mdg1371 Posted December 31, 2017 Share #1 Posted December 31, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I’m about to purchase an M5, and trying to decide on which version to get. My questions are: How common is the shutter drum problem in the 129xxx range? I realize the post 134xxx are preferred, but I am wondering where on the scale from very rare to near certainty the potential for the shutter drum problem occurring is. Second, can a 3 lug version be converted to a 2 lug simply by recovering? I had an M5 a few years ago, and the 3rd lug, being placed low, does not agree with my grip... Thank you in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 31, 2017 Posted December 31, 2017 Hi mdg1371, Take a look here M5 purchase questions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ktmrider2 Posted January 1, 2018 Share #2 Posted January 1, 2018 My understanding is the shutter drum problem is pretty much a non starter. I know Sherry always says this but there is a thread over on rangefinder forum dedicated to the M5 (several pages worth) and one of the contributors makes the point that his Leica repair persons says it is a myth. And since the cameras are about 40 years old, it has probably been repaired. Don't see why you could not remove the third lug. I had Sherry recover an M5 and add a third lug. She says the leather covering is different so once you go one way, it cannot be changed unless you order a new covering. I prefer the horizontal carry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 1, 2018 Share #3 Posted January 1, 2018 My M5 is in the 129x range and has always done fine, so it may not be inevitable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdg1371 Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted January 1, 2018 I had a conversation with Sherry today and posed the question about the shutter drum, she asked if I gamble— I said if there is a 10% chance of the problem, I would risk it— if it is 50%, no way. Her take on it was it is far closer to 50. I ended up picking up a near mint, 136 range M5 in chrome. Also, as I suspected, you will need to fill the screw holes if you remove the 3rd lug, but other than that, no problem recovering. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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