M5 as user

[AlanS]

Hi everybody,
Does anybody shoot with an M5? I wondered if the meter is reliable and if the rest of the camera is useable without it.(i.e. fully mechanical).Are there any other issues of note? There seems to be no information on RFF other than a few members own one.
Thanks.
Alan.

 

[wlewisiii]

Welcome to RFF, Alan! Have you seen Mr. Gandy's writeup on the M5? http://www.cameraquest.com/m5.htm

I don't have one, but I think that if I ever get any full size M, it will be a three lug M5.

William

 

[mac_wt]

You can use an M5 with a nonfunctioning meter (unless the defect is mechanical and prevents the meter arm from moving out of the way). That said, the meter is the most appealing aspect of the M5. In the viewfinder you get feedback about both the aperture and the shutterspeed, in the form of two needles. Also the M5 has the best ergonomics of all M-mount cameras when it comes the changing the shutterspeed. The dial slightly overhangs the front of the camera, in exactly the right place.
Only negative comment I have, is about its size. Compared to the Minolta CLE or even the M6, it realy feels big.

Wim

 

[MCTuomey]

What William and Wim said. But more importantly, the M5 has ... funk!

Serious exceptional wunnerous f-u-n-k!

It's the only M camera to have it, no doubt whatsover.

And I hear that it rubs off on the owner ...

 

[Solinar]

Serious exceptional wunnerous f-u-n-k credentials - that would be Maceo Parker.

 

[AlanS]

Thanks guys.
I did look at Cameraquest but couldn't find anything specific about the mechanics of the camera. I also don't mind it being a bit larger as I find it easier to hold, I have a Zorky (Zorky) 1 which is nice but it is a bit small (and yes I know it's not the normal complaint).
Alan.

 

[venchka]

M5-Great! user

M5-Great! user

As for the knock about being big. I've never used any Leica camera other than the M5. When I got it it seemed about right to me. I checked it against my Canon VI-T bodies, the only other rangefinders I have used on a regular basis. The M5 and Canon VI-T are EXACTLY the same height. Depth is the same for all M bodies and the same as the Canon VI-T. The M5 is about 1/4" longer than the VI-T. That's it. A silly 1/4" makes it big?😕 It does have serious heft. Tranlation: Built like a tank. Just the way I like my cameras. The M5's shutter speed dial, film transport, size & density very closely match my Canon EF. An altogether good fit from camera to camera to camera for me.

Sherry Krauter can add the third lug and modify the softer shutter speed dial stops of the early versions to the firmer stops of later versions. Very worthwhile modifications in my very limited experience.

Caution: The rangefinder/viewfinder/meter will spoil you in 30 seconds or less.😉 That's just my personal opinion.

 

[venchka]

M5 variable shutter

M5 variable shutter

One more unique feature of the M5: the shutter speeds from 1/2 second to 1/1000 second are continuously varible. Not only do you get shutter speed prefered metering with continuously variable apertures, you can do the reverse with a fixed aperture and continuoulsy variable shutter speeds. In practice it works very nicely.

 

[MCTuomey]

Serious exceptional wunnerous f-u-n-k credentials - that would be Maceo Parker.

Yah, uh-HuH! 😎

Alan, get an M5, man. Life is short. If you don't like it, I'll buy it or trade you something ...

 

[kdemas]

Alan,

Although I probably use my M7s a bit more now for the AE I have to say the M5 is my favorite M. I have a great user that has a terrific meter and, to me, has the nicest 50MM frames of any M. The 3 lug is great and I would highly recommend one to anyone.

Enjoy it if you go for one!

Kent

 

[Rayt]

Is there a problem with shutter delay with the M5 due to the meter arm having to move in and out?

 

[FrankS]

I have a CL with the same metering arm arrangement and do not notice a longer shutter time lag compared to my other M bodies. My P+S digi cam, now that's another story!

 

[Flinor]

I can only add that I've sold every M i've had except the M5. IMHO it's the best user M Leica has made.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

There is no shutter delay that I can detect. The meter arm has already retracted when the shutter trips, and the shutter release does not have any longer travel or greater pressure requirement assoicated with retracting the arm, at least that I can notice. You will need to break any habit of lightly pressing the shutter release while metering, as this can partially retract the meter arm and throw off the reading.

The M5 is a great user. The meter is dead on, and the combination of the meter display and the ergonomics of the shutter speed dial make it easy to to do a manual equivalent of aperture priority.

Be aware of the battery issue. It uses an unavailable mercury cell. There are work-arounds, but getting a camrera converted to use a modern alkaline battery is not considered the best of these due to the uneven discarge curve.

 

[roundg]

yes I do shoot with my M5. The meter of mine is accurate. It's a very durable camera.

 

[BillBingham2]

While I have never had one, I've always thought that the shutter speed dial (and that of the Canon EF) were the best design ever. My guess is that they (the M5s) are like every other camera, happier when they are being used regularly.

B2 (;->

 

[roundg]

While I have never had one, I've always thought that the shutter speed dial (and that of the Canon EF) were the best design ever. My guess is that they (the M5s) are like every other camera, happier when they are being used regularly.

B2 (;->

Nod, I always think the speed dial and the speed display in VF are the best disign among all Ms.

 

[payasam]

The overhang of the Canon EF's dial once got me in trouble. Taking pictures in the dark with flash, I managed to set a speed faster than 1/125 sec. Resultant image size: 36 by 12 millimetres approx.

 

[Tony Salce]

M5 Best M

M5 Best M

Alan,

I have two M5's. One black and one chrome. Both CLA'd by the best in the business Sherry Krauter. The M5 is her favourite camera.

Along with what one of the other respondents said, the M5 is a camera I would never sell.

The metering is superb.

The camera is extremely well built.

Here's a great article for you to read.

http://www.photo.net/equipment/leica/m5/

I don't think you'll be sorry buying an M5. Speak to Sherry about them. You will be sold in an instant.

The best M5's are with serial no over 134....

Good luck.

Tony

 

[freddygene]

Greetings from Baghdad, Alan, might as well add my shrill voice to the choir:

It loads easy, it shoots easy, I had a 2 lug and it didnt matter, I was using a screwmount lens on an adapter and it didnt matter, Tamarkin got me some batteries for my M-5 and my Leicaflexes and they worked fine, I'm in the Marines and so I naturally think bigger is better, it does have that leitz funk all over it, it does rub off, you will take great pictures and enjoy using and using the camera. The only other M that I feel equally positive about is a double shutter M-3. Sherry is terminally PO'd at me but she can fix the heck out of Leicas, go for it and be happy...ps, dont get rid of it!!