So why is the M5 unpopular?

[kevin m]

For what it's worth, by better user I meant more modern meter with greater sensitivity, greater availability of parts meaning cheaper and easier maintenance, easier to locate accessories (cases etc.). That type of stuff, all of which applies both to TTL and 'classic' versions.

True. But the M5 seems to be dropping in price lately, and that makes it more tempting. 🙂

 

[Santafecino]

I have one M5 and am looking for another. They have everything I want--easier controls, spot meter, good finder (especially with a 1.25 magnifier). I wish it were a little smaller, true, but I do want that exact spot meter.
--Lindsay

 

[venchka]

Or maybe...

Or maybe...

...

Unfortunately for Leica, there were more people who disliked the M5 than those who liked it. So it went away.

...like today, there were a lot more people buying SLRs. As I said earlier, in a time when the whole world was going berserk buying SLRs, there wasn't enough demand for 3 rangefinder bodies at Leica's price points. Leica was also playing catch up in the SLR market. To heap all the blame for killing rangefinders at Leica on the M5 us grossly overstating the problems at the time and totally unfair to the M5.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

I own a Leica M5 and i find that is a fantastic tool. Is a very smooth, mechanically, and the meter is reliable and accurate. In the first seventies, the M5 was unpopular mainly for the bigger weight and dimension, in respect to the M2/M3/M4, but the M5 is a true Leica M in every point of view.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[kevin m]

To heap all the blame for killing rangefinders at Leica on the M5 us grossly overstating the problems at the time and totally unfair to the M5.

Wayne, is that you?

I can't tell 'cause a huge, ugly camera is hiding your face. 😀

 

[Sam R]

Buff

Buff

BUFF. Sums it up.

Talk about hitting the nail on the head. It is the B52 of rangefinders.

 

[venchka]

Aye

Aye

Wayne, is that you?

I can't tell 'cause a huge, ugly camera is hiding your face. 😀

Another benefit of using the M5. It is such a BUFF that one can hide behind it. 😀 😱 😎

 

[venchka]

And another thing...

Don't even get me started on the term BUFF and the B-52. Name one other heavy bomber with a lifespan as long as the B-52. My father made the switch from the B-36 to the B-52 in the fall of 1955. The last time I checked, the B-52 was still in combat operation.

Maybe that's why I have an affinity for the M5 as well.

 

[KoNickon]

It's a great camera, simply put. It's just that it was a change from the Leica standard design. Had it been introduced at an earlier time, before the traditional M design became so well entrenched, it might have had a more favorable reception. Its different design didn't appeal to the traditional M users and it didn't attract many newbie RF users, simply because there weren't many people other than Leica traditionalists buying Leicas in the early '70s. The move to SLRs was in full swing then.

 

[Ororaro]

Wayne, is that you?

I can't tell 'cause a huge, ugly camera is hiding your face. 😀

You're hard to follow! You called the Noctilux Huge and Heavy and not worthy even when you could get it for 2000$ peanuts, and yet since then you've purchased bigger and heavier equipment totalling much more then 2000$ (Canon f1.2, M5...). You're not really being consistent over time.

Totally confused, and of course, I can't help to feel bad for you. Imagine the extra 3000$ you'd have by now if you did go with the HUGE and HEAVY noctilux (but lighter then M5 and Canon f1.2) and sold it today. No? Am I missing something?

 

[LOOP]

M5 ??

M5 ??

If you want a pocket camera take an M6 or a Konica Hexar AF. But if you are interested in real phographic quality the M5 is for you.:angel:
I like to travel with a Fed 2 with retractible lens. It depends what you want.
But if you want a real gem , produced like a watch look at the M5.
I like mine. The M5 is big but not that big if you compare with SLR or TLR cameras...😱 😱

 

[cmogi10]

Here is how I view the M5...if it was the only leica Rangefinder I could own I would gladly use it. I might take one over an M2, M3, M4 (Keyword, I might)
I think it's big and ugly but that doesn't make it a bad camera.

 

[kevin m]

You're hard to follow! You called the Noctilux Huge and Heavy and not worthy even when you could get it for 2000$ peanuts, and yet since then you've purchased bigger and heavier equipment totalling much more then 2000$ (Canon f1.2, M5...). You're not really being consistent over time.

You're partly to blame, Ned. I told you that your 'Noctilux' thread gave me the superspeed bug. I picked the Canon 50/1.2 because it's not so big, and certainly not expensive (by Leica standards.) It takes 55mm filters and though wide, it's short, so it doesn't seem so large on the camera. And I'm only out $1,140 so far. 🙂

The M5 was a "what the hell" purchase. I've never even seen one, but since I've got a big lens now, maybe I need a big camera to go with it. 😀

I think I'll get a compact 50 to use when I don't want the size of the Canon.

Totally confused, and of course, I can't help to feel bad for you. Imagine the extra 3000$ you'd have by now if you did go with the HUGE and HEAVY noctilux ...

You don't know the half of it. I sold my 35 Aspherical Summilux and my 24 Elmarit just after the M8 came out, but before the prices shot up. Between those lenses, and the Noctilux I passed up, I coulda' been a camera millionaire! 😱 :bang:

OK, it was just $6,000, but still.... 🙁

 

[Tuolumne]

The M6 is a pocket camera? Only if you like carrying a boat anchor in your pocket! 🙂

SM,
I challenged the pocketability of M bodies with lenses here and got pounded on by people who claimed they did indeed have no problem pocketing their M's with lenses, did it all the time, all you had to do is wear a coat with pockets, etc etc etc. Well, chaqun a son gout, as HCB might have said. And were I a Kangaroo I'd find a D3 with 18-200mm zoom pocketable, too. 😀

/T

 

[cmogi10]

No way I can fit a Leica in my pocket...I guess my pants are too tight 😀

My favorite place for my leica bodies are over my shoulder under my jacket...and I'm sure even the M5 can fit there.

 

[kevin m]

...people who claimed they did indeed have no problem pocketing their M's...

Yeah, that's a laugh riot. An Olympus Stylus Epic is a pocket camera. An M6 needs a 'pocket' with padding and a shoulder strap! 😀

 

[jan normandale]

The M5 isn't "unpopular" it's just less popular than an M2, M3, M4-P, M6, or M7.

 

[NickTrop]

True. But the M5 seems to be dropping in price lately, and that makes it more tempting. 🙂

'Cept this one, going for $206,079.00 US 😱 (I know the dollar is tanking but yeesh!)

... for the guy who "has everything" 😱

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-M5-automa...eZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

 

[marke]

You're hard to follow! You called the Noctilux Huge and Heavy and not worthy even when you could get it for 2000$ peanuts, and yet since then you've purchased bigger and heavier equipment totalling much more then 2000$ (Canon f1.2, M5...). You're not really being consistent over time.

It's called the "Bambi" complex. Big "eyes" always look cuter than a big face. Aren't all the girls giving you that special look since you've been looking like Bambi? 😉