Leica M5 - what to look out for?

[Jerevan]

Okay, guys, I e-mailed the seller to make an appointment to have a look at it. I'll keep you posted on how it all pans out.

 

[sepiareverb]

Thanks thomasw_! Glad to see I'm not the only one!

 

[Matthew Runkel]

I think that's a tremendous price. Especially since both chrome models and late serial numbers carry a premium.

If you get it I suggest you run a test roll though even if you will definitely be sending it for a CLA. I had an issue where the meter arm did not retract fast enough and showed up in some frames. Sherry told me this is an easy fix (new spring(s) or a tension adjustment), but that the issue is pretty uncommon and not something that is easy for the technician to detect during a CLA.

 

[PaulDalex]

Jerevan,
it is a detail but just in case it is of concern to you (as it was to me) at some serial (that I don't know) they switched from two to three lugs.
BTW as far as I know the first serial should be 1287001 and the last 1384000. Also I use the Wein battery and it works perfectly

 

[sepiareverb]

I tried using the vertical hanging method, but never got used to it- the M5 rides horizontally now. Leica used to retrofit the third lug- probably not anymore, but perhaps Sherry can do that too?

 

[Jerevan]

I was never a fan of using straps, so the position of the two/three lugs doesn't bother me. If I have to transport for longer stretches, I'll use a bag. I think I have seen people reporting Sherry doing that three-lug conversion.

 

[JNewell]

Sherry, Don and perhaps others will still retrofit the 3rd lug.

I tried using the vertical hanging method, but never got used to it- the M5 rides horizontally now. Leica used to retrofit the third lug- probably not anymore, but perhaps Sherry can do that too?

 

[sepiareverb]

Sherry, Don and perhaps others will still retrofit the 3rd lug.

Good to know. I wouldn't be surprised if my M6 was replaced by another M5.

 

[venchka]

Firmer shutter dial

Firmer shutter dial

Sherry for sure does 3 lugs. More importantly, she does the late model shutter speed dial improvement: the detents are firmed up. That is a major improvement if your early body has a loose dial that moves my itself.

Too bad the M5 is so homely.😀 🙂 😉

 

[Jerevan]

Long story short: I went away to look at the camera. But I wasn't tempted.

The camera itself looked okay, no dings or dents, no vulcanite chipping, but very dusty. Long speeds were off, and the detents felt a bit sloppy. Meter seemed accurate but viewfinder felt hazy and hard to see through. The frames didn't show up correctly. The Summicron 35 had a sizeable scratch in the rear glass. Overall, the camera felt okay-ish, but the seller wasn't very knowledgable and the scratched Summi 35 made me stay away. I'll keep a look-out for another M5.

 

[eef]

The big problem with the M5 is that it uses film. Get an M8 instead. Much better technology. You can change ISO on the fly! How cool is that.

 

[sepiareverb]

You've been bitten. Like the werewolf, come the next M5 moon you will again begin to feel the pull. You may resist for a while but in the end you will succumb.
(or something like that)😉

 

[venchka]

The bite is strong

The bite is strong

You've been bitten. Like the werewolf, come the next M5 moon you will again begin to feel the pull. You may resist for a while but in the end you will succumb.
(or something like that)😉

Once used, you may have to have another. 😱 🙂 😉

 

[sepiareverb]

Isn't that an M5 over there?

 

[colyn]

There was a fatal flaw in earlier ones, 134xxxxx and earlier, where the shutter shaft was weak. If you can, stay with a later serial number.

Don't you mean the shutter speed dial spring is weak??

My understanding is the early models had a weak spring which could cause the shutter speeds to be changed by bumping the dial.

 

[cpborello]

Colyn,

I think what Vickko is referring to is the shutter drum, not the shutter speed dial spring. While not a common problem, it was a weaker design in the earlier serial numbers and is probably $300+ to fix if it fails. Feel free to call Sherry Krauter on this -- she'll be able to give you the details.

Chris

 

[Jerevan]

You've been bitten. Like the werewolf, come the next M5 moon you will again begin to feel the pull. You may resist for a while but in the end you will succumb.
(or something like that)😉

Uuuh-oh. I feel the urge coming on... I hate to admit it, but I know I will succumb to M5 GAS again. It's chronic, I guess. 😀

 

[sepiareverb]

Isn't that one over there? black chrome, three lugs?