Bill Clark
Veteran
M6 is an alternative.
No arm issues.
Also it’s like other later M’s, parts more avail than M5. M5 had a limited run.
No arm issues.
Also it’s like other later M’s, parts more avail than M5. M5 had a limited run.
M5 curiosity
- Thread starter SurlaCraque
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SurlaCraque
Member
Ok good to know. How quick was the service shipping back and forth from the US? Will Leica fix any of their old cameras? What was the cost if you don't mind me asking; comparable to what you might pay from Sherry or DAG?
I see you have quite a collection of M cameras. How do you rate the M5? Which M is your favorite shooter?
Huss
Veteran
I have M3 SS, M3 DS, M4-2, M5, M7, M-A.
The M5 and M7 are the best kameras if your intention is to just get the shot as they give you the tools the others do not. Fantastic built in meters. The M7 is quicker to use, but the M5 is more accurate as it has a spot meter and the best exposure info in the VF.
An M6/M6ttl or MP would just be a slower M7.. Similar meter patten, but have to always use manual exposure.
The M5 and M7 are the best kameras if your intention is to just get the shot as they give you the tools the others do not. Fantastic built in meters. The M7 is quicker to use, but the M5 is more accurate as it has a spot meter and the best exposure info in the VF.
An M6/M6ttl or MP would just be a slower M7.. Similar meter patten, but have to always use manual exposure.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I would not buy M5 based on your wish to have it serviceable for some time.
Honestly, the only huge reason to buy M is framelines for 35 and 28 lenses.
Another big difference is rotating shutter speed dial.
I'm in the process of getting another working LTM after I sold IIf for M4-2.
Older than f-series. Those are more repairable by DIY. And CLA costs less.
The fear of S16 comes away. All is needed is switch to meterless camera and practice. Use meter app in the phone with liveview without camera and taking pictures. Every day, everywhere. Without use of the camera. In couple of weeks you will guess light most of the time.
In 2018-19 I was working in different locations in USA and used M4-2 without meter. Winter, night, indoors and so on. In summer 2019 I took Bessa L to Chicago and it was more waste of time than convenience 🙂
Meterless exposure on B, in Washington, DC.
steveyork
Well-known
That's a surprise, because she's supposed to be the avowed expert on that camera. Although I no longer have them, she fixed two for me more then ten years ago w/o a problem. I know she purchased a lot of the spare parts from Leica USA.
DennisM
Established
M5 Service
M5 Service
For what it's worth, Sherry Krauter serviced my (early SN; two lug) M5 several times, each time very satisfactorily. I learned that she prefers phone calls to e-mails. I found her pleasant to deal with and professional. She was good enough to advise me that a key part of my early M5 body is/was prone to failure which would require a every expensive to fix were it to fail; in other words did I want to go forward with the original repair which prompted me to contact her in the first place.
M5 Service
For what it's worth, Sherry Krauter serviced my (early SN; two lug) M5 several times, each time very satisfactorily. I learned that she prefers phone calls to e-mails. I found her pleasant to deal with and professional. She was good enough to advise me that a key part of my early M5 body is/was prone to failure which would require a every expensive to fix were it to fail; in other words did I want to go forward with the original repair which prompted me to contact her in the first place.
Really depends on the deal and the condition of an M5 that comes along...'keep your eyes peeled' as my dad used to say, and who knows what may appear...
Since the beginning of my buying camera gear, sooner or later something I've been wanting will come along at a price too good to pass up; one just has to be ready to jump on it when it does.
This is what happened with my M5, that appeared here on RFF about a year ago. Even if it were to fail sometime down the road, it wouldn't matter; I may get it fixed, or not; or sell it. Most likely the failure would be electronic; a mechanical failure would be no different to fix than any other M.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
I owned an M5 many years ago, but never warmed up to it. However, the M5 is a relative bargain for a metered Leica M today (roughly half the price of an M6). If I were shopping for a film M right now, the M5 would be at the top of my list (same goes for the CL). And since you've never shot with a Leica M, you will likely be able to deal with it's relative quarks fairly easily.
And I know Don Goldberg ("DAG") still services them. And I know he's not planning on retiring any time soon!
NaChase
Well-known
It was free because my camera was under warranty from KEH. They couldn't fix it in house, so they sent it to Wetzlar. Took about two months. Insofar as my favorite shooter is concerned, I think I have to go with my M6. The M5 is a close second though, and is more ergonomic in a lot of ways. However, mine is the older 2 lug model, which I find a bit awkward.
Guth
Appreciative User
How heavy does the thought of the XD-11 going belly up in the next few years weigh on your mind? Over the past four decades has your Minolta required much maintenance — how many CLA's have you sent it off for? If the XD-11 has served you well then perhaps a Minolta CLE would be an M-mount option worth exploring. If you aren't comfortable with the CLE as an option then keep in mind that the M5 is only a few years older than your XD-11 and might well go for quite a while longer before you need to worry about irreparable failures.
SurlaCraque
Member
I've had my XD-11 for about 18 years and I had it CLA'd once about 15 years ago. It's working fine but probably overdue for a service to replace worn seals and check shutter etc. I go through bouts of using it, but it doesn't get heavy use. I've had good experience with Minolta cameras (I had an X700 that ran flawlessly for 20 years of heavy use) but the XD-11 was their last metal construction, really high quality old school camera. It has a great vertical plane Ti shutter that can operate without batteries. I'm definitely tempted by the CLE, but I understand it's based on a newer plastic-yer camera - X370? Plastic gears and such that wear out. Electronics that can't be repaired. But I see you'r point. A good example could easily run more many years depending on usage. They've gotten expensive too though. I should have bought the one with the 40mm Rokkor that I saw for $400 about 10 years ago...
Heck I should have bought a M5 10 years ago, probably would have been a decent investment...
Huss
Veteran
I've heard that recently things are different. Perhaps her age or health.
Parts went missing from my camera. She did not want to talk about it when I asked what had happened. DAG had to replace them.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Because of her age? She's only 66. I can understand Huss being unhappy that Sherry made a mistake. But I think we must remember, this is only one negative report, even if Huss has repeated it a time or two. I still have confidence in Sherry.
I won't send her anything again, not for anything related to her skills, however. DAG!
Guth
Appreciative User
Per Popular Photography's 1981 review of the Minolta CLE, the top and bottom covers are molded plastic that are black chrome plated. The rest of the body is die-cast aluminum. All in all they seemed to be impressed with the build quality of the camera and were impressed with where exactly Minolta chose to use plastic in the camera along with where they didn't. In particular: "As for the wind system itself, it's a little toughy, with a double-row ball bearing on the idler gear and good heat treatment of the all-steal gears."
The electronics are likely the biggest concern and a valid one. But you'll be taking a chance with any older camera. Even those parts that are available for some cameras today might not be available tomorrow, or the next week, month, whatever. It is all a matter of how you look at things. The CLE might be worthy of your consideration. Also the M5 is not that much older than your XD-11. Either one might serve you well for many years. There are supposedly repair people still around willing to work on either of these cameras but no one knows for how much longer. Any choice you make will be somewhat of a gamble. But as more and more film cameras are being put back into use then the number of people interested in camera repair might also grow at some point as well, supply and demand being what it is.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Huss
Veteran
why bother...
?
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farlymac
PF McFarland
Man, I wish I could find a decent XD-11. Every one I've gotten had electronics issues. Just my luck I guess. But since I'm about to divest myself of most of my gear I'm not in the market for one anymore.
That said, if you are worried about the longevity of an M5, then the first thing you do is start saving up for purchasing another Leica M for a back-up for when the M5 has to go in for repairs. You'll need to figure out just what style of photography you're doing with the M5, then determine which model M would match up well. Maybe even another M5.
I forget which seller I was perusing one day, but they had two M4's that were consecutively numbered. Now that would have made a nice pair, but only if you were a collector, as their value would drop with every roll of film you ran through them.
Myself, my first M mount was the CL, and I kept it when I got the M4-P because the 40mm and 90mm C lenses that were made for them just happen to work well in my way of photography. And what I like about the M4-P is it has the six frame lines I use with my other M mount lenses from 28mm to 135mm, and it works well with my super-wide angle lenses (with an external finder of course).
I didn't bother to look at the M5 as it has a meter similar to the one in the CL, and most of the time I just use my eyes to calculate exposures, something I practiced on all my LTM cameras. But it sure is nice to have one when in an iffy situation such as indoors which I haven't had enough experience taking photos to get a good feel for how many stops I need to gain. So I got the VC Meter II for the M4-P, and just need to get cracking to learn how to read the light.
It's all a matter of using the camera enough to be able to remember how to make adjustments on the fly without having to over think the situation. I'm sure you'll be happy with the M5, and if not, be able to recoup most of what you paid for it when going for another M.
PF
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
For the last few years I've been searching for both a functioning M5 and XD-11.
It's good to know that Leica will still service the camera.
Horror stories have now scared me away from pursuing the XD-11... yet I feel that if I find one in working condition at a swap meet, I wouldn't be able to resist it.
leicapixie
Well-known
Minolta cameras go at very low prices!
So there's really no risk in buying..
I bought a X-700 and 45mm lens, for $5.
Best buy in long time!
A trip to battery store and it's all systems "go".
I cannot see any differences between my older Leitz lenses and the "Rokkors".
Same sort of flare, same look..just my opinion..
Leica always means money even services and adjustments..
I have a XD-11 that wont work in all the features, but still usable.
So there's really no risk in buying..
I bought a X-700 and 45mm lens, for $5.
Best buy in long time!
A trip to battery store and it's all systems "go".
I cannot see any differences between my older Leitz lenses and the "Rokkors".
Same sort of flare, same look..just my opinion..
Leica always means money even services and adjustments..
I have a XD-11 that wont work in all the features, but still usable.