Leica M5... good choice?

[oldwino]

So, I've been on the lookout for a good original M5 for a while, partly as a response to this thread but also as the camera has intrigued me for a long time. Most of the examples that I looked at seemed to have had their finders changed for the M4-P/M6 type finder with all those framelines which was a no go for me as I wanted an original M5 finder. I think I looked at six that had the later finder! Why would this be? Are M5 finders prone to deteriorate?! Anyway, so far I'm hooked on it! It's such a quick and intuitive camera to use...


Leica M5 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

Regards,

Simon

Look for one with a M4 finder installed. Those were the best VFs Leica ever made, in my opinion.

 

[Flat Twin]

Well, the original M5 finder is basically an M4 finder with the same frame-line set. It does though have the added advantage of very cleverly showing the metering area for the given lens in use. This feature, to me at least, meant that any M5 that I was considering had to have an original M5 finder...

 

[571514m3]

Well, the original M5 finder is basically an M4 finder with the same frame-line set. It does though have the added advantage of very cleverly showing the metering area for the given lens in use. This feature, to me at least, meant that any M5 that I was considering had to have an original M5 finder...

You have a beautiful camera, with a great lens. The M5 is a brilliant design.

Do try taking some portraits with an Elmar 9cm f4 lens if you have a chance. It will feel and seem odd at first but the combination really works well, and that lens is amazing for what they cost. Same goes for the goggled Summaron 35.

Congratulations!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[pschauss]

Add me to the list of new M5 owners. I saw one on ebay for $446 "buy it now or best offer" and offered $390. Since seller said that the light meter did not word and describe it as "very rough" in appearance I was expecting that I would have to send it off for repairs. The only thing it needed was an adjustment to the rangefinder.

I ran a role of Double-X through it and the negatives look good.

For now, I am using it with a Jupiter 8 and a Jupiter 9.

When I first took it out of the box I was a bit shocked at the size and weight of this camera since I am accustomed to using Barnacks, but the brightness of the viewfinder/rangefinder, the automatic frame lines, and parallax compensation are a major convenience. I took a couple of pictures with the Jupiter 9 in portrait mode and the image came out centered exactly as I had framed it in the viewfinder. That almost never happens when I shoot with my IIIf.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I took a couple of pictures with the Jupiter 9 in portrait mode and the image came out centered exactly as I had framed it in the viewfinder. That almost never happens when I shoot with my IIIf.

Yes, the M5 has the most precise framelines of all the M-Leicas. Leitz achieved this by making the mask for the image on film smaller.
The M5 was intended for making color slides. Hence the lightmeter and the very precise framelines. The M5 was also intended as competitor to the Nikons F1 and F2. These were the first 35mm cameras - together with the Canon F1 - with 100% accurate viewfinders.

Erik.

 

[Flat Twin]

Leica M5, 50mm Summilux V2
TMY-2 400


Leica M5 - 50mm Summilux V2 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[Huss]

So, I've been on the lookout for a good original M5 for a while, partly as a response to this thread but also as the camera has intrigued me for a long time. Most of the examples that I looked at seemed to have had their finders changed for the M4-P/M6 type finder with all those framelines which was a no go for me as I wanted an original M5 finder. I think I looked at six that had the later finder! Why would this be? Are M5 finders prone to deteriorate?! Anyway, so far I'm hooked on it! It's such a quick and intuitive camera to use...


Leica M5 by Flat Twin, on Flickr

Regards,

Simon

With mine the rf patch delaminated and so the whole apparatus was replaced. I actually preferred the original frames but it was replaced with those that include the 28mm ones. Guess none of the originals remain.
It seems that this is commonplace, but once fixed you are good to go.
As this repair is very expensive, I would actually look for one that has been updated just so you don't have to go through that expense if/when it happens.

It really is a fantastic camera, and I enjoy it even more because it is separate from the Leica herd.

 

[Flat Twin]

Leica M5, 50mm Summilux V2
TMY-2 400


Brexit Ow! by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Flat Twin]

With mine the rf patch delaminated and so the whole apparatus was replaced. I actually preferred the original frames but it was replaced with those that include the 28mm ones. Guess none of the originals remain.
It seems that this is commonplace, but once fixed you are good to go.
As this repair is very expensive, I would actually look for one that has been updated just so you don't have to go through that expense if/when it happens.

It really is a fantastic camera, and I enjoy it even more because it is separate from the Leica herd.

Interesting about your delamination issue. How did it manifest itself, or what did the issue look like when it was happening? I must ask Malcolm Taylor for his two pennies worth when I see him next. I like your comment about it being separate from the Leica herd, I think that is what attracts me also and apart from that, it really is an excellent camera.

Regards

Simon
__________________

 

[pschauss]

Just to add to my previous post about my "new" M5 - After running several rolls of film through this camera, I put a 675 zinc-air hearing aid battery in it and discovered that the light meter DOES work. Readings agree pretty well with my VC Meter after adjusting for the fact that the M5 meter is a spot meter.

The 675 cell is a rather loose fit in the battery compartment but it works without adding an o-ring or aluminum foil.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Just to add to my previous post about my "new" M5 - After running several rolls of film through this camera, I put a 675 zinc-air hearing aid battery in it and discovered that the light meter DOES work. Readings agree pretty well with my VC Meter after adjusting for the fact that the M5 meter is a spot meter.

The 675 cell is a rather loose fit in the battery compartment but it works without adding an o-ring or aluminum foil.

Congrats! Such a fine camera.

I advise to use an MR-9 adapter and a Duracell Silver Oxide 386/301 battery. The zinc-air battery can cause damage (oxydation) and is exhausted very quick. The Duracell will work for several years and the MR-9 adapter will last a lifetime.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Summilux 35mm f/1.4, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[BLKRCAT]

Great tones and interesting composition as always erik

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, BLKRCAT.

Erik.

 

[Huss]

Leica M5, Summilux 35mm f/1.4, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

Love the 'heaviness' in the sky. Excellent as always.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Huss.

Erik.

 

[A.S.]

Yes, the M5 has the most precise framelines of all the M-Leicas. Leitz achieved this by making the mask for the image on film smaller.

Hello. Do you mean that the framelines are comparable in thickness to M6s and later, but still optimized for 1 meter like Ms made before the late M4-Ps?

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hello. Do you mean that the framelines are comparable in thickness to M6s and later, but still optimized for 1 meter like Ms made before the late M4-Ps?

No, it has nothing to do with the thickness of the framelines, but with the fact that the framelines in the viewfinder indicate a field that is closer in format to the field that is registered on film. The film gate of the M5 is smaller than the others. That makes all the difference.

You can see the effect on my pictures. All photos have the same magnification factor, but the white field around the pictures with the M5 is thicker than on the others.

(For clarity I've put a picture with the Leica I under the picture with the M5 above.)

Erik.