Leica M5... good choice?

[Dez]

One thing about the battery: Wein cells do work well, but the waste product of a zinc/air cell is water. If the battery compartment is not well ventilated there is an increased probability of corrosion, and the centre contact in an M5 battery compartment is notorious for rotting away. I have brought two M5's back to life by replacing that contact spring. It's probably wiser to use the adapter for 1.55V silver cells.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I'll second that and a lot of Wein cells get thrown away part used because they have a very limited life and they cost...

Regards, David

 

[Nokton48]

For several years I compared by field testing/alternating the CRIS adapter and a good original working Mercury battery in my M5. I did this over a long period of time and under many many many different lighting conditions. In all cases the readings were identical so I was convinced and put any arguments to bed at that point regarding battery operation. I simply convinced myself not to worry about it. BTW the M5 has the best through the lens metering system in any camera I have ever used, that is saying a lot. It is uncanny especially in difficult lighting situations, where sunny16 is out of the question. Which to me was the whole point of putting a meter into the Leica. Man did they get it right 🙂

 

[ktmrider]

So, I posted on this thread back in 2010 that I was thinking about an M5. If you look about ten posts previous, you will see that I ordered one from Sherry on Friday. Now, as I was talking to Sherry on Friday about the M5, the shutter on one of my M2's jammed so the check is literally in the box with the M2 and hopefully both M2 and M5 will show up at the end of the week in the same box (if the M2's problem is a simple fix).

Also, I just ordered a 50f1.1 Nokton to use with the M5. It appears to me that the M5 is a great body to put large lenses on for balance. I already have a 35f1.2 which will split its time between the M9 and M5.

Am traveling to Asia again this fall. I think the M5 and a couple very fast lenses can bring home the bacon for night street stuff. For those who still use film, am I looking at a good combo using TriX at 400 or do you still find you have to use a higher ISO? The users on this thread rave about the M5. I have never handled one but suspect it will be as good as my M2's. So Asia with one film body and one FAST lens?

 

[harvester]

It appears to me that the M5 is a great body to put large lenses on for balance. I already have a 35f1.2 which will split its time between the M9 and M5.

sounds like a great set-up.
big lenses really suit the M5 IMHO.

with a hefty lens mounted the weight and proportions are approaching that of a nikon F or F2 setup for instance - but it's a lot faster and easier to use in low light. you'll find the handling a little different to your M2, it may take a few rolls to get used to the long 'throw' on the shutter release for instance, but the M5 is the one that i grab for any indoors stuff the speed and confidence with which i can set exposure and the low, muted 'clunk' of the shutter etc etc

i'm just back from 2 weeks in japan. i took my M5 with CV 35mm 2.5, canon 50mm 1.4 and a 60s elmarit 90mm 2.8

i had a rollei TLR for the lanscapey, outdoorsy sunny-16 stuff and used the M5 for the street/indoors shooting - i mainly used tri-x
pushed 2 stops.

if you're unused to pushing film or maybe don't appreciate the added contrast then i'm sure you'll find tri x at 400 to be very useful with those lenses + the weightier M5 body really does help to keep longer exposure times steady for me.

these were all developed in stock microphen or 'stood' in rodinal.

for the record i always wind on after a shot - can't break that habit ! - and i use wein cells.

fun.

regards, AP

 

[pepeguitarra]

M5 with Cron 50/2 DR

M5 with Cron 50/2 DR

I just noticed that my Summicron DR doest not fit my M5, unless I remove the little plastic bump. Any one knows if I remove it, I will have to put it back to use it on the M3? The Summaron 35/2.8 with goggles fits fine on the M5. However, the CV Color Skopar 35/2.5 seems to belong on the camera.

 

[Huss]

Am traveling to Asia again this fall. I think the M5 and a couple very fast lenses can bring home the bacon for night street stuff. For those who still use film, am I looking at a good combo using TriX at 400 or do you still find you have to use a higher ISO? The users on this thread rave about the M5. I have never handled one but suspect it will be as good as my M2's. So Asia with one film body and one FAST lens?

I use the CV 35 1.2 V2 . Perfect on this body.

Tri-X is a nice choice. In case you ever decide to use fast colour film, I highly recommend Cinestill 800. Works great for me shot at 800ISO.

 

[ktmrider]

M5 with 15 and 21?

M5 with 15 and 21?

I own both the 15 (first version) and 21f4 from Voightlander. I have just ordered an M5. I have read somewhere that both lenses can be used on the M5.

Can someone confirm this?

 

[pepeguitarra]

From the Leica M5 Instruction Manual (red)

From the Leica M5 Instruction Manual (red)

Older Interchangeable Lenses on the LEICA M5:

The Leica M5 can be used with all bayonet mount Leica lenses, although a small group described overleaf must be returned for modification. All screw mount Leica lenses can be used with the respective bayonet mount adapters. With only FOUR exceptions, all can be used with the camera's selective through-the-lens light meter.

Exceptions:

1) Collapsible Leica lenses must not be retracted into the housing; this will damage the meter cell carrier, necessitating costly repair. To prevent this, a safety strip must be applied to the lens barrel to limits its retraction. You can easily install this safety strip yourself. (there is a photo of this that seems too complicated to do! NOE). These lenses are 50mm:
Elmar f/3.5
Elmar f/2.8
Summar f/2
Summitar f/2
Summicron/f2
Elmar f/4
hector f/2.5

2) Lenses that must be returned for modification before being used with the Leica M5: Consult with your Leica dealer for the closest LEITZ service center.
a) Deep-seated wideangle lenses whose rear elements would damage the meter cell carrier. After modification of the bayonet mount, the cell carrier will remain safely within its recess. These lenses can not therefore be used with the Leica M5 light metering system, but will couple to the rangefinder.

21mm Super-Angulon f/4 in screw mount (only bayonet adapter ring #14097) must be modified, please state "for 21mm"
21mm Super-Angulon f/4, in bayonet mount
21mm Super-Angulon f/3.4 in bayonet mount. Lenses under #2473251 must be modified for M5. lenses above this # need no modification, but can also NOT be used with the light meter
28mm ELMARIT f/2.8, in bayonet mount. Lenses under #2314921 must be modified for use with the M5 rangefinder only. (Lenses above this number CAN be used for light metering as well.)

b) LEICA lenses whose removable viefinder attachments (goggles) butt against the Leica M5 front plate. Lens bayonet mounts and finder attachments must be modified:
35mm SUMMARON f/3.5
50mm SUMMICRON f/2 (DR) with near-focusing range)

After modification, both of these two lenses can be used for Leica M5 light metering.

 

[ktmrider]

I know about the Leitz lenses and the modifications. However, both the 15f4.5 and 21f4 from Voightlander came out way after (2005 vs 1971) the M5 so they are not addressed in the instructions above from Leitz. Additionally, they are not Leitz lenses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The collapsible Summicron can be collapsed safely on the M5. Equipped with the 12549 shade from the Elmar-M it makes a nice compact set.

Erik.

 

[coelacanth]

Just came in the mail.


Leica's Ugly Doll by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

I do like the look of 2-lug ones, but went with this particular 3-lug one mainly due to the fact the camera was fully CLA'd by Sherry (had "L" seal prior to her work). It turned out 3-lug was rather essential for me as I'm a lefty and MUCH prefer to have my camera on my left side when I'm not shooting (Don't ask me why. I just don't feel comfortable doing the other way around 😛). I discovered the strap gets in the way when you bring the camera up to your eye if you hang the camera vertically across your chest resting on the left side. This is a non-issue if you hang the camera on your right side or don't wear "messenger style" to your left (right shoulder).

Anyway, I love how "ugly" (read: different and special) it is. We'll see how this adventure goes for me.

 

[ktmrider]

Beautiful. Have one enroute from Sherry but really do not know what to do with 3 film bodies.

 

[Huss]

Sug, that looks freakin' great! Also nice pic of it!

 

[Huss]

Beautiful. Have one enroute from Sherry but really do not know what to do with 3 film bodies.

Get more. 3 is not enough. I mean, do you only have 3 pairs of underwear?

 

[ktmrider]

Well, besides two M2's and the upcoming M5, there is an M9 in the cabinet and somewhere around here is a R6.2 with a few lenses.

I had ordered a 50f1.1 yesterday but cancelled the order. I have never even handled an M5 so first things first. I have two weeks to return it if I do not like it. And since it appears to take all my M mount lenses including the 15 and 21, I may have enough of them at the moment.

 

[paapoopa]

Older Interchangeable Lenses on the LEICA M5:

The Leica M5 can be used with all bayonet mount Leica lenses, although a small group described overleaf must be returned for modification. All screw mount Leica lenses can be used with the respective bayonet mount adapters. With only FOUR exceptions, all can be used with the camera's selective through-the-lens light meter.

Exceptions:

1) Collapsible Leica lenses must not be retracted into the housing; this will damage the meter cell carrier, necessitating costly repair. To prevent this, a safety strip must be applied to the lens barrel to limits its retraction. You can easily install this safety strip yourself. (there is a photo of this that seems too complicated to do! NOE). These lenses are 50mm:
Elmar f/3.5
Elmar f/2.8
Summar f/2
Summitar f/2
Summicron/f2
Elmar f/4
hector f/2.5

2) Lenses that must be returned for modification before being used with the Leica M5: Consult with your Leica dealer for the closest LEITZ service center.
a) Deep-seated wideangle lenses whose rear elements would damage the meter cell carrier. After modification of the bayonet mount, the cell carrier will remain safely within its recess. These lenses can not therefore be used with the Leica M5 light metering system, but will couple to the rangefinder.

21mm Super-Angulon f/4 in screw mount (only bayonet adapter ring #14097) must be modified, please state "for 21mm"
21mm Super-Angulon f/4, in bayonet mount
21mm Super-Angulon f/3.4 in bayonet mount. Lenses under #2473251 must be modified for M5. lenses above this # need no modification, but can also NOT be used with the light meter
28mm ELMARIT f/2.8, in bayonet mount. Lenses under #2314921 must be modified for use with the M5 rangefinder only. (Lenses above this number CAN be used for light metering as well.)

b) LEICA lenses whose removable viefinder attachments (goggles) butt against the Leica M5 front plate. Lens bayonet mounts and finder attachments must be modified:
35mm SUMMARON f/3.5
50mm SUMMICRON f/2 (DR) with near-focusing range)

After modification, both of these two lenses can be used for Leica M5 light metering.

thanks for the info, i didnt know that 28mm elmarit will be an issue as well. good to know.

 

[pepeguitarra]

The collapsible Summicron can be collapsed safely on the M5. Equipped with the 12549 shade from the Elmar-M it makes a nice compact set.

Erik.

Are you sure the Cron 50/2 collapsible can collapse safely on the M5? I just want to be sure before I put it on.
Thanks,

 

[nikonosguy]

Are you sure the Cron 50/2 collapsible can collapse safely on the M5? I just want to be sure before I put it on.
Thanks,

absolutely

 

[pepeguitarra]

I own it but it does not seem to protrude as much as my leica 21/2.8. I want to be sure before I put it on.