Infamous M5. Have you noticed...

[Ororaro]

Have you noticed that all M5s for sale (here, eBay or anywhere else) always either need to be overhauled or have been overhauled? I never seen regarding M2, M3 and M4s.

What's the problem?

 

[venchka]

They all need it sooner or later

They all need it sooner or later

Some early M5s have been brought up to later specs. Leica made a fix or two during production and early cameras got the fix somewhere along the way. I don't think that the M5 has anything "WRONG" with it.

Any 30-40-50 year old camera can benefit from a CLA.

 

[cmogi10]

Has anyone noticed how Leica M5 owners constantly have to be defending there camera's.
Because they really are the best leica 😉

 

[JNewell]

There is nothing* about the M5 that makes it more or less subject to needing a CLA than any other M.

* Like the SL, SL2 and CL, it has the mercury battery issue, which has a variety of solutions.

 

[JNewell]

Has anyone noticed how Leica M5 owners constantly have to be defending there camera's.
Because they really are the best leica 😉

Maybe it's because the decision to introduce the M5 almost killed Leitz, and the cameras sat on shelves for years?

It is interesting (a little) to look at the reaction to the M5 and then compare the lack of reaction when the classic M body was altered for the M6TTL/M7 and then further for the M8. Granted, the differences are less dramatic, but they are there.

 

[thomasw_]

the big upgrade is getting the battery converted. it is not anything is broken, but rather mercury batteries are not readily available, so the conversion is necessary.

 

[RayPA]

Doesn't the M5 use a mercury battery, which requires a conversion, which could be done along with a CLA? Just guessing here.

.

edit: you just beat me in thomas!

 

[ferider]

In addition to the battery, I would assume that the meter cell needs
checking/replacement/recalibration after xxx years, just like for the CL.

Old M6 meters need that too, in my experience.

Roland.

 

[venchka]

Educating the Masses

Educating the Masses

Has anyone noticed how Leica M5 owners constantly have to be defending there camera's.
Because they really are the best leica 😉

Call it educational. No defense required.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Doesn't the M5 use a mercury battery, which requires a conversion, which could be done along with a CLA? Just guessing here.

You're correct. My M5 is in for a CLA and the conversion is being done on it.



As for the original question, well let's just say M5s tend to be owned by real photographers, those who use their cameras and use them hard. M5 owners don't mollycoddle their M5s like they would an M3 or M6. They drive their M5s like tanks in battle. Ergo the need for the occasional overhaul.

 

[Ororaro]

You're correct. My M5 is in for a CLA and the conversion is being done on it.



As for the original question, well let's just say M5s tend to be owned by real photographers, those who use their cameras and use them hard. M5 owners don't mollycoddle their M5s like they would an M3 or M6. They drive their M5s like tanks in battle. Ergo the need for the occasional overhaul.

Is this true? I guess I need an M5 in order to be accomplished.
Do I get a free ticket to Afghanistan with each M5 purchase? 🙂

 

[J J Kapsberger]

I forgot to point out that Chuck Norris uses an M5. It's the only camera that can withstand his roundhouse kick.

 

[Ororaro]

I forgot to point out that Chuck Norris uses an M5. It's the only camera that can withstand his roundhouse kick.

Cool link.......

 

[sepiareverb]

The M5 is the Mac of the Leica set. Superior in usability and derided for that. 😀

(I've just had another (4th) round of "that's what you get for using a Mac" from the IT dept the other day after they managed to delete all my email since 2003 from their server and my machine. It was apparently my fault)

 

[rxmd]

Anecdotal evidence to the rescue. I bought my M5 off eBay, and neither had it been overhauled, nor does it need to be. 🙂

 

[cpborello]

I bought my M5 and it did not need to be overhauled. However, I wanted to have the meter calibrated to the non-mercury type batteries. I figured while I was at it, I might as well get a CLA, so I did.

 

[Tuolumne]

You can buy a Wein Zinc/Air battery at Samy's Camera that will replace the mercury battery without any adjustments to the M5 circuitry. Find it here:
http://www.samys.com/product_detail.php?item=8773

/T

 

[RayPA]

The M5 is the Mac of the Leica set.
...

hmm...I think the M5 is lacking a bit in the style/looks department for that to be accurate. 😉 🙄

.

 

[sepiareverb]

You can buy a Wein Zinc/Air battery at Samy's Camera that will replace the mercury battery without any adjustments to the M5 circuitry.

I found battery life with the Wein cells to be pitifully short for what they cost. I just got nearly a year out of my $2.95 alkaline.

hmm...I think the M5 is lacking a bit in the style/looks department for that to be accurate. 😉 🙄
.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Ray. Perhaps it's my age, but I do find the M5 handsome enough. Like a '72 corvette (well, almost) 🙄

 

[Tuolumne]

$2.95/year? C'mon! I waste that about every hour. No prob here. But thanks for letting me know how much longer the battery will work. It's just now getting close to 9 months.

/T