Just ordered the M5 from KEH

[colyn]

I've never used the M5 and since I sold one of my M2's thought I'd use the money for the M5. 🙂 🙄 😎

I ordered the black M5 2 lug. 😛 😛 😛

M5 users what is your impression of this model?

 

[venchka]

I have both

I have both

You will like it! Small world. I saw several M5s at KEH just yesterday. I am surprised that they are completely out of 35mm Summicrons & Summiluxs. I can whole heartedly endorse the 50mm Dual Range Summicron for the M5. An amazing lens.

I own a 2 lug with a 3rd lug added by Sherry Krauter. I also own the later model with the 3rd lug added during construction. No difference at all.

The major change that Leitz made was in the shutter speed dial "stops". The early version had ratther soft stops. This "problem" was rectified in the later 3 lug version. Sherry Krauter can perform this change if you deem it neccessary.

Wein cell zinc-air batteries work just fine. I've checked their voltage against the mercury button cell batteries and they both match. Naturally, if you can find the PX625 mercury batteries, they work best and last the longest. Leave the camera uncocked when not in use to prolong battery life.

Fabulous camera. Fantastic flare free viewfinder. Solid as Gibralter. Almost as large if you believe urban legends. 😱

Use it a lot! Shoot Kodachrome! Oh my goodness. You will have the Canon 50mm 1:0.95 lens on the M5. I am TOTALLY envious! 😱 😉 🙂 Here's a preview.

Enjoy!

 

[sepiareverb]

What's not to love about the M5?

1) Solid as can be
2) Best meter display of any M- shutter speed shown in the VF!
3) Spot metering of a sort
4) Bottom mounted rewind knob doesn't catch strap
5) Shutter speed dial can be adjusted without flapping of arms while looking through the viewfinder
6) Cool 70's design looks like no other camera

I know I'm asking for it here, but I love my M5.

Ever notice it was the odd numbered M's that were revolutionary? (till that pesky M8 came along to spoil my theory)

 

[colyn]

You will like it! Small world. I saw several M5s at KEH just yesterday. I am surprised that they are completely out of 35mm Summicrons & Summiluxs. I can whole heartedly endorse the 50mm Dual Range Summicron for the M5. An amazing lens.

I ended up tossing a coin to determine whether to get the 2 or 3 lug version which were both priced the same.

I have both the rigid and DR Summicron lens and love both

Wein cell zinc-air batteries work just fine. I've checked their voltage against the mercury button cell batteries and they both match. Naturally, if you can find the PX625 mercury batteries, they work best and last the longest. Leave the camera uncocked when not in use to prolong battery life.

I built a couple of battery adapters which allow me to use 357 silver oxide cells in my mercury powered cameras/meters. I have one in my MR meter and the readings are dead on. I'll be trying one in the M5.

Use it a lot! Shoot Kodachrome! Oh my goodness. You will have the Canon 50mm 1:0.95 lens on the M5. I am TOTALLY envious! 😱 😉 🙂 Here's a preview.

Enjoy!

I'll be shooting it a lot..

I should have the Canon lens back in the next few weeks but was wondering how since it covers the lens release button do you remove the lens?? 😕

 

[Santafecino]

My M5 is my workhorse. You might consider a 1.25x magnifier on the finder--makes the 50mm view as big as an M3--well, almost.

 

[colyn]

My M5 is my workhorse. You might consider a 1.25x magnifier on the finder--makes the 50mm view as big as an M3--well, almost.

What is the actual mag of the M5 viewfinder? .072??

 

[JNewell]

Yes, 0.72x.

I've had bad luck with hearing aid cells in adapter rings - mostly their voltage is up around 1.45v or more and the meters don't read correctly. For some reason - maybe fewer air holes? - the Wein cells work fine.

IIRC, the break point in the serial numbers for ensuring avoidance of the shutter drum problem is 1,354,xxx?

 

[colyn]

Yes, 0.72x.

I've had bad luck with hearing aid cells in adapter rings - mostly their voltage is up around 1.45v or more and the meters don't read correctly. For some reason - maybe fewer air holes? - the Wein cells work fine.

I use the 357 silver oxide cell. I've never been fond of the zinc air cells in part because of their short lifespan.

The silver cell used with a schottky diode has a nearly identical voltage curve to the original mercury cell.

 

[rogerchristian]

Seeing the Canon 0.95 on a body brings back memories of seeing the ads in Modern and Pop Photo. I have seen exactly ONE of the .95's in real life. Customer sold one to KEH when they were at the store clearingour used stock, it was on a Canon 7 body as I remember, barely used. What hunk of glass. Weighed a ton. But, what a piece of glass.

 

[colyn]

Seeing the Canon 0.95 on a body brings back memories of seeing the ads in Modern and Pop Photo. I have seen exactly ONE of the .95's in real life. Customer sold one to KEH when they were at the store clearingour used stock, it was on a Canon 7 body as I remember, barely used. What hunk of glass. Weighed a ton. But, what a piece of glass.

I can't wait to get mine back from Ken Ruth and try it out on my M's. I picked it up at a local flea market for $5

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I am curious about Colyn's question. How do you remove the lens from any Leica M camera? It does cover the lens release button, so... either the lens has a bit of room to push the release or you just forget about it.

Congratulations on your M5 too! 🙂

 

[JNewell]

My mistake, I was thinking of the "dumb" rings for ZA cells, not the adapters with the diode.

I use the 357 silver oxide cell. I've never been fond of the zinc air cells in part because of their short lifespan.

The silver cell used with a schottky diode has a nearly identical voltage curve to the original mercury cell.

 

[ChrisN]

You'll love it. Here's mine.

 

[sepiareverb]

You'll love it. Here's mine.

Chris- check out my recent post on the 'Let' see your Leica M' thread- looks familiar!!

 

[venchka]

No way

No way

I can't wait to get mine back from Ken Ruth and try it out on my M's. I picked it up at a local flea market for $5

Oh good grief. We didn't need to hear that. I've started frequenting flea markets, etc. with the same hopes. So far all I've found are old Polaroids, flimsy tripods & unused cheapo 35mm cameras. You're the second person I know of in Texas to stumble upon deals like this in the last year. Where's mine? 😀

As for the lens release, if you GOOGLE the R-D1 & Canon 50/0.95 article on the web, the gentleman shows the lens and body. As I recall, the original "wings" were left on and used to press against the lens release. The photos show it better than telling about it.

 

[sepiareverb]

... I've started frequenting flea markets, etc. with the same hopes. So far all I've found are old Polaroids, flimsy tripods & unused cheapo 35mm cameras. You're the second person I know of in Texas to stumble upon deals like this in the last year. Where's mine? 😀 ....

I have your luck too nowadays. I guess I got my deal of a lifetime a few years back finding a 168mm Dagor that covers 810 in a box of 'Camera Junk' at a yard sale. My colleague here got a beautiful little Rollei for $5 at a yard sale. I only see Bugs Bunny cameras or Kodak 126 models anymore. Grrr.

Have dreams of finding a Black M3 in box at some yard sale.

 

[venchka]

Not too picky

Not too picky

...Have dreams of finding a Black M3 in box at some yard sale.

M 3-4-5, I wouldn't care. A Linhof Technica IV 3 lens set for $25 would be fine too. 🙂

 

[colyn]

Oh good grief. We didn't need to hear that. I've started frequenting flea markets, etc. with the same hopes. So far all I've found are old Polaroids, flimsy tripods & unused cheapo 35mm cameras. You're the second person I know of in Texas to stumble upon deals like this in the last year. Where's mine? 😀

Here in Fort Worth we have several flea markets. In addition there is trade days in Weatherford and Canton which are once a month markets. Then there is Traders Village. So I have several chances of finding something good.

The lens was in a box marked $5 so needless to say I traded a Lincoln for it.😎 😎

A friend of mine beat me to a fully working Speed Graphic kit for $65 a couple of weeks ago at the barn market. The sorry dog even beat me to a R4 with f/1.4 Summilux and 70-200mm Vario-Elmar for $150 at an estate sale..🙁 🙁 🙁

As for the lens release, if you GOOGLE the R-D1 & Canon 50/0.95 article on the web, the gentleman shows the lens and body. As I recall, the original "wings" were left on and used to press against the lens release. The photos show it better than telling about it.

I found the article but it didn't say how but the lens did have the wings still attached.

 

[colyn]

My mistake, I was thinking of the "dumb" rings for ZA cells, not the adapters with the diode.

I tried them all including the Wein cells and while the Wein cells did give me accurate results the cost was a bit too much to justify for the short life.

The C.R.I.S. cells fail terribly in the hot Texas heat but the schottky diode fix worked even when the temp. was over 100 degrees.

 

[venchka]

How much would you charge to build me some of those adapters? I have 2 M5s and a Gossen Luna-Pro that require PX625 mercury cells or equal. Fortunately my Canon EF runs just fine on the alkaline replacement PX625s.