sksaito Posted December 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've never had a Leica M5 in my hands so I can't comment. I hear bad things and I hear good things. It seems to me that if you get it CLAed by a technician who knows how to fix the meter as well, modify it to use a modern battery, and don't mind the larger size, it seems like a very useable camera. The ones for sale seems heavily used most of the time except for the so called "never used" ones from Hong Kong on eBay. That means M5 owners who bought it to use it used it I would assume. Any comments? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 Hi sksaito, Take a look here Leica M5. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LYCAN Posted December 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 6, 2011 The best M! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted December 6, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 6, 2011 Never loved it, but a good item I think is very usable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted December 6, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 6, 2011 I'm pretty sure there is an 'I love the M5' thread, but I can't find it quickly Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studio58 Posted December 6, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 6, 2011 It seems to get bad press but I gather that is based on aesthetics. Some Leica aficionados rate it as the best Leica ever. I prefer the M6 (for film). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted December 6, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 6, 2011 The Leica M5 love-fest... http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/85571-i-love-my-m5.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted December 6, 2011 Share #7 Posted December 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) ... It seems to me that if you get it CLAed by a technician who knows how to fix the meter as well, modify it to use a modern battery, and don't mind the larger size, it seems like a very useable camera. ... Sherry Krauter LOVES M5s.... Sherry Krauter.com -- Home of the Golden Touch. She did a wonderful job on my CL, which has the same meter issues as the M5. Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted December 9, 2011 Share #8 Posted December 9, 2011 I had a great M5 (E34 3.8L) but it was made by BMW not Leica. BTW for those who have not consigned their M5 to the display cupboard or who use MR/MR-4 Leicameters, the Small Battery Company in the UK has again got stock of Wein 1.35 Volt Zinc-Air Mercury replacement cells, which give the correct meter readings. I had some on order for a while and they have just arrived today. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted December 10, 2011 Share #9 Posted December 10, 2011 Should have said - the cells for the M5 and Leicameters are PX625. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted December 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted December 17, 2011 I traded by Epson R-D1 for an M5 three or four years ago. I tried a couple of films and found the camera to be precise and smooth, just what you would expect of a Leica. Unfortunately, I cut my Leica teeth on an M3 and an M6, so I was uncomfortable with the different form factor. The camera has been sitting in the closet ever since. If you were in Los Angeles, I'd offer a test run to see if it's to your liking. Perhaps there is a forum member a bit closer (in Hawaii) who may be able to make a similar offer. As for purchasing one, you can find mint ones in the U.S. for under $1500 if you are patient. Enjoy. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulskyr Posted December 22, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 22, 2011 I owned one until 2002, when I traded it in on an M7. It was my least favorite of the Leicas I have owned. It was awkward to use, compared to the M2, M3 and M4. It was too delicate because of the photo cell swing arm. It was highly annoying because I couldn't use my old-style 21 mm and 28 mm lenses (true--I could have had the lenses modified or traded them in for retrofocus models, but never did). Using a Visoflex, never a rapid operation under the best of circumstances, was made even slower if you tried to take an exposure reading (not a problem with the M7, I might add). And, most importantly to me, it was poorly made. The flimsy shutter speed dial had smeared white paint outside the engraved numbers when I received it new in 1974 and the RF was constantly going out of adjustment. I sometimes regret trading in the M2, but I have never missed the M5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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