Leica M5... good choice?

Let's see . . . Compared to my M6 or MP? I like that the M5 has more accurately sized framelines for normal (not closeup) distances. Especially true of the 50mm frameline. The OP mentioned street photography, and might want to use a 50mm. THe M5 framelines are accurate to the same extent as those of the M2, M3, and M4. The M6 framelines are set for the minimum 0.7M distance, which makes them too small at any distance greater than the minimum 0.7M.

And the M5 meter is a semi-spot meter, which can be great when you need to pick up a reading without interference from a nearby area that is too light or too dark. Outside of that, the M6 meter is really quite decent and does permit some selective-area reading as well.

The accuracy of the M5 shutter speed mechanism is improved over earlier models. Leitz explained the missing 1 second shutter time by saying they had to leave it off in order to improve the accuracy of the other speeds.

The M5 still has the hard metal eyepiece guaranteed to scratch your expensive eyeglasses. If you wear glasses, and want to use a 35mm lens, get an M6 with 0.58 finder. And if you want to use a 28mm, I suggest an M6, again with 0.58 finder. I know, some people can use the M5 with a 28mm. I am not among them. By the way, the M6 28mm frameline is very accurate at the medium to long distances at which I shoot.

Batteries? Use either a Wein air cell, or a cris adapter; or get Sherry to recalibrate the meter for use with alkaline cells. She will send you a couple alkalines with the camera if you choose than option. I went that route when she recalibrated my MR-4 meter. With my M5, I use the Weins or the cris, which reduces a regular silver oxide 1.5V cell down to the 1.35 volts of the old mercury batteries.

Oh, the camera is too heavy? It is heavier. Whether too heavy, well, that is a judgement call. Remember, extra weight is extra stability.

I can't wrap this up without mentioning the shutter speed dial that falls right under your fingertip. You can quickly set the shutter speed without moving your trigger finger more than 1/2 inch from the shutter release button. I know one Frenchman who won't use anything but an M5 for that reason.

So there's your fair and balanced review.
 
I fully agree with the above. Thank you, Rob-F for this write up. For the battery, I simply use the MR9 adapter and the Duracell Watch 386/301. Works perfect.

The framelines of the M5 are just incredible.

Leica M5, Summilux 35mm f/1.4 pre asph v1, Tmax400.

Erik.

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ERV said:
I'd like to add to this M5 lovefest.
I also have two and they are the easiest M to use for street shooting because everything is seen in the viewfinder, meter (which I like; I also have have non-metered M's) and shutter speed. Its also great to be able to rotate that big ole shutter speed dial while looking through the finder.
I also like the oversize body because there is more to grip on to. It doesn't look like a Leica, so people don't notice it as much. They just see a big black brick. The ratched re-wind crank on the bottom plate is a work of art.
I've also been following that M5 28 lens thread, since I recently got a Zeiss 28 and have been using the whole finder with great results.
Heck, I may just have to get me another one of them m5's..
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second the above, I added a M5 after my M6, agree on all the above & I would add that I love the spot meter which I use 75% of the time on my only digital; x100, compare the two in your hands m5 vs m6 in a used camera store if you can or need to…. good luck
 
gnome chompski said:
Erik van Straten what scanner you are using, and what negative holder that allows you to scan the very edge of the film?
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I use the Epson V600 Photo. When I got it I trew away immediatly those silly toy-like negative holders that came with it. I simply put the negative on the glass plate and cover it with a piece of anti newton glass.

Erik.
 
So... I had a bunch of friends over for my birthday this weekend and after a few beers and a few glasses of wine, I somehow found myself on eBay.

Turns out alcohol completely removes any hesitation to BID NOW. Whoops.

The result is a single-owner, later-serial, three-lug black-chrome M5 in the mail, on it's way to me now. Happy Birthday to me I suppose!

(Note: I'm actually looking forward to using this camera alongside my MP, I'm planning on mostly using it for my 90mm Summicron so I can leave the 35 Summicron on my MP)
 
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