M5- is it worthwhile?

FX trading

FX trading

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I have never owned an M5, and out of curiosity I am thinking of trying one out. However, before I do so, I would like to hear the opinions of those familiar with it- regarding reliability, ease of use stong and wek points, and problems with spares.
 
I have not owned one either but came close and did a lot of research. Sherry Krauter is one of the top five Leica M repair people in the world. I have seen her quoted many times as saying that the M5 is as true a Leica as the M3, she loves them.

I think the bad press came because of the size difference from the M4. Leica solved adding a very useful meter to the M the best way they could at the time. I wonder how it compares to an M8?

If I were to start building an M system again, knowing what I do now, the M5 would be one of the top two cameras on my list.

B2 (;->
 
The M5 gets nit picked to death for such essential photographic shortcomings as...

Size
Ugly
2 lugs on one end

Here's my take on those shortcomings:

Size: Get over it. If you've ever hoisted a Nikon F Photomic, Pentax 6x7 or Speed Graphic like I have, the M5 feels miniscule.
Ugly: There's no accounting for taste in the appearance of camera bodies. Fortunately, the lenses still make beautiful images and the film doesn't care where it is as long as it's dark.
2 lugs on one end: Leica added a third lug early in the production run. Sherry Krauter can add a third lug. A case from Leica or Luigi also solves the problem.

Nuff said.
 
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This has been discussed many times here. Do a search here and you'll get all the info you need.
BTW- Yes, it is ugly, it is bigger, and AFAIK it can't use the M winders, but it is a Leica.
 
I recently purchased one thru K.E.H. It had a wonderful feel to it, and the shutter speed dial was where all the Leica shutter dials SHOULD have been all along. Very easy to spin it to get your shutter speeds w/ your finger w/o taking the camera from your eye. I didn't feel it was too big at all. However, I found it nearly impossible to see the shutter speed and metering lines in the viewfinder, expecially in low light. I had to shift my eye from looking straight at my scene to way down at the bottom of the viewfinder. I am not sure if this is a characteristic of the M5 as this was the only one I have used or just my particular camera, but I sent it back for a refund.

You want to watch your serial numbers on these as earlier models have a known shutter speed weakness that can cost around $300 for a repair. I think you want one w/ a serial number above 134xxxx, but you should ck that on the web. I didn't like the 2 lugs on mine, but would have lived w/ that if it hadn't had that viewfinder flaw.
 
Thanks everyone, in the meantime will also search through other threads here. Any ideas on parts availabilty for electricals if anything goes wrong?
 
Yep, Leica lovers know what they like, and what they like is to keep the calendar stuck on "1954" forever. The M5 offered many functional improvements over the M4, but, due to bad timing more than anything, died in the marketplace. Leica learned their lesson and gave up on innovation, and the M8 looks just like an M3, ensuring that when the company finally goes belly up, discriminating camera owners whose delicate sensibilities the M5 offended will have aesthetically pleasing paperweights for their collections. :D
 
Mere curiosity may be a reason to try out an M5, but I'd think it would be too queer, too different from the already nice stable of M gear you already own for you to get used to it much. If you just have to have it for a collection, then that's different.
 
Or you might try it and decide that - Eureka! - the dime-sized shutter speed knobs on your 'classic' M bodies suddenly seem pretty silly. :)
 
At one point, I had an M2, M3, M5, and M6. The opportunity for a particular MF camera came along and I had to sell off gear to afford it. I kept the M5 and M6. I'm not a pro using Leica M's where it would be advantageous to have all the bodies the same or similar for smooth handling. I like the fact that the M5 feels different. I like the polygamous experience of shooting with different bodies. One wife, but many different camera bodies!
 
I once owned a lovely Canon P. It was very fun to shoot with and if it took m-mount, I would probably still have it. I think the M5 is much similar in feel to that camera. It's different, but still nice to use undoubtedly.
 
Why does one have to get used to the M5's size? There are SLRs for that. And they're easier to use, too.

And it is ugly. I have nothing against the M5, but I can easily understand the popular opinion on it at the time.

The M5's quirks all kinda defeat the rangefinder advantages.
 
Try it you might like it. I tried it and I liked it, but I don't have one.

Like Marmite, Aromat and rangefinders in general some people like it and others do not...

And I don't get the 'ugly' thing - especially after all that hoo-hah about the new Leica webpage.
 
Ignorance: Good or Bad?

Ignorance: Good or Bad?

If I believed everything I read on Al Gore's Internet, I would go home and throw rocks at Bigfoot and Bubba. Sell them to an unsuspecting novice. Wait, I was an unsuspecting novice when I bought Bigfoot. The experience was so enjoyable that I bought Bubba. Ignorance can be Bliss! :D
 
The M5 has several features no other M possesses. It has a true spot meter--something I for one use. The speed dial is easy to use. The finder is uncluttered and useful. I don't find the meter scale hard to see--even when I add a 1.25x magnifier. I really don't want any other camera in 35mm.
--Lindsay
 
Actually I like the look of the M5 over the M3. Very clean. I also make full use of the spot metering, something the other M's don't have. Mine is two lug and I like the way it hangs under my arm. It was the last of the true hand fit M's built.
 
FX trading said:
I have never owned an M5, and out of curiosity I am thinking of trying one out. However, before I do so, I would like to hear the opinions of those familiar with it- regarding reliability, ease of use stong and wek points, and problems with spares.
Click to expand...

I was in the same position several years ago. I remembered wanting one in the 70's when they came out, and decided to try one. I kept it for a while, shot a few rolls, and sold it. Here's why:

1. It doesn't do anything I couldn't do with my M6; yet it is bigger and heavier.
2. I didn't like the bottom rewind.
3. It lacked the 28mm finder frame, so actually it didn't so as much as my M6.
4. I didn't like the way the winding lever sticks up above the top plate. It was always catching on things, like the egde of the camera bag when putting it away.

Something said about the M5 in its defense, is that the light meter is more sensitive than that of the M6. That's nice, but since it is illuminated by ambient light, when it was dark enough to need that extra sensitivity, I couldn't see the meter.

The strongest positive for it, I think, is the shutter spped dial, which is easy to adjust with a finger-tip.

I find the M5 more interesting from an historical standpoint than as a shooter.

Just my $0.03 (inflation affects everything). YMMV!
 
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