More Leica Decisions

[1750Shooter]

Looked at an M5 & really liked it. I know it's supposed to be big, but I usually use a Bronica SQ-AM so that's subjevtive. Camera shop says they're not real popular with "Leicaphiles", but couldn't give me a reason. Is there any problem? I like having a TTL meter. Should I be looking at another model? It will be used exclusively for street work, probably with a 28 or 35mm lens. Thanks for any advice.

 

[rover]

It looks different, so no, it wasn't popular.

That said, it is a Leica M, how bad could it be?

If you like it nothing else matters.

 

[DonaldJ.]

As said above me, if you like something, you shouldn't worry about other peoples opinion if the camera works for you.

 

[Peter Klein]

Sherry Krauter, one of the prima Leica repair people on the planet, speaks very highly of the M5. It didn't sell well because it is a bit bigger than the classic M. But it has TTL metering (using mercury batteries, unfortunately). It should work as well as any M. The real question is: How does it feel in your hands? That matters more than what anyone else thinks.

 

[Steinberg2010]

I have one and love it – most usable camera I have bought I think.

~S

 

[damonsong]

I personally love this camera, I have read lots of bad comments on the internet as well, but until I actually have one in my hand I am in love with it, so dont always believe what you read, to each their own opinion! 😛

 

[johannielscom]

Had one and sold it to fund something else. Something that I can't remember while I do remember the M5... dang.

On this forum I read that Sherry is wary of the M5's with <135xxxx serial, they seem to be at risk of developing a crack in the shutter drum that requires to take the whole camera apart to fix. As a result, she supposedly does not work on M5's <135xxxx. This is over a year old info, so you might wanna call her about it.

Great camera's. The M5 crowd here is very selective, you will have to learn the secret handshake. It's just as quirky.😀

 

[LeicaFan]

The M5 doesn't resemble any other M. It is, in essence, the ugly duckling. For that reason alone, I think most people didn't want to bother with it.

The M5 was the first "modern" Leica, meaning that it had a built in meter, but I remember reading that it cost much more than the M4 which would be another reason why it never saw the same popularity as the other M bodies. I'm sure Leica realized that straying away from the classic look was not a good idea, which is why every Leica that came after the M5 resembles the classic bodies.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I'd go with an M6. It has a more reliable meter that uses modern batteries and it has 28mm framelines in the finder. The M5 finder only goes to 35mm.

 

[filmtwit]

The M5 is most ergonomic of the Leica and is really brilliant camera, but as already noted, stay away from the early serial numbered versions of this camera. BTW - Sheri (or any good camera tech) can change the battery to use a more modern battery.

 

[35mmdelux]

Why buy an outlier unless you know why you're buying it? M5 does NOT have TTL, only a exposure meter as a few others. Cameras with TTL: M6TTL, M7TTL.

 

[splitimageview]

The M5 meter cell pops into place behind the lens, so it indeed is TTL. Unless you are talking about flash metering. 🙂

 

[richardhkirkando]

The M5's meter is (warning: opnions ahead) the best in-camera meter I've ever used. It's a very accurate spot meter, and it has a logical and easy-to-read matching needle display. The shutter dial and film advance are much better ergonomically (for me) compared to other Ms. It definitely feels bigger than the other Ms, which may or may not be a good thing for you - the M5 feels more balanced with larger lenses, but I personally still prefer the smaller size of the other bodies.

The size and no 28mm framelines are the only real drawback IMO, and if those don't bother you, go right ahead.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's easily the best Ergo of the M's IMO. The shutter speed dial overhang with co-axial shutter button is the best thing Leica ever did in regards to shutter control.
I like the meter best as well. Yes it's a "spot" meter which is great. Seeing where you are as far as over under is also great.
LED dots in the M6 sort of "blinded" me at night/dark shooting a few times. I prefer the match needle of the M5.
It's quite personal. The thing is for most people who have an opinion... they tried both m5 and m6.
You may eventually do the same so, take the m5 trial now while you have the chance 😀

BTW I have 2 M5's now and one of them is changed to the M6 frame lines with 28 and 75 lines added . A pretty painless process for Sherry to do. Around $200 including MP upgrade if I remember correctly.

 

[35mmdelux]

The M5's meter is (warning: opnions ahead) the best in-camera meter I've ever used. It's a very accurate spot meter, and it has a logical and easy-to-read matching needle display......

The meter is 1960's technology not at it's best in my humble opinion, functioning like the warning arm signs at the railroad crossing. Leica dumped that technology fast because the "railroad arms" had a habit of getting stuck.....Some swear by the M5, be that as it may.

In Leicadom, its said that the M5 was a tough camera enough to hammer a post. Hopefully it wont throw the RF out of whack;-)

 

[Richard G]

More room to put the left hand on the body, self-timer - very handy, ratcheted rewind crank recessed in the baseplate, better ISO selection switch, vertical hanging which is very stable and removes unwanted lugs from the right side of the camera, unless you get the later 3 lug which some of us do not prefer. Leitz really thought this one through very carefully. It's a great camera, very balanced for big 50s, 90s and easier to keep level or perfectly upright for 25s and wider. It feels great in your hands. It is bigger and it is heavier. But I looked at some Zeiss ZF lenses this morning: they're huge, except the 50 Planar 1.4. You are right, after the Bronica an M5 will be small enough.

 

[jordanstarr]

When I emailed Youxin Ye to see if he had any used Leicas in stock (he sometimes has used Leica's that he repairs and CLAs), he said "not at the moment. By the way, avoid getting the M5". I'm not sure what is reasoning was, if it was lack of replacement parts, poor build quality or what, but considering he probably knows more about Leicas than anyone on this forum, I would weigh somewhat heavy on that advice. I usually do not use the "appeal to authority" argument, but in this case, I think it's fitting. Too bad he didn't give me an explanation.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I'd trust Sherry K. over Youxin every single day of the week on matters that had to do with camera repair. Granted, I love the service that Youxin does but it's different from having a veteran factory technician work the camera over and say "the next time you need parts replaced, film may not be available anymore." I trust them both but I trust Sherry explicitly with any piece of Leica gear.

Phil Forrest

 

[damonsong]

Maybe you should ask him what is the reason behind it, and see if that bothers you that much.

 

[Spicy]

When i went to visit him over Thanksgiving, we chatted a bit about it. He said that they're complicated, and the reason he prefers the "normal" Ms is because they follow the engineering principle of being as simple as possible to get the job done.

the M5 utilizes some complicated means to the end of being an excellent camera. the other Ms use less complicated means to do the minimum necessary to do everything you need and nothing you don't.