Leica M5... good choice?

Sorry to be back late for the battery questions... yes, the C.R.I.S. adapter works well from everything I've heard, and my OM tech recommends them for those who don't want to modify the cameras.

Other solutions are: Zinc-air hearing aid batteries with o-ring or other spacer. The advantage is the batteries are very cheap and available, even though the life is much shorter than mercury or silver.

Wein zinc-air cells; same as above but the form factor is the same as the mercury cells, so no spacers needed.

Modification of the circuit with diodes to reduce silver cells to the expected 1.35v of the mercury cells. This is what my Olympus tech does with every CLA on the older bodies that take mercury cells. In addition to being the ultimate solution, it means I don't have to have more than one battery type. Getting ALL my old cameras modified would be expensive though since a good CLA is not cheap.
 
Oh, and if I had the opportunity to buy an M5, I would go for it. The only other Leica I would crave is an M4 and/or an M4-P.
 
I know that I'm late to the discussion, but I'm the guy who sold a pair of M6's and kept the M5. IMHO it's the best user M.
 
I just bought an M5 in really nice condition for $710. I wanted the M6, but I guess I'll just have to live with this beautiful and robust Leica M5 for awhile. I'm buying me some nice lenses with the money I saved!

Happy!
 
Leica Geek said:
I just bought an M5 in really nice condition for $710. I wanted the M6, but I guess I'll just have to live with this beautiful and robust Leica M5 for awhile. I'm buying me some nice lenses with the money I saved!

Happy!
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I'm envious. I paid more for my twins. Subtracting out DAG & Sherry K's bills for the cameras brings the price down to that neighborhood. An M5 under $1k is a DEAL!

Trius: Got yours yet? :D :cool:
 
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..
 
ERV said:
...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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Amen to the rewind lever & the whole bottom plate. Hell for stout and layed out perfectly.

M5+28 is a match made in heaven! :angel:
 
Well, in the end, car repairs din't allow me to buy this M5.
My Bessa will do for now, but when I buy a Leica, I'm pretty sure it will be a M5.
Thanks for all the info guys.
 
Persevere! I waited since the original introduction until May of this year.

You and Trius will join us soon enough! :cool:
 
Until then, You can check out the Leica M5 group on Flickr!

Or, for everyone who has drank the M5 kool-aid (as we say in my office) join the group! :)
 
Trius said:
I have a feeling mine will be VERY expensive. Divorce attorneys don't come cheap, I hear. ;)
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No worries. I just reckon that my camera purchases are double the price & spend the change on my Sweetie!:cool:
 
BTW, anyone here the winning bidder for 260056957681? Not a bad price, I think, at least for a user.
 
I have had both the M6 and the M5; I still own a M5. Why? I admire the build quality of my M5. I use it regularly with a summicron 50mm; for it is my favourite and most functional lens. If you have large to medium size hands, the M5 will fit snugly and safely into your grip; this is the ergonomic reason for getting the M5. My M5 is an earlier one by s/n, but I have had no problems with it at all. I would be sure, however, that the shutter and viewfinder are in good shape BEFORE you hand over any money. The wein battery is easily acquired and works well. I recommend the M5 highly. Without a doubt I recommend it over a M6, which, for me never had the manly toughness and snug presence in my hands. Get that M5 and cherish it!
 
Just came across this thread- Yes, I love my M5. Sherry K. had told me that it was (in her opinion) the best metered M body, and "if you start to use the M5, its hard to return to the other Ms" (or something like that).
No, there is no battery issue. Wein cells are plentiful, and if you are very frugal, you can remove the outside ring and reuse it on a (675) hearing aid battery- that sells for about $5 for a pack of 8 of them.
So, yes, please buy it before someone else runs off with it
Subhash
 
I crave an M4 (be it a P or a -2) in black, but I dream of an M5. I didn't know there were solutions to the battery issue, and that's why I never angled for one. However, I'm pretty happy with my M6TTL bodies. What would I recommend? Any Leica body will do well! :)
 
ira's m5

ira's m5

congrat's ira!!! it looks like a beauty! i think the gent you bought from is i fella i have dealt with (terrible ups, voigtlander 75mm debacle) and he is a real class act!
...i'll try my best to hide my bitter envy
 
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