m5 or not m5

[johannielscom]

...Just dont collapse a lens all the way in you will ruin the meter. ...

Most lenses can be collapsed on the M5, but only when used by very conciencious users that have no trouble always following protocol: The meter only swings in the way of the lens when the shutter is cocked. Collapsing a lens on an uncocked camera works just fine, you need to be absolutely certain you will always pull out the lens before cocking the shutter.

Only exception to this that I know of: the Summar LTM lenses can be collapsed on the M5 when it's cocked (and they can also be collapsed on the M8 sensor without any risk)

 

[Carlos Cruz]

shhh... can't you give all positive details in PMs and post here for general public the usual comments: 'it's ugly, too big, not leicish enough' We don't want whole world to know about m5 ;-]

 

[venchka]

I'll never understand the comments about the looks of the M5. That should never enter into the thinking about any camera. You hear the same about boats too. When you are using either, you don't see them. You feel them. You hear them. You work with them. You don't look at them. In fact, when a camera is in it's working position, you can't see much of it at all.

Thanks for the price update as well. Bubba doesn't need to find a new home right now. Besides, I wouldn't know what to do with the money. 50mm CF-FLE maybe????????

 

[ferider]

Handle it and compare it to an M6 yourself. Check available framelines, and what lenses you want to shoot.

I'm not saying the M5 is a bad camera. But neither is the M6. Really, it's a very personal decision and only you can decide.

I have a beat up M6 with MP finder that goes anywhere with me. Very robust and reliable. I understand why somebody could pick an M5 over an M6. I never understood why somebody would pick an MP over an M6.

For what it's worth, here are M production numbers until 1999. I was surprised when I saw this, but I happen to like the most built Leicas (M2, M3, M6) best:

 

[Krosya]

M5 is the best Leica I have ever used. Thats after having M3 and M6. Best design, very well made and it's a thing of a beauty. As a matter of fact, right now it the only "Leica" piece of gear I have now:

 

[sepiareverb]

I'm a fan too. I shoot M7's and MP's more than my M5, but whenever I take it out I'm surprised how comfortable it is in the hand. I have modified a Rapidgrip to fit my M5, which helps as I have arthritis, and both the shutter speed dial and metering readout in the VF are the best of any M I think. Bottom rewind is a non-issue.

I'd not hesitate to recommend an M5 to anyone unconcerned with the looks- but I'm among those who like the looks of the M5. Meter is absolutely fantastic- one can expose very accurately with it. Why don't I shoot it more often? It usually has either ISO 800 or ISO 25 film in it, because of the meter, and I'm not often shooting in the dark or after that smooth look from the 25. Right now it is my K64 family snapshots camera as I work my way through the last of my Kodachrome.

 

[capitalK]

I JUST got the Zhou case, so I'm going to see how that effects the ergonomics. My Bessa is too small without the case but when I add it then it feels perfect. Hopefully the case doesn't make the M5 too big.

Here's mine:

 

[f16sunshine]

I love the shutter speed dial on the M5.
There is never a need to search for it.
I suppose you would get used to any camera in that regard.
With the M5 it is simply intuitive and easy to keep your eye at the VF.
The body is a bit longer sure. Not sure how someone could complain.
I bought one for use with fast and Portrait FL lenses. The longer body seems to balance those heavy lenses well. Last week I had a CV 21 and external VF on it.
Also a great camera for wides. As someone else has remarked. At the price you have a safe opportunity to try it and resell for full return if you do not like it.

 

[Nokton48]

I love mine (see Avatar) and have used it more than my M2 or M4-2 recently. The Meter and Build Quality are absolutely awesome. Mr. Zhou has M5 cases available, again. I highly recommend once again (see Avatar).

"Reminder: have the bottoms of diagonal lines touch and not the lines cross when in low light to correct the lack of sensitivity in the CDS cell and you'll be fine!"

Thank You for This! I am curious, from where did you pick this bit of M5 info up?
__________________

 

[rxmd]

Then again, the M5 meter is already pretty accurate in low light:

(M5, Skopar 21@f4, 1/4s, Fuji Superia 800)

 

[johannielscom]

"Reminder: have the bottoms of diagonal lines touch and not the lines cross when in low light to correct the lack of sensitivity in the CDS cell and you'll be fine!"

I figured this out from experience.

On another thread, I read a post by a former owner who'd gotten rid of the camera since the meter wasn't reliable enough in low light.

Someone suggested the CDS cell isn't suited for low light readings, which I know to be true from other meters.

I just figured out my own exposure compensation from there. In general, according to the meter you overexpose approx. one stop while in fact the meter is off in low light.

Also, I usally rate my films at 2/3 speed, which creates some latitude as well. The set film speeds nicely fit the M8 ISO's: 200 film I set at 160, 400 at 320. M8 files most of the time are slightly overexposed, as are the M5 daylight shots. When scanning, I correct this and the result is films with finer grain and nicely saturated colors. When shot in low light, I usually do not correct lighting, only color.

It's not fail safe, but increases the number of well exposed shots for sure.

YMMV, though it's worth the try, I reckon.

 

[carlottaryan]

my father had an m5, awesome thing, wish he'd passed it on but sold it.
anyways here's the thing- red dot cameras in hoxton have an m5 for £395 i just saw searching for something else tonight, you say no to bartering but might want to be ruthless and pick that up instead?
though i guess for that price must be pretty seriously dodgio.. but if you were feeling brave?😛

 

[bobbyyoung]

thanks again everyone, especially all these detailed tips..
(thanks for the pointer charlotta, will have a look, though i suppose you're right about the price/condition, as well as the ethics!)

 

[tim_c]

It's a Leica so it's a great camera. It's really big though. If you don't care about size then there are better cameras to be had for the money. R series SLRs are cheap is you want to use Leica optics. If I was buying my first Leica again I'd get an M3 from Red Dot or Ffordes and learn how to shoot without a light meter. Leica users managed without them for years.

 

[sepiareverb]

"really big" seems an overstatement. An F5 is really big. An M5 is a little bit bigger than an M1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9.

 

[rxmd]

It's a Leica so it's a great camera. It's really big though.

If you think an M5 is really big, take a look at this thread and find the Really Big camera.

 

[richardl]

M5 Resources

M5 Resources

The wiki entry for the M5 is quite complete at this stage, and lists most of the resources needs of the top to work with the camera:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M5

Its a great camera.

Richard

 

[roundg]

I sold my M6 and keep my two M5s. Reason is simple, M5 is the most well designed and built Leica M.

 

[venchka]

Big? Run a roll of film through a Hasselblad. Then run a roll of film through a Pentax 6x7. Then pick up Bigfoot & Bubba. Feels like a couple wee P&S cameras. BTW, the M5 is the same depth and height and only 1/4" (6mm) longer than a Canon VI-T.

It's all relative.

 

[bobbyyoung]

Thank you everyone for you advice.. I've been away and have come back determined to get the M5 only to find an odd thing has happened...
The m5 owner and friend etc who was going to sell their camera to me has decided to keep it.. Reason: he read the thread and realised he couldn't part with it! There's a lesson.. Back to the drawing board!