M6 Classic or M5?

[wakarimasen]

Which would you buy if:

• you already have an M2 and M4-P
• you wanted a metered 'M'
• you have 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses
• the M5 was approximately £100 cheaper than the M6 Classic

 

[jsrockit]

The M6 was my favorite film camera... of all of the ones I've owned. I never had the M7 or MP though.

You could always sell the M4-P and get both a M5 and M6!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I've had an M2, M4-P, and M7, but I think the M6 Classic is my favorite film M. That said, I'm awfully curious about the M5 and would like to try one, someday. Is the M5 in question in a shop, where you can handle it a bit, and see if you like how it feels?

 

[giulio stucchi]

I have never hold an M5 but as far as I heard the frame lines are much more accurate compared to the ones on the M6 if this matter to you.

The M6 will have the same ergonomics as your M2 and M4-P while the M5 will be a different beast.

I have 2x M2 and added an M6 classic leitz as metered body and I am pretty happy with it.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Every Leica film enthusiast should at least try the M5. The M5 is in fit and finish a grade higher than the other M cameras. The frames in the viewfinder are just perfect. The lightmeter gives more information about the light than the lightmeter of the M6 and is never distracting. The meter is just there if you want to consult it. You can read the shutterspeed in the viewfinder. You can change the shutterspeed without taking the camera from your eye. The release of the shutter is smoother than that of the M6. You can use all intermediate speeds. Loading and rewinding the film is faster (if you know how to do it). The pictures are sharper because there is less shutter vibration. It is simply a better camera than the M6. Watch out, when you try it you are addicted. See the work of the great Japanese photographer Junku Nishimura. He too uses the M5. The rangefinder never flares. 1/8 sec is easy done handheld. There is a self timer. The frame counter has white numerals on a black background, reads much easier. There are no double frames in the finder.

Erik.

 

[mpaniagua]

Got both the M5 and M6. The M5 viewfinder is gorgeous. It seems more bright and clear to me than the M6 one. Like Erik said, I like its frames better that the other M Leicas I have (M4-P and M3) meter is better. That said, M6 is still my favorite. Ergonomics (for my hands at least) ?; I dont know, it just feel perfect on me. I would say it boils down to personal preference. Safest way to choose one is to handle one M5 and M6 side by side and see which one fits better on you (like a pair of shoes).

Marcelo

 

[KismetSky]

Something to consider between the M5 and M6.

M5 - shutter cocked, light meter on indefinitely (will turn 'off' by using a lens cap)
M6 - shutter cocked, light meter turns on with half shutter press

If you're like me and like to have the camera at the ready (shutter cocked, lens cap off), this may affect your decision. I would have to replace the battery more often on the M5 with my style of shooting.

 

[ramosa]

The M6 Classic is my favorite camera all time. I had M6-M9--and then recently returned to the M6 Classic. The size and weight are perfect IMHO, and it has everything I need (e.g., light meter), but nothing more (e.g., auto-exposure of M7).

 

[ktmrider]

Same Situation-M5, M6 or even MP

Same Situation-M5, M6 or even MP

I voted for the M5 not because it is better then the M6 but because I have never owned one.

I am facing the same decision. I have two identical 1959 M2's (favorite M), an M9 and a R6.2. A friend wants to trade me a MF camera for one of my M2's so I may shortly be down to one film M.

Now, I have owned all the M models up to the MP/M7. Sherry has an M5 on her site and Tamarin has a couple used ones as well. I am giving serious thought to trying the M5 but the reason the M2 is my favorite M is the simplicity of the view finder. The M5 looks pretty cluttered but no more so then the M6.

And I am even considering an MA or MP but do not think they are worth the extra $2000-3500 over a M2/4/6.

 

[BillBingham2]

I've had the M6 and a M4-P, M5 gets my vote.

... Sherry has an M5 on her site.....

If I were looking for a M5 she is who I would buy one from. I would trust any M from site to be 120% of new operationally.

B2 (;->

 

[Markus B]

I got both and I perfer the M5 in every way except that I find it a bit bulky and, for whats it is worth, I like the classic Leica M shape better (but what does that have to do with photography?) and I also have kind of emotional connection to it. The biggest drawback regarding the M6 for me is the viewfinder flare issue, lack of self timer and the fragile rewind lever.

I would definitely go for the M5, worst case scenario: You don't like it, sell it with minimal loss and buy a M6 instead 🙂

 

[wakarimasen]

Both the cameras are from a dealer!

 

[ktmrider]

I am only hesitating on the M5 because I have never handled one. I may be at Tamarin in two weeks so I would have a chance to check it out. Also, I want to see how this trade for a MF (6X4.5) works out as I really think owning three film M's is too much.

And I may trade my R6.2 for another M. Guess I am at the point where I really do not want to spend more money on photography but would enjoy doing some horse trading.

 

[BLKRCAT]

M5 all day long.

 

[rolfe]

The M5 was such a colossal failure that it almost destroyed the company. Bringing back the M4 saved it. Case closed.

 

[jsrockit]

The M5 was such a colossal failure that it almost destroyed the company. Bringing back the M4 saved it. Case closed.

Yeah, the M5 has more fans in this thread than I've met in the whole 25 years I've paid attention to Leica.

 

[cqing]

I'm in favor of M5:
1. It is made of brass instead of Zinc alloy(Please search for M6 top plate bubble problem).
2. The M5 was the last model to be assembled according to Leica's traditional individual parts hand adjusted methods. It is considered as the last "classic" Leica M body.
3. Spot metering instead of weighted averaging techniques.
4. Large shutter speed dial which is easy to turn.(Even easier than M6TTL).

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have combination of M2 and M4-P. M4-2. Don't need second one, but if I ever, M4-P or M2. 🙂

M5 is too big and shapes aren't Leica ones. Some M6 top plates looks like plastic and leatherette feels like purse.

Think twice!
I've had TTL, non AE, RF camera prior to M4-2 and after 1+ year of use it made me feel slow and stupid. I've lost sense of light and exposure. It was scary feel 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

It is considered as the last "classic" Leica M body.

Really? I think that's the M4.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The M5 was such a colossal failure that it almost destroyed the company. Bringing back the M4 saved it. Case closed.

The M5 was a commercial failure, not a technical failure. Its market was destroyed by the stupid move from Leitz to introduce the CL. The CL was bought by many potential M5 buyers, but it was in fact an unreliable product from wich Minolta profited more than Leitz.


Erik.