugs, hanging off the left shoulder, it sits there out of sight and so stable. I went for a walk in the rain on Saturday and it hardly got more than a few drops on it in that position. I got the Artisan & Artist custom M5 strap, suboptimally attached to the lugs, one each end. The M2 feels like a 40pt diamond by comparison.

 

[ChrisN]

Francisco - congratulations on the M5! Something to consider: when Sherry services the M5, she can convert the meter to take the easily-available 1.5 volt batter that comes in the 625 size and shape. That is a good thing. She also likes to put a stronger detent spring under the shutter speed dial. Personally I preferred mine with the standard detent spring, which is easier to change shutter speeds with. Some people might think the dial moves too easily, but I would have preferred mine left standard. Think on it! Cheers! 🙂

 

[sepiareverb]

I've got a regular Domke strap on my M5, not a continuous loop, but the straps fit fine into the M5 lugs without the rings.

 

[tonys]

I have the specially made Artisan & Artist Strap for the M5 and it works beautifully on the 2 lug M5.

As for recalibrating Sherry will tell you that if you can find some 1.35v Mercury batteries or their equivalent, that it is best to keep the meter as it was originally intended.

 

[kdemas]

One other thing Framcisco. Make sure you aren't putting any pressure ob the shutter when trying to meter. Slight pressure will cause the metering arm to move, causing wildly off readings.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Thanks a lot for all your recommendations about this camera. 🙂 I will take them into account, indeed!

I have been playing with the camera (being careful of NOT touching the shutter release after advancing the film, thanks, Kent!), and saw the wisdom of the positioning of the two lugs. I think I have to go to a camera store sometime and explore my possibilities with straps... or take a look at the Domkes in my other M bodies and estimate the situation.

This camera will go to Sherry's shop. BTW, Tony, it has a 134xxxx serial number. From what I remember, Sherry calls her customers with her personal recommendation about the camera she has received, and I know she'll call me after taking a look at it. I was thinking about asking her to recalibrate the meter, so it takes 1.5 V batteries... but now I guess I'll listen to what she suggests. BTW, the resistance in the shutter speed dial is very adequate to me, but the meter selector does seem to move a bit too easily.

Now... the little wheel in the back is, according to the manual, a handy EV index (it shows different ways to reach a particular EV, from what I understood). Is it supposed to turn? The one in my camera only has a moving part: the film type reminder (the one with the flash and daylight icons).

Of course, I'll send for one of those eyeglass protectors from Don. My M4-2 was fitted with one and looks incredibly cool (and eyeglass-friendly).

On the cosmetic front, I'm glad this one came with the small, conjoined PC plugs typical of the M5.

Again, thanks a big lot for your recommendations! 🙂 This forum is invaluable thanks to your generosity!! 🙂