M5 is home

ChrisN

ChrisN

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After a brief sojourn in the US, my M5 came home today. It looks (on the outside) pretty much the same as it was when it went away. But Sherry K has worked her magic; the viewfinder is sparkling clear (was fogged before) and the light meter gives accurate readings. I'm guessing the rest of the internals are now in fine fettle - certainly it sounds and feels good.

The timing was good, because I also received in the post a packet from DAG with two little plastic rings that snap around the metal eyepiece surround; one each for my two cameras. These are very compact, and will stop the metal scratching my glasses.

Now for some fun - it's already loaded with film and fitted with the long strap I bought from Joe. And it's funny; after handling dSLRs for a while, the M5 does not feel all that big!
 
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No kidding

No kidding

ChrisN said:
... And it's funny; after handling dSLRs for a while, the M5 does not feel all that big!
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I'll never understand in a million years why folks go off on the M5 like it was as big and awkward as one of those Canon Mammoths with the extra battery grip. For the record, standing side by side with one of my Canon VI-T bodies, the M5 is equal depth, equal height and perhaps 1/4" (for the metric inclined maybe 7mm) longer.

Enjoy your M5. Sherry breathed new life into one of mine and DAG did the same for the other. Have fun selecting 1/38, 1/79, 1/425, or whatever shutter speed you need. :D
 
Welcome home Chris. I also sent my black M5 to Sherry's country camp and when it came back it was like a new camera in an old body.
Worth the wait, and worth its weight in..well, if it was gold, I consider parting with it. But, only for gold!
 
There is something to be said for a larger camera, particularly when wearing gloves.

It has been below zero Fahrenheit here and a small camera, like my IIIf, is awkward with gloves heavy enough to keep my hands warm.

I don't imagine that is much of a problem for you in Australia.
 
Congrats & enjoy.

On the size thing, I have gone back and forth. I am on the verge of selling my M5 because although everything said above in its favor is true (and more), it just doesn't have the same feel as the other Ms currently in use (M6 and M3). I will probably regret it, but I am probably going to sell the M5 and buy an M6. :bang:
 
Magus, how do you really feel? :D

An M4-2 or M4-P would be my 2nd choice after the M5. The original M4s seem to be trés chere.
 
I've had a M4-2 and a M4-P and I were to consider a second body to a M5 I would go for a M6 or M2. The M6 is a better made, more solid camera the 4-2 or P, IMO, and having an onboard meter is key for me at least. To push this a little further, I would take two m6's over a MP any day. :)
 
And I took, er paid dearly for, a brace of M5s over all else. I also have a brace of VI-Ts which I sometimes have to ask myself, "Self, why?"

Blasphemy of all blasphemies: I put a flash in the hot shoe (find one of those on any other pre-M6 body) of an M5 last Saturday night. I then proceeded to mount several lenses, all at f-4.0, and took pictures of my friends on their screen porch in near darkness. It was fun & I am looking forward to the results. "The Maker's Mark made me do it, your Honor."

Enjoy, Chris!
 
The M2 is good. :D

After the M5, I just like the M4, for some strange reason. I'd like to try the M4-P because of the 28mm framelines, but the M4-2 might be fine for me. The M4 would (from what I've read) be preferable in other ways, but as I said, it's significantly more expensive.

I've briefly handled an M6; I didn't care for the white patch, but likely that was simply because it was different from the yellow patch that is more familiar.

Wayne: Maker's Mark made you do it? C'mon, you can do better than that. ;)
 
Nope

Nope

Trius said:
...Wayne: Maker's Mark made you do it? C'mon, you can do better than that. ;)
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It was 34° F on the screen porch. I needed the Maker's Mark and Coke for anti-freeze! Everything that happened after that was NOT MY FAULT! :rolleyes: :eek: :D

I did in fact attempt a meter reading. No go. Lightbulb: You have a flash and an unused, portable soft box. Time to put them to good use! :)

I have always wanted an M4 too. Go figure. "Not logical, Captain."
 
The M5 is just a different camera thats all. Not like there aren't any 'traditional' M's out there. I never got the uproar over this, especially since every M since has been basically the same as the M3, yeah, add a meter to some, and that funny rewind thing, or those extra frame lines, but no timer!
I've been procrastinating about selling my M5, since I like it so much. Yeah, I reach for the 7 more, but I'm still torn between the 5 and the 6 classic. I do think the 5 handles a bit better. That teeny shutter speed dial on the 3-6 classic (dare I utter it???) sucks if yer fingers are as big as these. Certainly one thing the M5 has over those that came before is the dead accurate meter (especially after Sherry has mojo'ed it) and that shutter speed dial.

All I need is a good grip for the M5 and I'd be selling the 6 in a heartbeat. Now what ever happened to that machinist??
 
I've had my M4 since it was new and first introduced. Had a M2R before that, and a IIIf. Got an old style M6 last month for a 'back up'. I 'Leica' it, but have handled an M5. I WANT ONE! They are really special.
 
venchka said:
I have always wanted an M4 too. Go figure. "Not logical, Captain."
Click to expand...

Oh Two said:
I've had my M4 since it was new and first introduced. Had a M2R before that, and a IIIf. Got an old style M6 last month for a 'back up'. I 'Leica' it, but have handled an M5. I WANT ONE! They are really special.
Click to expand...


I'm in heaven! :)

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i think M5 shares the same design philosophy with Leicaflex SL/SL2, they are big and bulky, that is the way they are, bigger lens like Noctilux and 90 Summicron and 135 Elmarit are perfect on it. I also like the leather case for M5 and SL2 the most. Put a Noctilux on other Ms, the body looks certainly under whelmed by the lens.
 
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