M5 - Re-Discovering Leica

[Tuolumne]

I get my Wein cell PX625 replacements from Sammy's Camera. Since when is $6.29 for a camera battery expensive? It's about the cost of 1-2 rolls of film, and it lasts forever. I don't really understand the issue here.

/T

 

[venchka]

Let it be noted that this is the first M5 Celebration Thread of 2009.

Wein Cells: No worries. No problem. Not expensive at all.

However, the Wein cell is a 675 hearing aid battery in a spacer/washer gizmo to make it fit in cameras. For the very Budget Constrained, the battery & washer can be seperated and cheap cheap cheap 675 hearing aid batteries can be substuted. One more tip for the Budget Hampered: If the hearing aid battery has 4 holes, cover two with a speck of clear nail polish. They may last longer that way.

Always leave your M5 shutter uncocked. That does more for battery life than anything else you can do.

here you go. 30 675 batteries for $15. Isn't that 50 cents each? After buying two Wein cells of course.

http://shopping.microbattery.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a010c441f4361648aa2174044f1a2cea3a0a6589376.e3eTa3aSaxmTe34Pa38Ta38Nchr0?it=A&id=6252&sc=2&category=694

Case closed on the M5 battery non-problem.

 

[lemalk]

Glad to see such appreciation for the M5.
I love mine - and after seeing local quickie labs (Target, etc.) stop locally developing film - I'm left with two options: re-learn to develop my own or wait for the lab (and eat through my budget).

It was my first M, so I didn't know what everyone else was complaining about. It feels solid, nice and heavy and it is great to shoot with.

When my M8 finally came in the mail, I was surprised at how light and chintzy it felt next to the M5.

As far as the battery issue, I also use 675 batteries with a rubber ring around it to secure it in place. I have noticed that the meter accuracy starts to dissipate after a couple of months (thank goodness for the ability to check the battery level).

As other, more established RFFers have noted, welcome to the club.

 

[bcostin]

I think I liked it better when all the "real" Leica owners hated the M5. Back then I had a chance of maybe affording one. 🙂

 

[venchka]

Sorry. We'll shut up.

 

[Nokton48]

If you leave the lens tightly capped, you don't need to leave the shutter uncocked.

 

[Keith]

The attitude by the non believers here at RFF to the M5 is tame compared to p.net.

I mentioned in a thread there a long time ago that I had an M5 and someone told me it was a ... "butt ugly piece of sh!t."

They're nice like that over there!

 

[FrankS]

Keith's old M5 came to me, and after a bit I passed it along to Madoc (Gabor).

I've had and sold (or traded) an M2, M3, M5, and M6, as well as a few CL's, a few Bessa R's, an R2, a Canon 7, and a Canon VI-L.

I've re-bought and now have 2 M2's and a CL.

The M5 is a camera that you either "click" with, or you don't. Everyone has different taste buds.

 

[sepiareverb]

On my M5 the take-up spool can be pulled out. With the base plate off, hold the camera right side up so that gravity causes the spool to extend out enough for you to get hold of it. Carefully pull it out. The film can be loaded in similar fashion to an M2/M3. Does yours have this feature?

I never thought to try this, but I shall the next time I load. I've got some Fuji 800 in the M5 now, a third of a roll left, but a rather bright day again tomorrow. Perhaps I'll pull out an ND filter...

Oh to the OP: with a slight modification a Rapidgrip can be fitted to the M5- my arthritic hand is much happier that way.

 

[Krosya]

Oh to the OP: with a slight modification a Rapidgrip can be fitted to the M5- my arthritic hand is much happier that way.

Thanks for the info. Could you post a pic of how this works with the grip - as it was going to be my next purchase?

 

[Krosya]

Here is my new toy:

 

[maddoc]

Looks nice !! 🙂 Welcome to the club ! 😀😎

 

[lemalk]

Wow... VERY nice...makes me want to finish off this roll in the M5 now just to fondle the damn thing.
:angel:

 

[KoNickon]

The M5 is the apotheosis of Leica rangefinder development. Everything after it is a reworking of familiar themes.

There, I've said it.

 

[Krosya]

Just took a closer look - and yep - film spool comes out if needed, but I prefer to load it while it's in the camera. But anyway- thanks for the tip.

So, now I have another question - whats a good strap for the M5 - mine is 2 lug version, so any good straps for it out there? Or regular straps should work Ok? Mine came with a very generic one and I'll want to upgrade.

 

[hans voralberg]

Artist & Artisan strap 😉 Or Luigi, I use Luigi strap and love them

 

[maddoc]

Artist & Artisan ... (I had a spare one so it was an easy choice 😀)

 

[Krosya]

Could you post a pic of what that Artist & Artisan looks like on M5, please?

 

[sepiareverb]

I've got a Domke gripper on my M5- just undid the straps to take off the rings, and threaded it onto the camera.

 

[kdemas]

Congrats to the OP on the new M5... you're going to love it. I too use a Domke gripper on it, works nicely.

On the subject of batteries I believe one advantage in using the Wein air cell is that it holds its voltage all the way until it croaks, unlike traditional batteries. I have had a great deal of luck with them so far, no issue.

Anyway, enjoy the M5 and welcome to the "club"!

Kent