New M5 pics and now wondering about a strap!

[ecowarrior]

So this is my first (perhaps only) Leica. Very impressed with the feel and quality of it, I can see why they are so well loved.

A couple of minor faults - the tab at the bottom used to undo the bottom is floppy. Not a bit issue other than it makes it a pain to put the camera down on a flat surface. Not sure how to tighten that, if at all. Might use a bit of tape to hold it flat for now.

There does appear to be a little bit of rangefinder patch separation (I think that is the term?). Looks like little bits of "fern leaves" encroaching into the patch when you look through into bright light. Not sure if I should be worried about that or not.

Otherwise, very very happy indeed - looking forward to putting a lens on it now and shooting a first film.


Can anybody recommend good straps for this? It's a two lug, and it is going to be one of those straps that you need to loop the ends through each lug (or maybe a thin belt strap of some kind).

Can't see me getting bored of this camera. This will be one to cherish.

 

[Huss]

Those fern leaves are the RF desilvering. It will sooner or later fail and need to be repaired. Just so you know, it is a big undertaking and cost me about $400, maybe more (I'll have to look it up). I would find one that does not have this, unless you have the fundage to pay for it.
After I had mine repaired it became my all time favourite film RF.

 

[ecowarrior]

Looks like it's something that can (at least currently!) be done for a couple of hundred quid in the future. I'll worry about it if and when it happens. They appear to do it in a place in Luton UK, which isn't far from where I live so that's handy.

Still, don't fancy dropping any more money on this body at the moment. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and it does have 6 months warranty.

 

[FrankS]

Get it repaired under warranty!

And congrats on your first, but not last, Leica! 🙂

 

[ecowarrior]

Not sure how visible this is, but this is the rangefinder (shot through the eyepiece with another camera)

 

[BLKRCAT]

something wrong there. My rangefinders are in perfect shape with nothing like this in them.

My advice is not to fall in love with a camera with faults. If you have warranty or can return it, do it. There's no point in falling in love with a camera that isn't perfect. Starting out you will best enjoy a camera that's in perfect working order than one "with character" (basically broken, or almost broken). Repairing these old cameras gets expensive and if you have the option to have issues taken care of by a seller please do so.

I hope with whatever decision you make you enjoy your foray into leica. Welcome to the club.

 

[Mudman]

Return it for repair or replacement now. I know it's a gift from your folks, but they'll understand and want you to have a camera with no faults. They paid for a working camera, not a ticking time bomb.

 

[wwkw]

Not sure how visible this is, but this is the rangefinder (shot through the eyepiece with another camera)

Yikes.

Unless you paid $500 for that, note that M5's on eBay (listings from Japan, especially) are such that returning it and buying one in decent condition is worth it.

 

[f16sunshine]

The RF is separating. You can use it like that for who knows how many years and then one day *clink* and it's done.
Or it could fail the next time you set it down.

If you really love it, take it in for the warranty repair. If they balk,... return it. This sort of repair is not for the faint hearted.
A few tiney "ferns" on the edges with a still bright white RF patch might be ignorable if you love the thing and the price was right. This is not that.
This one is on it's way to full blown failure. It's about a $600 repair with SK in the US. DAG might be a bit less and preferrableable but has a longer wait (I prefer him I should say, Sherry does killer work but I actiually like Don.).

Don't be discouraged mate! The M5 is a great choice....the best choice imo.
Go find another or a solution for this one 🙂

 

[ecowarrior]

Hmmm... OK fair advice, I'll ring 'em on Monday and have a chat. Not disheartened, definitely like the M5 so I WILL have one, maybe this isn't the one though.

 

[nanthor]

In the meantime do not jar or bump the camera and make sure to pack it well if shipping it somewhere. The issue sometimes will stay that way for years but it is said that a sharp jolt can make it separate. Good luck, Bob.

 

[MCTuomey]

eco, re a strap, i have a prototype strap for the double side-lugged M5 made by Gordy that needs a home, having sold my M5 a few years ago. would be happy to ship it to you, gratis. pm me if interested.

 

[ecowarrior]

eco, re a strap, i have a prototype strap for the double side-lugged M5 made by Gordy that needs a home, having sold my M5 a few years ago. would be happy to ship it to you, gratis. pm me if interested.

Thankyou Mike, however I'm in the UK so even shipping it would be a fair amount I guess. I'm sure there is a US Leica user out there who is worthy of it and far easier to give it to. Very appreciate your offer though.

 

[MCTuomey]

😎

Thankyou Mike, however I'm in the UK so even shipping it would be a fair amount I guess. I'm sure there is a US Leica user out there who is worthy of it and far easier to give it to. Very appreciate your offer though.

You're welcome. Offer made in the spirit of M5 ownership 😎

 

[Huss]

Not sure how visible this is, but this is the rangefinder (shot through the eyepiece with another camera)

Exactly how mine failed. One day it looked like that. The next day totally broken. Did not knock or jar the camera.

 

[Richard G]

There is a special tool a Leica repairer has to tighten the baseplate key. Artist and Artisan have a strap specially for the M5 with nylon ends which go through the lugs. Satisfactory but inferior to Leitz's original leather strap which ran through the lugs rather than attaching.

 

[ecowarrior]

Artisan and Artist ACAM104 looks to be the one. Ta.

I shall see what the dealer says. If they say they won't fix it, worst case I can see what it will cost to repair at least. If it is too much, I'll send it back.

 

[Godfrey]

Yes, definitely have the viewfinder looked after, and the baseplate key. This is the best time, while you have return rights and warranty.

The A&A strap is lovely ... I have a couple for other cameras and they're just right.

G

 

[harvester]

another M5 obsessive here. just in from another night of shooting in minimal light with delta 3200 and that trusty meter.

i use the strap that came with my fuji x100 - just a simple leather strap with nylon ribbons and buckles at the ends. i found the 'through both lugs' strap that came with my M5 to be a bit disconcerting.

this one feels more secure, i could never get the idea out of my head that if the 43 year old leica strap broke it would instantly drop the camera to the ground rather than still being attached to one lug.

one tip for you - i had to lubricate ( with a tiny, tiny drop of machine oil ) the rewind mechanism on the bottom plate of mine, it was very stiff and made both winding on and rewinding a chore for the first few rolls.

good luck with the RF issue. it's definitely bad news as the seller would have known.

AP

 

[ecowarrior]

It's going back to be fixed. Will cost me a bit to have done - the warranty would cover it if it actually failed but not in the working state that it is in, but as they suggested it was going to be quite cheap to be resolved, I'm putting my faith in them. They are a very reputable and well known dealer in the UK so we shall see, but I'm sure they will sort it out, they seem good people.