Leica M5... good choice?

[j.scooter]

I have been having issues with loading film in my freshly CLA’d M5. When loaded as per the diagram on the bottom plate the film would not catch, make a horrible grinding noise and the film would jump off the spool. To get the film to load I was adding 1.5 inches of film to the outside of the spool, it would double over on itself and wind on without further issue, other than getting 35 exposures out an 36 roll of film.

I spoke to Sherry K for about 20 mins latest night and she gave me two tips on loading film for the M5, I thought I would share them here in case someone else was experiencing the same issue.

First tip, she got this from a newspaper photographer, crimp 1/8 inch of the leader so that when it is loaded it hooks on the outsiflde of the spool arm thingies (my term, not hers) 🙂

Second tip, thread the film through two of the spool arm thingies not one as shown on the diagram on the bottom plate.

Tip 2.5 after loading, replacing the bottom plate, take the slack out by using the rewind lever slowly until tension is felt.

Hope that helps
James

 

[BLKRCAT]

If you are still having problems I'd be more than happy to make a video or show you how I load the M5. Never misloaded a roll.

 

[ktmrider]

Don't mean to throw stones but are you sure your M5 body is "in repair". I have only owned my M5 for two years but have never had problems with film loading with it or subsequent M4 and later models.

As much as the M2 is my favorite M I do not care for its film loading and prefer the more modern system initiated with the M4. But it was never a deal breaker.

And us old film users forget that younger folks may not know to ALWAYS take the slack out of the film canister with the rewind knob before advancing the leader to the first exposure wether Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other 35mm film body.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Summilux 35mm f/1.4 steel rim, 400-2TMY, gelatine silver print.

Erik.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Dang, Erik. Your stuff is so consistently good, I wonder what you are having for breakfast. I have read this thread all the way back to the beginning, and your images are just stunning. I suspect that you'd be able to make great pictures whether you were holding an M5 or just an old coffee can with a pin-hole.

My mechanical M's are currently, M2,M3(x2),M5, and M6 and while they are all wonderful, the M5 holds a special place. Despite its size, it fits my hands perfectly, and the viewfinder is just great. Yes, there are some lens limitations on the really wide side, but I have had great luck with mine and standard focal length lenses. But I feel like all that has been worked out in the 16 or so pages above. I am sure there was some outrage when it was issued, and the styling is certainly blockier than that of the M3 and 4. But in the hand? Oh, man.

Anyway, thanks for posting those images in the thread. Really great stuff.

Ben

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, Benjamin, I like the M5 especially for its framelines. These are very precise. They indicate the same field of view as the M2, but the negatives that the M5 produces are a tad smaller than those of the M2. Therefore there is more precision; the M2 gives a little bit more on film than the frames in de viewfinder indicate.

I think Leitz did this on purpose. The M5 was intended to make color slides, hence the light meter and the extremely precise framelines.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

I have been having issues with loading film in my freshly CLA’d M5. When loaded as per the diagram on the bottom plate the film would not catch, make a horrible grinding noise and the film would jump off the spool. To get the film to load I was adding 1.5 inches of film to the outside of the spool, it would double over on itself and wind on without further issue, other than getting 35 exposures out an 36 roll of film.

I spoke to Sherry K for about 20 mins latest night and she gave me two tips on loading film for the M5, I thought I would share them here in case someone else was experiencing the same issue.

First tip, she got this from a newspaper photographer, crimp 1/8 inch of the leader so that when it is loaded it hooks on the outsiflde of the spool arm thingies (my term, not hers) 🙂

Second tip, thread the film through two of the spool arm thingies not one as shown on the diagram on the bottom plate.

Tip 2.5 after loading, replacing the bottom plate, take the slack out by using the rewind lever slowly until tension is felt.

Hope that helps
James

Tip 2.6: I like to advance the film a little bit with the back door open, so I can watch that the film is advancing properly. I advance two or three sprocket holes while looking to see if the sprocket is engaging the holes correctly, before closing the camera. I do this with all M bodies, not just the M5.

 

[css9450]

And us old film users forget that younger folks may not know to ALWAYS take the slack out of the film canister with the rewind knob before advancing the leader to the first exposure wether Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other 35mm film body.

I too have noticed that of the hundreds of Youtube videos showing how to load film, practically none of them mention the trick of taking up slack and watching to be sure the rewind knob is turning as you advance the film. Something most of us "old timers" probably learned the hard way (in my case, in a Nikkormat where the film leader came out of the takeup spool and I shot 36 frames without advancing any film).

 

[BLKRCAT]

Tip 2.6: I like to advance the film a little bit with the back door open, so I can watch that the film is advancing properly. I advance two or three sprocket holes while looking to see if the sprocket is engaging the holes correctly, before closing the camera. I do this with all M bodies, not just the M5.

This is pretty much the ticket. I don't ever mess with slack. Just make sure that everything is engaging and close it up. Always end up with 38 or 39 frames per roll.

 

[j.scooter]

If you are still having problems I'd be more than happy to make a video or show you how I load the M5. Never misloaded a roll.

That would be great! I would like to see what it looks like on another M5.
Thanks

 

[Erik van Straten]

With the M5 you have to watch out that the rewind pendulum (in the bottomplate!) is collapsed. Otherwise the film reel will not rotate so you wonder what the hell is going on.

Erik.

 

[Huss]

I've never had an issue with any of the quick load Leicas (M4-2, M5, M7, M-A, MdA) after I learned to just follow the instructions which is to extend the leader as in the diagram on the film base plate, drop it in, close the back and replace the camera base plate. The tulip thing on the base plate is an integral part of the loading system - it all comes together only when the camera is buttoned up.
Then wind the film. You will see the rewind knob rotate indicating correct loading. As Erik has pointed out, make sure the rewind lever crank is flush i.e. not extended.

 

[DennisM]

Yeah, I'm not thinking of the battery as a problem. Heard that a C.R.I.S adapter would do the job, right?

Yes, the C.R.I.S adapter works perfectly. With a 386 SO (silver oxide) cell in the C.R.I.S. adapter, the camera thinks it is using the (no longer available) mercury cell specified for the camera. I have a C.R.I.S. adapter with a SO 386 cell in my M5 and meter readings match readings taken with other cameras as well as with hand held meters

 

[NaChase]

I love my M5. However, in terms of repairs it can be a bit challenging. I had a problem with my shutter curtain, so I sent my M5 to KEH under warranty, KEH then had to send it to Leica USA, and Leica USA had to send it to Leica Wetzlar because no one had parts. Its been three months.

 

[ktmrider]

Well, Sherry Krauter has a pretty good supply of M5 parts and it is her favorite film M. Do not call her and ask about M5's unless you have some time. Again, she is a huge fan and works magic on all Leica's but especially the M.

 

[Flat Twin]

Leica M5, 50mm Summilux v1 - TMY-2 400 @200ASA, Perceptol 1+2


River House Cafe. Frome, Somerset. by Flat Twin, on Flickr

 

[j.scooter]

M5 Voigtlander 35 1.2

 

[BLKRCAT]

been stupidly busy the last few weeks. Looks like you got the loading thing all sorted though! I'm sure the 35 1.2 looks great on the M5

 

[Takkun]

I've definitely closed the bottom plate without hooking the back into it. Oops.

Love the M5. Love the industrial design and the controls; it's convenient with the shutter dial under the release, and the rewind on the bottom is clever. I see why it offended the Leica purists, but it's really well ergonomically designed for the era.
Metering takes a bit of getting used to, but it's great having the selected shutter speed in the finder and the semi-spot.

Still just as relevant a camera as any other film M. I took it on a long trip back to the East Coast a few years ago and ended up showing the work in a solo show.

Sadly it took a bump when I wasn't looking (isn't that always the excuse?) and the RF is wildly off.

I think I got mine for the same price as you, and it had been looked over (but not serviced) by Sherry. Definitely needs it now, and the finder could use a good cleaning.

Haven't read through the whole thread, but one thing to watch out for (in addition to the battery issue) is shutter issues causing wildly inaccurate timing.

 

[j.scooter]

been stupidly busy the last few weeks. Looks like you got the loading thing all sorted though! I'm sure the 35 1.2 looks great on the M5

No worries brother.
I used one of Sherry’s recommendations of folding the film and hooking it on one of the arms, but found that getting off the arm was difficult one the roll was finished, just about tore the film. Won’t be doing that again...

The next roll I used her other recommendation of threading it through two arms instead of one as shown in the diagram. This time no issue went on smoothly.

The more I use it the more I love it. I used to drool about getting an MP and wanted to buy one for myself for a milestone birthday present. I am rethinking that. Should just buy another M5 (chrome) a 21mm and take a trip....

I love the 35 1.2 , this is the third time I bought one, but the size and finder blockage can be annoying for an every day/only lens.