Leica M5 -- Basic, Basic Answers Please

[julianphotoart]

I would like to buy an M5 that I checked out today. I like the eccentricity of the look. I would appreciate anyone who takes the time to answer some really basic questions.

1. I couldn't get either of 2 M lenses to fully mount. Something stopped them before they clicked into place. I couldn't figure out what. There is a little bullet-shaped doo-hickey at the bottom of the lens mount that could be interfering. Am I missing something? The guy in the store didn't know anything.
2. On the shutter-speed dial the time between 1 sec. and 30 sec. moves without stops and seems to not work; instead there's a "B" setting that works as such no matter where the dial is placed between 1 sec. and 30 sec.
3. The meter display inside the viewfinder shows one angled needle that moves right-left with the shutter speed dial, and another differently angled needle that moves right-left depending on the light. Is the proper exposure the one where the two angled needles intersect or somewhere else?
4. Is the meter cell in the little slim plastic window above the viewfinder?
5. This is a 2-lug model with serial number 134xxxx. Any problems in particular with that part of the run?

Thanks.

Julian

 

[Matthew Runkel]

1. Odd. Could be a maintenance issue. The camera's meter is mounted on an articulated "semaphore arm" that extends between the lens and the shutter when a lens is mounted and the shutter is cocked. When you depress the shutter button, the metering arm flips out of the way before the shutter trips. Certain older wide-angle lenses project far enough into the body cavity that they will damage the metering arm, but you should still be able to physically mount these lenses if the shutter is not cocked. For the protection of the delictate metering arm, it never extends unless a lens is mounted. I think the bullet-shaped doo-hickey is what lets the metering arm "know" whether a lens is mounted.

2. This is normal operation. I think the theory is that the metering will reflect the times indicated, but you must time exposures longer than 1/2 second yourself using "B".

3. Correct. For each lens for which the M5 has framelines, the metering area is indicated by the next smallest marked area inside the framelines. See the manual for these and other details.

4. That is the illumination window for the meter display in the viewfinder. The meter cell is on the arm that moves behind the lens.

5. This is in the range of "good" serial numbers, according to Sherry Krauter. See this thread.

It's a great camera and I doubt you'll regret getting one. You may want to research the battery issue a little. It uses an unavailable mercury cell, but there are workarounds.

Matt

 

[MCTuomey]

Julian, although I don't have an M5, the problem you describe when trying to mount a lens may simply be tight tolerance. My M4's mount seems tight for a couple of my lenses. A firm twist will lock the lens in place. By "firm" I don't mean twist for all you're worth, but just a healthy turn of the lens tube after aligning the dots. The last few mm are the tightest, then I hear/feel the click.

Btw, I admire the funky look of the M5 myself. And the meter w/needles is less intrusive than the LED read-out of the later M-bodies. Hope it works out for you,

 

[ERV]

1. I have two m5's and my 50mm elmar-m will not fully engage on one.
It rotates but will not click. It does work on the m5 that had a full CLA. I think its a mechanical/ maintenance issue. Perhaps the camera has been sitting for a while, as mine was.
2. normal
3. correct, as Matt stated. intersect the floating aperture needle with the shutter speed needle.
shutter speeds are easy to change while looking through viewfinder because of the oversize dial and the speeds displayed in the viewfinder.
3. correct as Matt stated.
4. I have a 3 lug 135xx series and a 2 lug 134 series. They are fine.
I think some of the original 129xx runs had a loose shutter speed dial.

Although you will find a wide range of opinions on the m5, I really like mine.
There are a number of threads here and on photo.net about them.
another idea if you're not sure; KEH has had two for sale for a while now.
You could buy one, try it out and return it if you don't like it.
-eugene

 

[julianphotoart]

Thank you all. Now things make sense. When handling it, I kind of liked the features, especially the clarity and simplicity of the view inside the viewfinder with respect to the metering and shutter speeds showing. Much easier to see than the ZI's read-outs, and more intuitive than the M7 read-outs. I'd like to go for it.

 

[wtl]

wait, for #2, if i understand correctly, it seems to be the shutter hang-up which requires CLA. are you saying that, no matter where you place your speed dail between 1 - 1/30, the shutter acts like it is on "B", meaning that shutter curtain will open and stay open until you change the speed? If that's the case, then it is the typical old mechanical shutter problem from either excessive use or lack of use that needs service.

If i misunderstood, sorry.

 

[bob cole]

This is a 2-lug model ... Any problems in particular with that part of the run?
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Julian, although I have never owned an M-5, you probably know that the two-lug M-5 means that the camera strap is mounted along the side of the camera --like a Leica CL -- and if you carry it around your neck it will hang down vertically rather than in the traditional horizontal manner...That's why Leica added a third lug, so it could be carried in the traditional way... regards, bob

 

[ERV]

This is a 2-lug model ... Any problems in particular with that part of the run?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julian, although I have never owned an M-5, you probably know that the two-lug M-5 means that the camera strap is mounted along the side of the camera --like a Leica CL -- and if you carry it around your neck it will hang down vertically rather than in the traditional horizontal manner...That's why Leica added a third lug, so it could be carried in the traditional way... regards, bob

Good point.
My 2 lug is having the battery upgraded and a 3rd lug installed because I didn't like the 2 lug setup.

 

[bob cole]

The only problem with an aftermarket installation of the third lug --as I'm sure you know -- is that the lug has to be welded [if that's the word] onto the camera body and, obviously, has to be repainted [or whatever they do to refinish]...and that has to be a major job...regards, bob cole

 

[Matthew Runkel]

wtl,

It's not between 1 sec and 1/30 sec--which would indeed be a problem--it's between 1 sec and 30 sec.

 

[ERV]

I don't think the lug is welded on.
If I'm not mistaken I think they are riveted or screwed on to the body after it's disassembled.
I think it's held on by two screws that are covered up by the small piece of vulcanite below the lug. DAG is doing it.