Most Maligned Leica M Model

[css9450]

Only in the Leica world does the best camera lead in the "Most Maligned" poll by more than double the runner-up. And by more than 4 to 1 over the next-highest film camera.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, I agree that the M5 was a brilliant camera in design and build. I had one for a short while, but ergonomically it didn't work for me at all. The classic M bodies on the other hand, fit me like a glove.

A couple of years ago I was thinking the same as you, but now I see that my best pictures are made with the M5.

O, yes, I love to go out with the Leicas III, M3 and M2, but the M5 just delivers more precision and more successful shots.

The M5 is designed as a camera that could take on cameras like the Nikon F2 and the Canon F1: the strengths of SLR cameras are also the strengths of the M5, where the M5 naturally has the advantage of lower weight and smaller and better lenses.

Erik.

 

[BLKRCAT]

😎😎

thumbs up

 

[ckuwajima]

What about the rangefinderless M1?

 

[Deleted member 65559]

What about the rangefinderless M1?

M1, MD, MD-2
These cameras had a distinct use..... with a microscope or telescope....or you could use them with a visoflex. They were purpose-built: scientific use. No reason to malign them.

 

[Shab]

I have had M5, M8, M9. Also, I have play with a M2. My "best" goes for the M5... but I know, it isn't the camera for everybody, and I don't NEED it to be in that way.

Sometimes it seems there is people who needs to have the camera that is the best for everybody... or said in another way, they need that other say "Hey, your camera is the best one". Is it your case?

I don't understand this type/kind of threads...

 

[Rob-F]

Some M5 fans then would say: "my hands are very large" ...

My hands are fairly large! And I did pretty well with my M5 this past summer. Maybe there is a connection.

 

[ktmrider]

Which is the most maligned camera? The polls show that it is the M5. Which is the most advanced ergonomically and easiest to use? Well, again that argument could be for the M5.

I purchased my first Leica camera in 1974 when I decided to get rid of the Nikon F's and that I no longer wished to follow photojournalism as a career. I have owned the Leica CL, M3, M2 (several times), M4, M4-2, M4P, M6, M6TTL along with the M9 and now MP240. I had never shot with an M5 until two years ago when I purchased one from Sherry just for the hell of it. It is now my favorite film M followed closely by the M2 and M4.

Yes, it does not have the classic lines of an M film camera but neither does a Hasselblad or Nikon F. The M5 was in development for over a decade and would have had the same effect on rangefinders as the M3 did on screw mount development. Unfortunatly, it was introduced about the same time that SLR's were taking over 35mm photography which consigned Leica cameras to a niche which is where they are still located today.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

The M5 is the 'most maligned' -- but it doesn't follow that it is the one I hate the most. In fact, I don't hate any Leica. I love my M5 -- it is quite the picture taking machine. Wonderful ergonomics, possibly the best finder in the optical M line-up etc. etc.

 

[Richard G]

Well, aside from all the lenses (and the aqueduct and the sanitation and...)

“PEOPLE’S front.”

 

[Richard G]

And the least? Look at the bar graph. My trusty M2. (Love my M5 too.)

 

[Huss]

The worst is the MDa: no viewfinder!

Erik.

My MDa, along with my 1F, are the only film Leicas I've owned that have never had rangefinder drift...
Fantastic, superbly durable cameras for wide angle lenses and zone focus shooting. They also happen to be the absolutely cheapest Leicas to service.

 

[santino]

I wonder the m3 got 11 votes - pure blasphemy 😉

 

[colker]

And the least? Look at the bar graph. My trusty M2. (Love my M5 too.)

The M5 has much better ergonomics than the "classic" shape that Leica cannot change because the cult won´t allow. The batteries conundrum though is too much hastle. Either give me a modern rechargeable battery or leave it alone. Vintage battery technology? Oy.

Otoh I cringe at the Leica MP and MA w/ their bad rewind knob. It´s a reenactment design keeping bad technology just for the nostalgia vibe. It is stupid.

 

[Huss]

The M5 has much better ergonomics than the "classic" shape that Leica cannot change because the cult won´t allow. The batteries conundrum though is too much hastle. Either give me a modern rechargeable battery or leave it alone. Vintage battery technology? Oy.

Any decent camera tech can adjust the meter on the M5 to use modern batteries. Had mine done.

 

[colker]

Any decent camera tech can adjust the meter on the M5 to use modern batteries. Had mine done.

Otoh shooting w/ an external meter can be interesting in a good kind of way.
Strolling around looking for pictures? first thing: measure the light then adjust the camera.. Once the opportunity arises, you place the VF against your eye to focus and shoot. NO more fiddling w/ exposure.

It´s sharp... and you never worry again about leaking batteries destroying your camera.

 

[traveler_101]

We all know what is going to happen here..haha! MP,M3, or M4 best, and M5 most hated !
What's the point? I still love my M5😀

We all knew, but I for one didn't expect such a rout. At this point right around half the votes went to the M5.

 

[traveler_101]

- most precise framelines;
- shutter speed can be changed with one finger when looking through the viewfinder;
- stepless shutter speed dial;
- speeds indicated in finder;
- built in spotmeter, spot indicated in finder;
- highest quality of manufacture (best build quality of all the M's);
- best Leica M for making color slides (most precise lightmeter and calibrated shutter);
- most sensitive lightmeter.

All Leitz trained repair people from the generation of Ton Scherpenborg and Sherry Krauter will confirm this.

Erik.

Wow - sound great! I would love a built in spot meter. But somewhere I read that M5 is the most difficult to repair - and of course there is the handling issue.