Topdog1
Well-known
I know the M6 finder has flare that can be fixed with what is referred to as a "MP viewfinder installation", the same condenser lens that the MP uses to eliminate this problem. I have never heard of this problem on a M5, but I have a M5 I recently bought that seems to exhibit the flare problem when trying to focus head-on into bright light sources, like incandescent bulbs indoors.
Does anyone know if the M5 suffers from this problem, like the M6, and is it fixable with the same "MP finder" fix?
Thanks,
Ira
Does anyone know if the M5 suffers from this problem, like the M6, and is it fixable with the same "MP finder" fix?
Thanks,
Ira
ChrisN
Striving
Stephen Gandy lists the M5 alongside the M4 as:
"Older RF design which does not have the rangefinder flare problem of later M's"
http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm
Mine's off with Sherry Krauter at the moment for a complete clean and service. I'm looking forward to seeing how the viewfinder looks after the service.
"Older RF design which does not have the rangefinder flare problem of later M's"
http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm
Mine's off with Sherry Krauter at the moment for a complete clean and service. I'm looking forward to seeing how the viewfinder looks after the service.
Topdog1
Well-known
How much is Sherry charging for that? I take mine to Essex Camera Repair in Carlstadt, NJ. They've always done fine work on my Ms but tend to be pricey. A full CLA on a M body runs $225-$260.
/Ira
/Ira
dreamsandart
Well-known
I think the M5 has the best finder in an M-series: full screw adjustments ( not glued together as in the later M-series ), natural color (unlike the earlier M2/M3 slightly blue tint), flare resistant 'multi' coated, and built-in frame lines for the metered area AND shutter speeds ( the only M-series with this ). But it does have the RF 'white-out' flare problem now and then as any of the .72 finders have, but much less so than later production cameras up till the MP.
Usually the RF white-out in the .72 finder comes from strong side light entering the frame illumination window to the left. The M5s style RF illumination window may help in this a bit. If what you are talking about is finder flare and not just the rangefinder patch, a cleaned finder without haze does wonders to any M-series.
The 'fix' you mention is a re-introduced [plastic] lens installed like in the new MP. The older Wetzlar cameras like the M5 actually have a glass lens - not plastic - that was eliminated from the original design in late production cost cutting of the M4-2 and on till the MP.
Keeping your eye centered perfectly helps too, but still does not eliminate the white-out problem totally. Only an M3 finder will do that, the other 'best finder' for many.
Usually the RF white-out in the .72 finder comes from strong side light entering the frame illumination window to the left. The M5s style RF illumination window may help in this a bit. If what you are talking about is finder flare and not just the rangefinder patch, a cleaned finder without haze does wonders to any M-series.
The 'fix' you mention is a re-introduced [plastic] lens installed like in the new MP. The older Wetzlar cameras like the M5 actually have a glass lens - not plastic - that was eliminated from the original design in late production cost cutting of the M4-2 and on till the MP.
Keeping your eye centered perfectly helps too, but still does not eliminate the white-out problem totally. Only an M3 finder will do that, the other 'best finder' for many.
Topdog1
Well-known
Thanks all for your advice on this. I just figured out the problem. The rangefinder patch wasn't just flaring - it was disappearing. Then I noticed that by tilting the camera back and forth I could make it reappear. Then I noticed that on a M5 body, my finger sometimes tends to rest on top of the rangefinder window. Voila - problem solved. Just another case of user error!
Regards,
Ira
Regards,
Ira