Leica M5 questions...

[AndrewNYC]

I'm looking into Leica M5s. I asked at KEH if the ones they had in stock had been adjusted to accept alkaline batteries, this is the response I got...

"They say they use the PX625 battery. We do have:

BA87 PX625AB 1.5 V ALKALINE (DURACELL) NEW 15 3.29 each"

Is this the standard battery people use now in their M5s?
Any other advice on looking at M5s?

Best,

Andrew

 

[Fred Burton]

Get the Wein cell. You can find them on ebay or at BHPhoto.

Fred

 

[KoNickon]

I'm still using mercury batteries so that's what in mine. The Duracell alkaline they sell will work, but it's not the best alternative since its voltage is different from the mercury cell's 1.35V that the camera's meter was designed for.

Do this -- go to a camera store in NYC and buy a 625 Wein cell. It's a 675 size zinc-air hearing aid battery with a metal washer fitted onto it that enables it to seat properly in the M5's battery compartment. The 675 battery provides the correct 1.35V. When the 675 dies ( a few months), pop the dead battery out from the washer, buy yourself a pack of 675 hearing aid batteries (also 1.35V), put one of them into the washer and insert it in the battery chamber. The hearing aid batteries are very inexpensive, so their short life spans won't be much of an inconvenience. (You can also tape up the little holes on the bottom of the zinc-airs if you're not going to be using the camera for a while, in order to delay the exhaustion of the batteries.)

 

[AndrewNYC]

Any other M5 purchasing suggestions?

Any other M5 purchasing suggestions?

I looking at KEH, photovillage, and if anyone around here had one, here.

 

[JRG]

Here's some standard reading on the subject:

http://nemeng.com/leica/012e.shtml

When I had an M5, I used the adapter from Franz de Gruijter; worked like a charm

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

My only advice is to pick one up. They are nothing like other Leicas. They are HUGE. I was suprised when I first held one recently. It did fit my hands,
but it is a big camera.

 

[KoNickon]

A really nice camera -- and wherever you can find one for a good price, grab it. I love the size and layout; it's not "too big" by any means. The meter readout is pretty intuitive to use also. Get familiar with the spot metering pattern; it's different from the typical center-weighted SLR pattern of the same era.

If you haven't handled one, it's a good idea to try one out first, just to see what you think -- though I bought one without really ever having picked one up beforehand.

Other than its size, I can't think of anything really worth mentioning. The two lug model might seem a little odd in use, but it's really nothing to be concerned about if you're wondering if the three lug might be a safer bet.

In many ways the camera represents the high point of classic Wetzlar design, and for that reason you can't go wrong.

 

[JRG]

"They are HUGE"

This might be one of those eye-of-the-beholder things.

Compared to the M4 that preceded it, the M5 is around 10% taller, 10% longer, and 16% heavier. It's bigger all right, but I've sure seen huger cameras than that.

 

[Sam N]

by volume
m3: 138x77x36 = 382536
m5: 150x84x36 = 453600

The M3 is about 84% the size of the M5. That's a pretty substantial difference. A lot of people use rangefinders for their small size. With that said, I really do like the control layout and ergonomics of the M5.

 

[JRG]

Well, those volume calculations aren't all that accurate, because the dimensions given are maxima --- the cameras would fit, exactly, in a box of those dimensions, but the box wouldn't be entirely filled. So, I'm not so sure that the M5 occupies 16% more volume than the M4. I'm also not so sure that 16% is a big deal.

The M5 does, however, weigh about 16% more than the M4. But I suspect that weight is (indirectly) one of the things that grabs Leica M-lovers. Making pieces parts out of brass and steel is gonna make a camera heavier than if you use plastic pieces parts. Most of the M bodies that followed the M5 are lighter than the M4 by about 50g. The M5 is heavier by 100g; I'm not sure that's all bad.

In any case, I (and lots of others) don't find the size of the M5 to be a big (heh, heh) issue. For me, the lack of 75mm framelines is a bigger problem.

 

[George S.]

It's bigger, heavier, not compatible with the motor as well as the cases. Did I mention that it's also BUTT UGLY? 😛

Funny how so many people say the major plus of the Leicas are their small size and light weight. But when you mention the M5 is bigger and heavier Leica users say that's a good thing! HUH ?!

The M5 almost single-handedly killed the Leica M line. When Leica had the M5 and the CL for sale simultaneously, the CL outsold the M5 something like 3 to 1. Since there wasn't enough of a profit margin on the CL, Leica had to go back to an M4 (M4-2) in 1976.

 

[JNewell]

by volume
m3: 138x77x36 = 382536
m5: 150x84x36 = 453600

The M3 is about 84% the size of the M5. That's a pretty substantial difference. A lot of people use rangefinders for their small size. With that said, I really do like the control layout and ergonomics of the M5.

Do the math again, this time with an MR or MC meter in the math.

 

[Nokton48]

I've owned mine for about six months now (see my avatar), and I love mine. I really don't understand all this jazz about it being UGLY and HEAVY. I also have an M2 with an Abrahamsson Rapidwinder, and my two bodies are roughly very comparable in size and heft. Both are lovely to use, but for their own specific reasons, and of course, to each his own.

The metering system and overall build quality are simply amazing. I really do consider it to be the high point of German Wetzlar design. Why, they introduced it along with the CL, is what I scratch my head over. In different times, that camera would have been a complete success. It certainly is now, look at how many people here enjoy using it.

You will need a Wein Battery for accurate metering, or one of the original Mercury batteries. The CRIS adapter also works very well. I have all three, and they are interchangable. The silver batteries will not give you accurate meter readings, unless somebody like Sherry Krauter has worked on your camera. BTW she thinks the M5 is the best camera Wetzlar ever made, and she knows these things inside out.

 

[maddoc]

I just recently received my M5 (FrankS, thanks again !!) and all I can say is: Wow !! The camera is larger compared to the classic M, it is heavier but the differences in size and weight are not noticeable in daily use (at least for me). My one is adjusted to 1.5V and I use it with a CRIS adapter (came with the camera) but I also have three Wein cells and a Varta PX625 1.5 V battery (purchased for my MR-4 meter).


The spot-meter is one of the best on-board meter that I have used, very accurate and reliable. The only draw-back for me with the M5 is that I can't use my Super-Angulon-M with it (I have an older version of that lens) but for 35, 50, and 90 mm the M5 is really great, especially if you have large hands like I have. BTW, 1/4s shutter-speed handheld with a Tom A softie is possible with the M5.

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I solve this problem with a Kanto adapter for the 1,55 voltage 386 silver oxide battery. The Kanto adapter employ a micro electronical device that automatically reduce the 1,55 voltage to 1,35 voltage of the longtime outlawed PX625 mercury oxide batteries. The Kanto adapter work very fine.
As alternative, you can use a Wein Cell MRB625 zinc air battery, that show 1,35 voltage.
At last, you can employ a silver oxide SPX625, a 1,55 voltage battery that show the same size and shape of the old PX625 mercury oxide battery. The silver oxide and the mercury oxide elements have the same curve of discharge, afterwards is simple change the ISO regolation for solve the M5 battery problem.
The Kanto adapter, the Wein Cell MRB625 or the SPX625 you can find at www.smallbattery.company.org.uk
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[sepiareverb]

Well since the M5 almost ruined Leica pretty much rules out taking it seriously for so many people those of us who use M5's are automatically written off. So be warned.

My M5 has two things you won't find on most if any others. First and foremost is the full modern frameline set. Not impossible to do by any means, Sherry managed it quite nicely. Next is a modified Tom A Rapidgrip. Makes the "elephantine size and weight" a non-issue.

The M5 is one of my 'daily' cameras, one of the ones I carry with me always- and it never fails to be a pleasing piece to use. The shutter speed dial is wonderful, easy to knowledgeably adjust without having to remove the eye from the VF- the analog readout at the bottom tells you the speed selected. Metering is also nice when one wants to skew the reading- after a few days of shooting you will know how far over or under you are by the relationship of the lines in the readout. More information in that VF than any other M, yet it is in no way cluttered or distracting and has no red lights.

As to the ungainly size so many seem to gripe about- the M5 is smaller than most SLR's, much smaller than the SLR's of that vintage I've seen & used. Downright petite next to a D300 or an F5. Is it bigger than an M3? Yep. But so is an M6TTL.

To the OP: I use the modern 625 battery, and had Sherry make the adjustments for it after I found the Wein cells to be too expensive for the life I got out of them.

 

[thomasw_]

I had a M5. Loved that camera except for shooting in dimly lit areas. But if I had had mine rigged liked yours with the battery and framelines altered, I think it would be still with me. The M5 is a manly camera with a great rewinding system. Outside of the "Leica M5" on the top plate and my difficulty in using the meter with dim light, it was a smashing camera.

 

[JRG]

"My M5 has two things you won't find on most if any others. First and foremost is the full modern frameline set. Not impossible to do by any means, Sherry managed it quite nicely."

I was unawate that could be done. Thanks for the tip! I may have to return to the M5 some day ...

 

[Nokton48]

I had a M5. Loved that camera except for shooting in dimly lit areas. But if I had had mine rigged liked yours with the battery and framelines altered, I think it would be still with me. The M5 is a manly camera with a great rewinding system. Outside of the "Leica M5" on the top plate and my difficulty in using the meter with dim light, it was a smashing camera.

Interestingly, that has not been an issue for me. I recently shot a whole roll at night, under very difficult dark conditions. The display was well illuminated at nearly all times to sufficently operate the incredible spot meter. Got some really great negs under -very- difficult conditions. Stressed my new 35mm f2 Canon out, as well, shooting under all that strong pinpoint spotlighting, in all that blackness and constant rain........

 

[maddoc]

Interestingly, that has not been an issue for me. I recently shot a whole roll at night, under very difficult dark conditions. The display was well illuminated at nearly all times to sufficently operate the incredible spot meter. Got some really great negs under -very- difficult conditions. Stressed my new 35mm f2 Canon out, as well, shooting under all that strong pinpoint spotlighting, in all that blackness and constant rain........

At night I also sometimes have difficulties to see the meter read-out but it seems that cleaning the VF (there is also some dust inside) could help. On the other hand, my M5 works well and at the moment I have no intention to sent it out for a CLA ...