M5 battery compartment repair

[Topdog1]

Does anyone know how easy it is to repair defective battery compartments in the M5? There are a couple of M5s for sale on eBay which are very reasonabley priced, except their light meters don't work because of various problems with the battery compartment.

Thanks,
Ira

 

[dreamsandart]

One of the main fixes to look for in a used M5 - cameras sitting unused with batteries for too long. Parts are hard to come by for most repair shops, but check with DAG or Sherry Krauter they both do really excellent work on an M5 and have parts. In general its better to find an M5 in good working condition to begin with as repairs can be expensive.

 

[Topdog1]

Well, as far as cost goes, these M5s can be had for $599 and are in 8+ condition. There's lots of room for repair costs before it starts to get unreasonably priced.


/Ira

 

[dreamsandart]

Add in $150-200 for parts and $300 for a proper service ( M5s have more parts and need someone that really knows what they are doing ) from someone like Don or Sherry and that $600 camera isn't as cheap as originally thought. As a rule of thumb I add in a good CLA to any used camera, but sometimes you get lucky.

 

[colyn]

Add in $150-200 for parts and $300 for a proper service ( M5s have more parts and need someone that really knows what they are doing ) from someone like Don or Sherry and that $600 camera isn't as cheap as originally thought. As a rule of thumb I add in a good CLA to any used camera, but sometimes you get lucky.

Even if the cost of repair is $600 it is still worth it to get a $600 M5.

The only "what if" part of buying one of these cameras is is the meter dead or just needs cleaning of the battery compartment and re-soldering of the wires?

 

[jja]

I am helping an acquaintance get his M5 ready for sale, and one of the things the camera needed was its battery contacts replaced, as the contacts were broken due to corrosion. I have sent the camera to DAG and the battery contact replacement is costing $50, plus $20 to calibrate the meter for modern batteries.

A full CLA from DAG or Sherry will cost you about $300, which is about what they charge for other M-series cameras. The camera you purchase on e-bay may not need a full CLA, but it is a risk that you are taking. If I were looking for an M5 at a bargain price, I might be tempted to do exactly what you are doing.

If you are interested in buying a v. nice chrome M5 (3-lug, everything working to spec), PM me. I'm going to put it up for sale as soon as it returns from DAG.

 

[Topdog1]

Rats. The seller delisted the M5s for lack of bids. I'll just have to wait...
Thanks for the input. It was very worthwhile.

/Ira