Nokton48
Veteran
I will also recommend the Domke Gripper strap for your M5, that's what I'm happy with, especially if I'm using a big lens.
Remove the rings and it goes on no problems. Have one on my M2, as well.
Remove the rings and it goes on no problems. Have one on my M2, as well.
venchka
Veteran
Bigfoot lives in half of a Leica ever ready case and is supported by the case's original strap. Bubba hangs out on the Domke Gripper that he came with. I have at least 3 Op-Tech straps doing nothing. One of these days I'll remember to try them on an M5.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Mine has a common Tamrac black and silver "flame" pattern strap that's mainly used on SLRs, with plastic quick release tabs so the main part of the strap can be removed for packing (or to use with another camera with the same system). The color scheme goes well with the black chrome, and the width of the strap fits the two end lugs very nicely.
roundg
Well-known
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
here are mine
Black for "black-and-white" and chrome for "chromes" I guess... Beauty's
PaulRicciardi
Established
Ya know, the M5 is really growing on me...roundg, those are both lovely
pkuglin
Established
Personally I reallty enjoy the M5. Love the meter presentation in the VF.
My twin M5 setup.
M5 dual lug with 50/2 DR
a M5 dual lug with 50/2
My twin M5 setup.
M5 dual lug with 50/2 DR
a M5 dual lug with 50/2
venchka
Veteran
At times like this I wish Bubba had the chrome finish.
Nokton48
Veteran
Here's M5..........
Here's M5..........
With M5 case from Mr Zhou, E-clypse rubber eyecup, Domke Gripper strap, 50mm Rigid Summicron w/R1 E39 Wetzlar filter, hairtie, and TomA Softie.
BTW M5's spot meter is -awesome- at reading through the E39 Wetzlar colored filters. Exposures are right on the nose, so far.
Here's M5..........
With M5 case from Mr Zhou, E-clypse rubber eyecup, Domke Gripper strap, 50mm Rigid Summicron w/R1 E39 Wetzlar filter, hairtie, and TomA Softie.
BTW M5's spot meter is -awesome- at reading through the E39 Wetzlar colored filters. Exposures are right on the nose, so far.
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maddoc
... likes film again.
These silver-chrome M5 look all very tempting ... 
But no way, not another camera .... :bang:
But no way, not another camera .... :bang:
chris7521
Well-known
The M5 was my first Leica and it's my favorite. I think it is a beautiful camera in black. Sure it is not compact like other Leica's but, it works as good as any of them. There will always be people who love it and for many like me, it's not because it is some curiosity.
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HuubL
hunter-gatherer
These silver-chrome M5 look all very tempting ...
Oh oh, that sounds like you've been infected... I bet you'll have one within two months...
J J Kapsberger
Well-known
I think it is a beautiful camera in black.
Yes, there's definitely a black M5 in my future.
I pity the detractors. They just don't know real sexiness when they see it.
visiondr
cyclic iconoclast
J J Kapsberger
Well-known
Yes, like your fellow cyclists. Exactly. (Now I know why you're into that)
visiondr
cyclic iconoclast
Oh, you, my friend, are one funny guy! All the women cyclists I know are petite without hirsutism.
Rui Morais de Sousa
Established
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
I also use a Leica M5 for some years now, and I've been somewhat amazed how people's minds have changed over the years. If I remember well, I bought mine in Photo Reichardt in Wiesbaden, Germany, around 1980. I was living in Germany then. Bought it used, in mint condition. I already had other M models, so using a Leica was not new to me. In those times, the M5 was enjoying, at least in Germany, the cult status of the best camera Leitz had ever built. People praised not only the light-meter, by then a novelty by Leica, but also the shutter quietness, the protruding shutter speed dial, the built quality, and so on and so on. Resuming: having a Leica M5 was the only way of really getting the Leica "nirvana", everything before was almost worthless (I am exagerating a little, but that was the kind of talking you could hear...).
So I find it strange to see the M5 guilty of beeing the worst Leica ever, something ugly and useless, etc., etc. "The camera that almost killed Leica!".
The M5 was introduced in 1971, so I think that maybe now we can be able to try to put it in perspective: it was not the M5 that ruined Leica. The phenomenon was general to all the very fine german camera industry. They somewhat overslept over their prestige and arroganz of it's leading post in the industry. When they finally woke up, the market was invaded by a much cheaper, in some ways a lot more modern, and after all not-that-bad competition. The japanese had done their home work and were taking over! Think about 1971: what do you think a pro (or somebody who wanted to look like one) wanted to buy then? A Nikon F, of course! Maybe a Canon, but probably not a rangefinder. Much less a much more expensive rangefinder! The rangefinder was old-fashion by then. We, rangefinder lovers just could sit and watch the market shrink and shrink... That was, in my opinion, paired with not so much interesting SLR models, what almost killed Leica, as it killed (or almost killed) so much more very fine german camera/optical companys: Zeiss Ikon, Exakta, Meyer Görlitz, Steinheil, Astro Berlin, Rollei, Voigtländer, and many more. No, the M5 was not to blame, it was then a very desirable camera, only to much expensive and out-dated by nature of the market. In fact, if we stop and think a little, it is a wonder that there are still rangefinders at all. Thank's God for the rangefinder renaissance! I surelly love rangefinders!
Back to M5: what do I think? That both sides (pro and con) exagerate. I don't think that the M5 is better than the M4, or any other M, but it surely is a damm good camera! I prefer the shape of the other M's, on my camera the protruding shutter-speed dial turns too easily so I don't notice that I am using a different speed than I set, the meter has "lazy" CDS cells (although very efficient!), the batteries are not easy to find, I don't enjoy the rewinding knob in the botton, and I don't aprecciate the two strap holders putting the camera sideways.
I know that there is a remedy for almost all said above (other mechanics built in the dial, converting the batterie chamber, mounting a third strap retainer, Luigi's half-case, etc), but I still can't change the size and weight of the camera. That can be even good for people with bigger hands, but I am a small type of guy. My hands prefer the round-shape.
My veredict: if you have already a M5 enjoy it, it's a great camera, if you can get one for a good price and in good shape, go for it if it suits your taste. But don't discard your other M's and go crazy looking for an M5, thinking only the M5 can take you to heaven. Both positions, pro and con, are using a lot of exageration! Rui
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
I also use a Leica M5 for some years now, and I've been somewhat amazed how people's minds have changed over the years. If I remember well, I bought mine in Photo Reichardt in Wiesbaden, Germany, around 1980. I was living in Germany then. Bought it used, in mint condition. I already had other M models, so using a Leica was not new to me. In those times, the M5 was enjoying, at least in Germany, the cult status of the best camera Leitz had ever built. People praised not only the light-meter, by then a novelty by Leica, but also the shutter quietness, the protruding shutter speed dial, the built quality, and so on and so on. Resuming: having a Leica M5 was the only way of really getting the Leica "nirvana", everything before was almost worthless (I am exagerating a little, but that was the kind of talking you could hear...).
So I find it strange to see the M5 guilty of beeing the worst Leica ever, something ugly and useless, etc., etc. "The camera that almost killed Leica!".
The M5 was introduced in 1971, so I think that maybe now we can be able to try to put it in perspective: it was not the M5 that ruined Leica. The phenomenon was general to all the very fine german camera industry. They somewhat overslept over their prestige and arroganz of it's leading post in the industry. When they finally woke up, the market was invaded by a much cheaper, in some ways a lot more modern, and after all not-that-bad competition. The japanese had done their home work and were taking over! Think about 1971: what do you think a pro (or somebody who wanted to look like one) wanted to buy then? A Nikon F, of course! Maybe a Canon, but probably not a rangefinder. Much less a much more expensive rangefinder! The rangefinder was old-fashion by then. We, rangefinder lovers just could sit and watch the market shrink and shrink... That was, in my opinion, paired with not so much interesting SLR models, what almost killed Leica, as it killed (or almost killed) so much more very fine german camera/optical companys: Zeiss Ikon, Exakta, Meyer Görlitz, Steinheil, Astro Berlin, Rollei, Voigtländer, and many more. No, the M5 was not to blame, it was then a very desirable camera, only to much expensive and out-dated by nature of the market. In fact, if we stop and think a little, it is a wonder that there are still rangefinders at all. Thank's God for the rangefinder renaissance! I surelly love rangefinders!
Back to M5: what do I think? That both sides (pro and con) exagerate. I don't think that the M5 is better than the M4, or any other M, but it surely is a damm good camera! I prefer the shape of the other M's, on my camera the protruding shutter-speed dial turns too easily so I don't notice that I am using a different speed than I set, the meter has "lazy" CDS cells (although very efficient!), the batteries are not easy to find, I don't enjoy the rewinding knob in the botton, and I don't aprecciate the two strap holders putting the camera sideways.
I know that there is a remedy for almost all said above (other mechanics built in the dial, converting the batterie chamber, mounting a third strap retainer, Luigi's half-case, etc), but I still can't change the size and weight of the camera. That can be even good for people with bigger hands, but I am a small type of guy. My hands prefer the round-shape.
My veredict: if you have already a M5 enjoy it, it's a great camera, if you can get one for a good price and in good shape, go for it if it suits your taste. But don't discard your other M's and go crazy looking for an M5, thinking only the M5 can take you to heaven. Both positions, pro and con, are using a lot of exageration! Rui
Krosya
Konicaze
Rui,
Thanks for your thoughts on this subject. Very interesting to know some historical facts and thoughts on M5.
As far as last part of your post - while I agree with some of it - having had Leica M3 and m6, I really am enjoying M5. My hands are not that large, yet I do like a bit larger size of M5. I absolutely LOVE shutter dial the way it as, as well as how meter is in a viewfinder. M5 feels ( I know - subjective) soooo much better than M6. Smoother, more solid in some ways I can''t really explain. And my M6 and m3 were both CLA'd. I also really like film rewind on M5 - it's nicely hidden out of the way, unlike one on M6 I always got caught on things, or very uncomfortable to use one that M3 has. Plus on M5 it's racheted! Awsome idea! Even when Leica went back to the "traditional" body style after M5 - I think they should have used some of the advancements from M5. But oh well, - I'm glad I decided to try M5, as for a while I thought I'd never get a Leica - other options just seemed better for me.
Is it a perfect camera? No, probably not, but as you say - it's a very good one!
Thanks for your thoughts on this subject. Very interesting to know some historical facts and thoughts on M5.
As far as last part of your post - while I agree with some of it - having had Leica M3 and m6, I really am enjoying M5. My hands are not that large, yet I do like a bit larger size of M5. I absolutely LOVE shutter dial the way it as, as well as how meter is in a viewfinder. M5 feels ( I know - subjective) soooo much better than M6. Smoother, more solid in some ways I can''t really explain. And my M6 and m3 were both CLA'd. I also really like film rewind on M5 - it's nicely hidden out of the way, unlike one on M6 I always got caught on things, or very uncomfortable to use one that M3 has. Plus on M5 it's racheted! Awsome idea! Even when Leica went back to the "traditional" body style after M5 - I think they should have used some of the advancements from M5. But oh well, - I'm glad I decided to try M5, as for a while I thought I'd never get a Leica - other options just seemed better for me.
Is it a perfect camera? No, probably not, but as you say - it's a very good one!
Rui Morais de Sousa
Established
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
Thanks for your answer Krosya.
We should better follow our own feelings, and stop caring so much about other people's minds. Sure, it is very interesting to know other user's opinions (that's why we are here in the forum talking with one another, right?), but in the end we should follow our intuitions and make our own decisions. What best suits me, might not suit you and vice-versa.
You are completely right: there is no such thing as The Perfect Camera! As much as I love Leicas (for over thirty years now!), I won't even think of using them for lots of jobs I (have to) do. For certain tasks, there are much better suited cameras, as it is also true that there are certain types of photography that are better mastered with a Leica. As you can see in the photograph above, I run the gammutt from 35mm (and digital, a kind of 35mm for me...), all the way up to 8x10 inches. If I could afford it, I might even be tempted by going larger/bigger...
Time has brought me a good lesson: I use the camera that I feel like using, or I think is better to use, I don't run behind what's fashionable, acceptable, political correct, or whatever. After all it is me who carries them and stucks my nose on them! It is me who presses the shutter!
I wish you a lot of fun and a lot of great images with your M5!
Rui
M5 - Rediscovering Leica
Thanks for your answer Krosya.
We should better follow our own feelings, and stop caring so much about other people's minds. Sure, it is very interesting to know other user's opinions (that's why we are here in the forum talking with one another, right?), but in the end we should follow our intuitions and make our own decisions. What best suits me, might not suit you and vice-versa.
You are completely right: there is no such thing as The Perfect Camera! As much as I love Leicas (for over thirty years now!), I won't even think of using them for lots of jobs I (have to) do. For certain tasks, there are much better suited cameras, as it is also true that there are certain types of photography that are better mastered with a Leica. As you can see in the photograph above, I run the gammutt from 35mm (and digital, a kind of 35mm for me...), all the way up to 8x10 inches. If I could afford it, I might even be tempted by going larger/bigger...
Time has brought me a good lesson: I use the camera that I feel like using, or I think is better to use, I don't run behind what's fashionable, acceptable, political correct, or whatever. After all it is me who carries them and stucks my nose on them! It is me who presses the shutter!
I wish you a lot of fun and a lot of great images with your M5!
Rui
HenningW
Well-known
I should preface this by stating that I started with a IIIg and Ig and a bunch of lenses, then when the M4 came out sold my screw mount kit and went M. When the M5 came out, I sold one of my M4's for it and used the M5 for 3 years.
There were definite pluses and minuses. I liked the viewfinder info and meter, even if it was sluggish. The concept of the overhanging shutter speed wheel was great; the execution not quite as good as it was rather floppy. The two side lugs were stupid; it made it very hard to use multiple cameras with different strap lengths like I and many others did. The bottom rewind didn't work at that time with Fuji films as they didn't have the lugs to make it possible. At least that's fixed now. I had my Super Angulon fixed so it didn't raise the meter arm, and the Hologon of course came with that fixed. I got a new 28/2.8, which was a bit better than the old one in any case.
Other things that've been mentioned, like loading, shutter quietness and smoothness were no different in my experience than M4.
So after three years it was gone. Unfortunately I then got an M4-2 to replace it, complete with winder. What a disaster, both the camera and the winder. I should have kept the M5 until the M6 came out. In any case, I traded the M4-2 in for an M4 again, and used those until well into the 80's.
The M6 lacked the nice viewfinder display, but the meter was better, it was a better fit for me. As for the big lens thing, I never felt the M5 was better or worse with the 50/1.2, 90/2 or 135/2.8.
Leica tried hard with the M5, but due to slow sales never got a chance to really develop and fix the things that needed it.
Henning
There were definite pluses and minuses. I liked the viewfinder info and meter, even if it was sluggish. The concept of the overhanging shutter speed wheel was great; the execution not quite as good as it was rather floppy. The two side lugs were stupid; it made it very hard to use multiple cameras with different strap lengths like I and many others did. The bottom rewind didn't work at that time with Fuji films as they didn't have the lugs to make it possible. At least that's fixed now. I had my Super Angulon fixed so it didn't raise the meter arm, and the Hologon of course came with that fixed. I got a new 28/2.8, which was a bit better than the old one in any case.
Other things that've been mentioned, like loading, shutter quietness and smoothness were no different in my experience than M4.
So after three years it was gone. Unfortunately I then got an M4-2 to replace it, complete with winder. What a disaster, both the camera and the winder. I should have kept the M5 until the M6 came out. In any case, I traded the M4-2 in for an M4 again, and used those until well into the 80's.
The M6 lacked the nice viewfinder display, but the meter was better, it was a better fit for me. As for the big lens thing, I never felt the M5 was better or worse with the 50/1.2, 90/2 or 135/2.8.
Leica tried hard with the M5, but due to slow sales never got a chance to really develop and fix the things that needed it.
Henning