M5 is home

[dreamsandart]

I sold my M5 back in the early 80s when the M6 came out and someone convinced me it was THE camera to have. The M6 was a good camera if not built to the standards of the old Wetzlar cameras and I used it for many years, but always had that M5 thought in the back of my mind.

A nice chrome M5 came back to me on a trip to Singapore years ago and Sherry did her magic on it - a happy camper again. The M6 became history.

I still like the classic M-series body, the lines and how it 'fits', not that I don't like the M5 style or feel, its has its own beauty and way of handling, comfortable, but just in a different way. For sheer picture making ability its 'the best' M-series I have, the camera I pick up most often on my way out the door.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[kevin m]

The original M4s seem to be trés chere.

Prices on all the "classic" bodies, including the M4, seem to be dropping. I think it's entirely possible to find a clean M4 body for under $1,000 now.

 

[Trius]

Kevin: Thanks for the tip. Financially, I'm not in the market right now, but you never know when a good deal would present itself.

 

[Leica Geek]

The M5's viewfinder is beautiful and the rangefinder patch is really bright. I'm much faster when I shoot with my M5. It's size makes it easier for "left eye" shooters like me to advanced the film without poking my eye with my thumb.

 

[venchka]

I never thought of that. I'm a left eye person too. I knew there was a reason why the M5 just felt right to me. lad you are enjoying it.

 

[Peter55]

M5 and Me - a happy user!

M5 and Me - a happy user!

Hello all,
I got my M5 last August. At first and perhaps because I read that many people disliked the size I too was not all that happy with her. But now you could not pry my M5 from my hands. A perfect fit. Wonderfull camera. Also I just like the match needles so much more than the diodes that come on all the later M's.
I also like having the overhanging shutter speed dial and the shutter speeds displayed in the viewfinder via the mechanical linkage.

I'm using Zinc Air Haring Aid 1.4 Volt batteries and the exposures are all correct to my eyes.

So far I have only one lens the Wetzlar 50mm f/1.4 Summilux and I like that lens a lot. Some times I think I would like to get a 35 and a 90 and then I'd be done.
But the 50 seems to be a good all around lens. So I may just keep this one lens and keep it simple.

I added the 1.25x eyepiece to enlarge the image in the patch a little and also a +0.5 Diopter to correct my vision. Focus in the viewfinder is now perfectly clear for my aging eyes. Lastly I found a good condition Leitz Wetzlar soft brown leather case that carries the camera in the 2 lug vertical position after I added one of my old straps. I leave the case home mostly and keep the strap on the camera for ease of dragging along the camera and also just in case I lose my grip on the body. But if ever I travel I will use it the case.

I shoot mostly Kodak Professional CN B&W ISO 400 C-41 film and pay to have the exposed film developed into negatives. I then scan them in with an inexpensive Plustek OpicFilm 7200 dedicated film scanner. I love it. Even print at home the one's I like, sometimes.

 

[JNewell]

You guys are making it very hard to sell the M5...wanna finance a M6 classic with a .85x finder...

 

[Trius]

JNewell: Why would you think of doing that?

 

[JNewell]

JNewell: Why would you think of doing that?

Because although I know that the M5 is better, ergonomically, than anything prior to the M7, and is better built than anything after M4 and M5 production ceased in Wetzlar...even though it has the best shutter speed dial, the only adult-sized rewind crank, almost the only shutter speed viewfinder display, the only true spot meter...I could go on...I started with an M3 35 years ago and the "classic" body just feels more at home in my hands, and because I really would like a body with a .85x viewfinder, and because I don't need or want to buy another body without selling one to make room for a new body. And mostly because, honestly, the M5 just doesn't get used much because it doesn't "feel" right to me. 🙁

I think I've found the only place in the universe where people don't get a thrill bashing the M5! 😀

 

[Trius]

Makes sense. Life on RFF can be SO difficult! But the part about "I don't need or want to buy another body without selling one" does not compute on RFF. 😛

 

[JNewell]

Makes sense. Life on RFF can be SO difficult! But the part about "I don't need or want to buy another body without selling one" does not compute on RFF. 😛

Yes, well...I explictly reserve my right to change my mind! 😀

 

[Peter55]

but only in your dreams Memphis

but only in your dreams Memphis

Hello,

I could not resist your barb!

 

[JNewell]

my m3 can beatup your m5

🙄 Your M3 must be different from my M3, because my M5 scares the wits out of my M3. 😀

 

[JNewell]

I was under the impression that the M5's brass top plate was zinc-plated. Is this not so?

No. Heck, they hadn't even gotten that far down the periodic table when the M5 was discontinued. 😀 It's brass.

This quote was referring to the M6:

Just for the record, I did start with an M6 and really loved it. I still do. But I dislike Zinc, and the way that the chrome "sits" on it.

Actually, while I'm writing, the zinc thing has some issues but to a point it is definitely more dent-resistant than brass...to a point. I dropped an M6 on a hardwood floor one time...to my absolute astonishment, everything (meter, rangefinder, shutter) worked perfectly and the top plate (which is where the camera landed) didn't show any evidence of the fall. The floor did not get off so well... There's a writeup on the Leica FAQ site about the pluses and minuses of zinc. BTW, where's my F3/T? Talk about being able to beat up other cameras...