Trade M4 for M5?

[rpilottx]

OK, I realize that I am the only one who can really answer this question but am looking for opinions.

I have a very nice M4 with 15/35/50/90 lenses. And I have owned every M between an M3 to M6TTL except the M5. The M4 was acquired because it was the camera I could not afford in college. I don't mind using a body without a meter but have also used and enjoyed M6's.

I would not mind having two M bodies but at the same time one of the reasons to own an M is to keep things small and light. And do I want to invest another $1000 in film technology.

So, my options are 1. keep the M4 and not buy the M5
2. trade the M4 toward the M5
3. buy the M5 outright knowing that I can sell it later

I think the M5 would make a great body married to the 35f1.2. And having two M's for different film would be nice.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Add the M5 and just don't look back. I just did it... but I'm looking forward to using it (right now, mine is chez Sherry Krauter's spa).

Nothing beats having two Leicas. Moreso, when you have several lenses already. Don't worry, they can share...

 

[MISH]

in a ideal world keep the M4, buy the M5, Use both, see which suits you best
I know the M5 has a big following here but I would want to be very sure before I made it my only M body

 

[Ronald M]

Do nothing. You are not missing a thing except a querky meter and a big body.

 

[ChrisN]

Buy the M5 as well as the M4, use it for a month, spend big dollars to get it overhauled, fall in love with the excellent metering, use it for a few months, decide that using the in-viewfinder metering is slowing you down, carry both cameras with lenses for a while, decide that's too heavy, go back to using just the M4, and eventually sell the M5 at a big loss.

Worked for me! 🙂

 

[Beemermark]

While the M5 is now a cult camera I predict if you like your M4 you'll hate the M5.

There was a strong business reason why Leitz brought the M4-2 out after M5 was on the market for only 2 years, and dropped it completely after 4.

 

[gliderbee]

While the M5 is now a cult camera I predict if you like your M4 you'll hate the M5.

There was a strong business reason why Leitz brought the M4-2 out after M5 was on the market for only 2 years, and dropped it completely after 4.

Well, I have both the M5 and the M6TTL, and I usually prefer the M5, Although it's heavier, it fits my hands better and I prefer it for the better shutterdial, near-spotmeter, viewfinder indication of shutterspeed and overall feeling, but this is all very subjective.

I don't understand either why in-viewfinder metering would slow you down: either you use it, and then it's very handy, or you don't use it and you use a handheld meter (which I think would be slower to work: first read, then set, while with the in-viewfinder meter, you set while reading) or you just meter once and pre-set. You have all the options at your choice with the M5.

I would say: buy the M5 if it's in usable good shape (mine didn't need a CLA when I bought it: I just needed to clean the VF a bit) and see if you like it. If you don't spend heaps of money on a CLA, I don't see a reason why you should sell it again with a big loss.

Stefan.

 

[chris7521]

While the M5 is now a cult camera I predict if you like your M4 you'll hate the M5.

There was a strong business reason why Leitz brought the M4-2 out after M5 was on the market for only 2 years, and dropped it completely after 4.

It was because of size only nothing more. One of the best M cameras made if you aren't too worried about a little bigger camera and you're not a Leica snob😛

Do nothing. You are not missing a thing except a querky meter and a big body.

Quirky meter? Mine works great and I wish all M's had the same..

 

[sc_rufctr]

Buy the M5 as well as the M4, use it for a month, spend big dollars to get it overhauled, fall in love with the excellent metering, use it for a few months, decide that using the in-viewfinder metering is slowing you down, carry both cameras with lenses for a while, decide that's too heavy, go back to using just the M4, and eventually sell the M5 at a big loss.

Worked for me! 🙂

Excellent post! About as true as it gets.

Don't get me wrong. I love the M5 but it's not an M3/M2/M4 etc...
I carry and M3 (1966)

 

[Photon42]

Get an M6, take out the batteries, and sell the M4. If you feel you need a light meter, put the batteries back in.

Regards
Ivo

 

[ray*j*gun]

Get an M6, take out the batteries, and sell the M4. If you feel you need a light meter, put the batteries back in.

Regards
Ivo

Yup that's the way!!

 

[Nokton48]

Keep the M4 and get the M5. Enjoy them both, I prefer the M5 myself. Using three Leicas beats using two, note my avatar. I alternate between the M4-2, M5, and M2. M5 is my favorite user hands down. It's my fave with -big- lenses, like your 35mm F1.2.

 

[Richard G]

Great ChrisN and Ivo, you may be right, but as a recent convert I am with Nokton48. The M5 has become my main camera. I love the vertical hanging and everything else about it. My M2 and M6 are like little jewels now and the C Sonnar with one of those two hanging off its mount now seems odd in comparison to the C Sonnar hanging off the M5. Did I mention the loading and the rewind? And all that real estate for the left hand, great for carrying in the left hand, not an option with the others. Yes, the M2 and 35 Summicron will still be a great compact for quiet evening functions and I am not selling an M again. Suggest you do not sell the M4 whatever you do. But don't miss out on the M5 experience if you are half inclined. It's the Leicaflex of Ms.

 

[sanmich]

As I see it, the big cons of the M5 are size and the fact that the eyepiece is no longer at the extreme end of the body and you suddenly notice that your noise is something really ennoying.
the speed dial is easier to adjust.

I would buy an M6 or add an MR-4 in good nick to my M4 any day over buying an M5.
the top reading measuring allows for very fast operation.

 

[Richard G]

Good point about the nose, but it's amazing how many left eyed shooters there are using Ms anyway.

 

[Mister E]

Get an M6, take out the batteries, and sell the M4. If you feel you need a light meter, put the batteries back in.

Regards
Ivo

Yeah unless you want the better built, brighter, less flare-prone finder and brass parts.

 

[sanmich]

Yeah unless you want the better built, brighter, less flare-prone finder and brass parts.

and more realistic frames...

there are quite a few things that they did right on the M2/M4 and wrong on the M6...

 

[Mister E]

and more realistic frames...

there are quite a few things that they did right on the M2/M4 and wrong on the M6...

Thanks for the assist! I forgot the frame lines.

 

[Joop van Heijgen]

I have had a M5 years ago. A very nice camera that's not the point.

But compared with my M4 I must say that it gives no better shots.

The metering with a M5 makes you slow down.

The top reading measuring of the M 4 with a MR 4 (or extern meter) allows for very fast operation.


The 'classical' M size of the M4 is in fact a better one than the M5.

The M4 is one of the best cameras Leica ever made!

 

[venchka]

Y'all know where I stand. Some of you are just so wrong.
Since selling Bubba, I still think about a real M4 from time to time. Perhaps someday.
An M4-M5 duo would be nice.