M5 battery compartment

[colint544]

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I realise this is pretty niche, but I wondered if anybody else has had a problem with the battery compartment of their M5. I have a 1975 M5, and it's my favourite film M. I've had it for four years, and what I like best about it is the super accurate meter. I use one of the CRIS adapters to power the meter with a modern battery. 

 

My problem is that the metal contact inside the battery chamber has snapped off. I knew that this was inevitably going to happen - it's a very narrow, thin piece of metal, and it's over 40 years old. It bends back and forth and metal fatigue (and a small amount of battery corrosion) have finally taken their toll. Really it's not a good piece of design - I used to have an M6, and the contact inside the battery compartment on that was superb - a wide and sturdy piece of chromed metal, shaped like a swirl to provide a really good contact.

 

Obviously I can still use the M5, but it's whole USP is that brilliant meter. It's doubly annoying to know that the meter is actually fine, but it's just that this tiny piece of metal in the battery compartment has failed. I did try to bridge the contact with folded tinfoil, but that didn't work, and anyway I'd rather fix the camera properly.

 

Any experience of this, or suggestions? I live in Scotland, so I don't especially want to have to send the camera to Sherry Krauter in the USA

 

Colin

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[wattsy]

I would imagine that the required spare part would be hard to obtain but an equivalent contact can presumably be fashioned from a piece of metal fairly easily. Malcolm Taylor is one option, Cameraworks in Bury another (I've never used them but they seem to have a good reputation).

[colint544]

I would imagine that the required spare part would be hard to obtain but an equivalent contact can presumably be fashioned from a piece of metal fairly easily. Malcolm Taylor is one option, Cameraworks in Bury another (I've never used them but they seem to have a good reputation).

 

That's extremely helpful, thank you very much. Yes, I doubt the part is available but it's almost certainly fixable. I just don't want to have to send the camera overseas. Will check out Cameraworks. Thanks again for your help. C

[convexferret]

Another vote for Cameraworks. 100% satisfied customer.

[colint544]

Another vote for Cameraworks. 100% satisfied customer.

 

I've not heard of them. They seem pretty impressive going by their website. I've emailed, and am waiting to hear back from them.

 

I'll add a +1 for this forum and the helpful people on it.

Edited November 21, 2017 by colint544

[Abram]

I've not used Alan Starkie's services (yet) but I have had a few conversations with him and the man strikes me as exceptionally capable and skilled. I would have no fear in sending him any Leica product personally. 

[colint544]

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I've not used Alan Starkie's services (yet) but I have had a few conversations with him and the man strikes me as exceptionally capable and skilled. I would have no fear in sending him any Leica product personally. 

 

Thank you

[colint544]

Just to update, I sent my M5 off to Alan at Cameraworks in Bury. The part is not available any more, but he was able to adapt the battery contact from a Leica SL to fit. He also serviced the camera, adjusted the speeds, calibrated the rangefinder, cemented a loose frameline, replaced the fabric strip under the back door, fitted new bump stops on the back door, replaced the silver bright line at the bottom of the big rangefinder window, and correctly calibrated the voltage for the meter.

 

Just got the camera back this morning, and it works like new. He did an amazing job, and kept me updated with detailed emails at each stage. Alan clearly has a passion for camera repair, and doesn't cut corners. He even included a new wein cell, along with my original battery. I'm mightily impressed.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, guys, and thank you, Alan

[TomB_tx]

If you use a CRIS adapter, be sure to use the correct 386 cell, and not a thicker LR44, which could over-compress the contact spring. This was pointed out on my CL when it went in for CLA years ago.

[colint544]

If you use a CRIS adapter, be sure to use the correct 386 cell, and not a thicker LR44, which could over-compress the contact spring. This was pointed out on my CL when it went in for CLA years ago.

 

Thanks, Tom. It's the 386 cell I have, but Alan at Cameraworks advised me to use the Wein cell. I'd noticed that the CRIS adaptor + 386 battery still prevents the battery cover from being tightened fully. The Wein cell is a perfect fit. I'm aware of the shortcomings of the Wein cell, but I'm going t go with it for a while anyway. 

 

Thank you.