Leica M5 questions...

[Ronald_H]

All good and well, but what about the alleged fragility of the metering system?

The reason I ask is that I found a very ugly and worn M5 for a negotiable price. How do I check if the meter works?

 

[maddoc]

All good and well, but what about the alleged fragility of the metering system?

The reason I ask is that I found a very ugly and worn M5 for a negotiable price. How do I check if the meter works?

Buy mounting a screw-mount adapter without lens. This way you can watch the arm swinging into position when the shutter is cocked and swinging back when the shutter is released. There is a protection mechanism, preventing the arm swinging into working position without a lens mounted.

 

[Joe]

The M5 is large for a Leica, which is why it's good to also have an M2 and IIIf.

 

[venchka]

All 3 of us agree

All 3 of us agree

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.

The Great Written Off Leica Users. The HORROR! 😀

I concur with the above.

Bigfoot, all original 2 lug M5 + 3rd lug added by Sherry K., concures with the above.

Bubba, original 3 lug M5 + 28-35-50-75-90-135 frames added by DAG, concurs with the above.

Thankfully I have a stash of PX625 banned substance batteries.

Using banned batteries in the worst of all Leicas must mean that I am totally written off. 😎

 

[Nokton48]

The M5 is large for a Leica, which is why it's good to also have an M2 and IIIf.

The M2 is great for "sunny 16" photography. But when the light is fleeting and difficult/evasive, I'd rather be using the M5. I bought an MC meter for my M2, but I sold it (even though it was amazingly accurate). But not so good for low-light shooting. The M5 rules in the darkness.

 

[HuubL]

All good and well, but what about the alleged fragility of the metering system?

The reason I ask is that I found a very ugly and worn M5 for a negotiable price. How do I check if the meter works?

The fact that the meter cell is hidden when there's no lens mounted makes it almost impossible to interfere/break the arm. I've just sold a well-used M5 that showed lots of excercise. Its meter functioned excellently.

If you have a summicron (DR or rigid), unscrew the lens and you can check the meter swinging in/out.

 

[sepiareverb]

Meter worries are just as with any similar vintage camera- an older cell can be off. I don't know that I've seen a Canon AE-1 in class that didn't need the ASA skewed to meter correctly.

 

[venchka]

My M5 metering experiences

My M5 metering experiences

Both of my M5s meter better than I do. Meaning, if I do my part right, they do their part better than right. These two meters are the best meters that I have ever owned and use. That includes Gossens, Westons, Minolta Auto Meter IV, Canon EF & EOS.

I currently use an M5 with 90mm lens as a spot meter for my 4x5 photography. 😎

 

[JNewell]

I have a CL that Sherry replaced the CdS cell on. Might have been prophylactic. My son has an M5 with the original cell that passed muster when Sherry overhauled the camera last year. It's a great camera, and it's big only when compared to the traditional M or Barnack bodies.

 

[HuubL]

Everything is relative.
When the IIIc came out it was considered big compared to earlier Barnacks.
The IIIg is considered "big and ugly" compared to the IIIc/IIIf
The M3 was considered huge compared to Barnacks

SL/SL2 were regarded gigantic and heavy in comparison to the OM1
Leica's R3-7 series were regarded as insignificant rebatched Minoltas (although the R6/6.2 partly made up for that).
The R8/9 are found ugly and heavy by many.
The S2 is a smallish MF.

I have several Ms and the M5 is a favorite!

 

[Ronald_H]

The fact that the meter cell is hidden when there's no lens mounted makes it almost impossible to interfere/break the arm. I've just sold a well-used M5 that showed lots of excercise. Its meter functioned excellently.

If you have a summicron (DR or rigid), unscrew the lens and you can check the meter swinging in/out.

As a matter of fact I do... GAS attack coming on... CLA and recover and one more Leica saved.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

One question for fellow M5 users:

How do you carry your M5 ? do you use a short strap or a long one slung across the shoulder or carry one like a handbag ?

thanks

raytoei

 

[sepiareverb]

Third lug, and strapped like any other camera with lugs on both sides. I tried to get used to the M5 style strap system but couldn't do it.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Wrist strap for me + domke bag. I really like this model strap, most comfortable ever--

http://bit.ly/140NzGnhttp://bit.ly/140NzGn

 

[IEDEI]

One question for fellow M5 users:

How do you carry your M5 ? do you use a short strap or a long one slung across the shoulder or carry one like a handbag ?

thanks

raytoei

i always carry my cameras around my shoulder....the M5 is no different. i actually LOVE the double lugs on one side....more comfortable than the standard lugs on other leicas.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Thanks for all the replies. Still trying to adjust
to slinging it across my shoulder to shoot.

 

[nikonosguy]

the m5 is a good experience --- take one out for a spin ---- a local photographer has one with a summicron 50 she's selling --- pm me and i'll put you in touch with her

 

[nikonosguy]

i used a 2 lug zhou case, black... besides, with the m5 being out of favour, you can get a black metered m for cheaper than an m6 or m7 -- often cheaper than an m4-p

 

[steveyork]

Hands down, one of the best Leica Ms ever made. Not the prettiest though. And Leica guys like their jewelry. Just look at all the 'see my camera' threads. It was designed for taking pictures; form followed function. Much like the Leicaflex SL, my favorite camera (and another ugly one).