M5 ?

[HuubL]

I'm wondering what I should do with a just obtained M5 that came with a nice 35mm v4 Summicron. I was mainly interested in the lens but the camera came with it as a back lens cap. The seller told me it was used by her father, a professional photographer and I have no doubts about that. It's a two lug, black, 1972 #1299xxx. There was an empty, regular 1.5V battery in it. Don't know if that means it's converted, but the meter works with a 1.35V Zn-air battery from my other M5. The camera has been well-used. It lacks parts of its vulcanite and has a couple of minor bumps, but functionally it seems good. Times run as they should, self timer runs well, viewfinder and rangefinder are clear and well aligned, film transport is supersmooth. It seems like a great shooter. If I didn't already have a nice chrome M5, I would certainly keep it.

So, what would you do in times like these with banks toppling over and money getting just as scarce as film does? Sell it? What would be a good price for what I described? I much doubt that 950 US$ as listed on Stephen's site is still the going price for 2-lug black M5s.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[sepiareverb]

Things are certainly not selling well these days. And who knows how long this will continue?

 

[awilder]

It would easily sell if the price is right but without pictures it's hard to guess. I'd say around +/- $600 as it's probably due for an overhaul to work well.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

List it on eBay with an opening bid of $1. When the auction closes, then you'll know...

 

[rlouzan]

Approximately $550 🙁

-----------------------------------------------------------
WANTED: Schalberg Strap/Strapateer/Strapteer.

Please send PM

Thanks

 

[kevin m]

M5's with serial numbers under 130k are not so popular on the used market. They are known to require expensive repairs to fix something with the winding mechanism, I believe. Since there are plenty of M5's in the 134-135 range available, the earlier cameras tend to sell quite a bit cheaper. 🙁

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

no 1287784 was not long ago sold on *bay at Euro 301. Description: black brassing.

 

[Carlos Cruz]

Send it to me ;D
EDIT If the meter's working and price is reasonable ;D

 

[HuubL]

M5's with serial numbers under 130k are not so popular on the used market. They are known to require expensive repairs to fix something with the winding mechanism, I believe. Since there are plenty of M5's in the 134-135 range available, the earlier cameras tend to sell quite a bit cheaper. 🙁

Yes, I read that somewhere. I wonder if this is true and if so, how often does the problem occur in older M5s. Also, was the problem fixed from #130000 exactly and were 12998xx camera's still prone to the problem? Anybody who can shed light on this. I searched the web, but couldn't find any reference to it.

 

[rlouzan]

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00I6Ju

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/0050Lr

 

[HuubL]

Thanks rlouzan.
Here are a couple of photos.

 

[Petroleum V. Nasby]

Looks much better than your description.

I predict $700+ on eBay.

Post a lot of pictures and just say you bought it with a lens, don't guarantee the working condition to factory specs, and leave it at that. Just say that by a casual inspection of the camera, most functions seem to be OK.

 

[HuubL]

You haven't seen the back yet 🙁

BTW, I checked the lightmeter and it's spot on with the one in my other M5. I guess that means that it's not converted for 1.5V batteries.

 

[rlouzan]

It lacks parts of its vulcanite.
fill them with black picien wax?

Back door
Can be repainted (ask digitalintrigue) or replaced.
http://www.rangefinderrestorations.com).they/

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

USD 700 ~ Euro 495 at the moment: think that is a bit too much for a cam in this state.

Here are some other *Bay prices from my database (in Euros):

M5 body black brassing 1287784 301
M5 body chrome near mint 1293138 543
M5 body 2 lug 1347694 437
M5 body black brassing 1352255 421
M5 body chrome near mint 1354875 765
M5 body chrome near mint 1356308 586

 

[pesphoto]

You do all realize that "M5" was the name of a killer, deranged computer gone horribly wrong on an old Star Trek episode...........

 

[HuubL]

USD 700 ~ Euro 495 at the moment: think that is a bit too much for a cam in this state.

Here are some other *Bay prices from my database (in Euros):

M5 body black brassing 1287784 301
M5 body chrome near mint 1293138 543
M5 body 2 lug 1347694 437
M5 body black brassing 1352255 421
M5 body chrome near mint 1354875 765
M5 body chrome near mint 1356308 586

Thanks for the list Ron. I guess that would put mine around 400 € (565 $). Let me think about it, perhaps I'll put it in the classifieds here.

 

[Nokton48]

I'd say $550-$600 in that condition.

I bought a chrome one 136XXX in that range not too long ago.

Should be no problem at all.