Leica M5... good choice?

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this ad about nails it,

to my eye, the only Leicas I prefer in 'chrome' over black are the M4-P and the M5.
 
maitani said:
to my eye, the only Leicas I prefer in 'chrome' over black are the M4-P and the M5.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree, exept for a prototype in black paint that exists somewhere.

Esthetically I prefer the two-lug.

By the way, the camera in this ad is also a prototype. You can tell by the chrome strap lugs. Normally they are black. The rectangular eyepiece is also unusual. Normally it is round with cut-off top and bottom. The illustrated camera has a chrome ring around the release button, on the production model it was black; the same is true for the ring on the battery compartment.

The M5 had a long development history. Around 1960 designs for a Leica M with built-in exposure meter were made. When the M3 and M2 began to look old fashioned, Leitz introduced the M4 (1967) while the M5 was already underway (then called M4). It would however take another four years before the M5 went into production.

Erik.
 
The M5 is an excellent camera, according to my phone conversation with Sherry Krater today. If you do decide to buy one, according to Sherry, look for serial numbers 134xxx+ because the earlier ones have weak constructions. The roller would break and the repair is uneconomical.
 
geetist said:
The M5 is an excellent camera, according to my phone conversation with Sherry Krater today. If you do decide to buy one, according to Sherry, look for serial numbers 134xxx+ because the earlier ones have weak constructions. The roller would break and the repair is uneconomical.
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Sherry always tells this, but my repairman in the Netherlands, Ton Scherpenborg from Nijmegen - from the same generation as Sherry Krater and at least as experienced - says this is a myth. Rollers do not break. Anyone ever experienced a broken roller in a Leica?

Erik.
 
Erik, Helen and others,

Looks like I am joining the gang. After owning most of standard production Leica Ms over the years, an M5 in silver chrome CLA'd by Sherry, 1.5v battery conversion by Don will be coming to me next week.

Let us see how this goes...
 
You are all giving me some GAS. My local shop just got in an M5 to tempt me. They want $800 but I want to ask anyone's advice about what to look for. The battery has some foil in there to make it workable but I believe they said the meter was off. No problem, since you can readjust the ISO to however many stops it's off, no?
The finder is a bit dim, but I know I can get a CLA. Some spots on the curtain but it seems tight and works well. Is this a decent price and any suggestions about it would be much appreciated. I love the concept of this M.
Thanks to all in advance.
Warren
 
The most important part is the lightmeter. If the lightmeter doesn't work, you only have a big M4.

There is no need to adapt the meter for 1.5v batteries. The MR-9 adapter and a Duracell 386/301 work great on an unadapted meter of 1.35v. Mine are now in the camera for 1,5 year and still work fine. There is no on/off switch on the camera. Now I know why: unnecessary. Just put the lens cap on to put the meter off.

The meter cell is only there when the camera is tensioned. You can see it when you look through the lens from the front.

In the viewfinder you see tiny marks that indicate the meter area. Some people call it a spotmeter, but it is a spotmeter with a big spot.

When you press the release button, you push the cell away by manpower. This needs a bit to get used to. A softie on the release button helps a bit. Only when you push through, the shutter fires. You should make your measurements without touching the release button. It becomes a second nature rather quick.

Erik.
 
The MR-9 is an adapter which allows the use of silver oxide batteries instead of the no longer available mercury battery the M5 was designed to use.
 
There is a battery check: push the frame selector switch all the way to the left when looking through the camera. On the right of the readout bar in the viewfinder there is a small jut. That is the place where the needle should be when you do the battery check. If not something is wrong.

Erik.
 
madNbad said:
The MR-9 is an adapter which allows the use of silver oxide batteries instead of the no longer available mercury battery the M5 was designed to use.
Click to expand...

Where can I get the MR-9. My camera is coming with the old batteries, Hg., ones.

Never mind, I have one of those adapters. It came with one of the MR4 meters. The seller called it the ring. He said, keep the ring and use it once you get the battery. Live and learn.
 
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