Leica M5 v.s. M6 v.s. M10

[KenLW]

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13 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

Something may be wrong, Ken.

Can you check if the RF on your M10 is accurate with your lens.

In this distance, if the curve of field (or other "errors" wide open) from the lens in use allows, the RF accuracy must be far better than SLR or mirrorless ...

I'd also ask if you see clearly the RF patch.

Thank you for the suggestions! I did not mean I took several shots of this photo to get it right. I meant I tried multiple times at home to get used to the range finder before I went out to take photos like this. I had some difficulties to match the patches because it was my first time using rangefinder cameras. This photos was perfectly sharp to my eyes and I took it with only one attempt. I intended to focus on the "Anglia" badge and the original photos showed very clear outlines of the badge (this web version seems to be compressed so it does look good). I also tried various aperture and focus distances. The range finder is pretty accurate.

[a.noctilux]

Ken,

Take time to master your RF skill.

Only way to do is using the M.

[DoubleE]

M5 is a great film body if you must have an internal meter.  I personally like the Revini external meter on an M2 or M3, but I mostly use hand held meters.  Someday I'll get an M5.

Edited August 15, 2022 by DoubleE

[dbeids]

I currently have an M5, M10-r and M10 Monochrom. I have had an M3, M4 and M6 classic. 
 The M5 has the best meter of all of them in my opinion. It’s easier to see in bright light then the M6 diodes (or the M10’s), and is a true spot meter. 
We all have to learn to use our in camera meters, but the M5 has never given me unpredictable results. 
The meter was designed for an obsolete battery, so you’d need to get a tech to adjust it for the voltage of the current batteries in that size, I had mine updated by Sherry Krauter who is fabulous. 
 

Yes the M5 is big, but it’s balanced, handles well and adjusting ISO is easier then with any other Leica M. The build quality is fabulous. 
 

I sold my M6 classic and kept my M5. Never looked back. 

[colint544]

1 hour ago, dbeids said:

I currently have an M5, M10-r and M10 Monochrom. I have had an M3, M4 and M6 classic. 
 The M5 has the best meter of all of them in my opinion. It’s easier to see in bright light then the M6 diodes (or the M10’s), and is a true spot meter. 
We all have to learn to use our in camera meters, but the M5 has never given me unpredictable results. 
The meter was designed for an obsolete battery, so you’d need to get a tech to adjust it for the voltage of the current batteries in that size, I had mine updated by Sherry Krauter who is fabulous. 
 

Yes the M5 is big, but it’s balanced, handles well and adjusting ISO is easier then with any other Leica M. The build quality is fabulous. 
 

I sold my M6 classic and kept my M5. Never looked back. 

Completely agree. I changed from an M6 to an M5, back in 2013 - have never looked back either. The M5 is a wonderful camera. 

[Huss]

The one thing I've noticed with the M5 is it is important to use the battery check function.  If the battery starts to rundown, the meter will give a reading but it is not accurate.

I tested this with fresh and old batteries.  So make sure the needle swings into the battery ok check box when you test it.

WIth the M6, M10 etc you can meter away until the battery is fully depleted.

[oldwino]

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The M5 is really the best handling Leica for all those big heavy Noctilux and Megalux lenses everyone seems to like to use. 

[Huss]

23 hours ago, oldwino said:

The M5 is really the best handling Leica for all those big heavy Noctilux and Megalux lenses everyone seems to like to use. 

And the best thing is it is also delightful with small lenses!  I love using the CV 35 1.4 v2 on it.  Tiny and fast.

[jsrockit]

On 8/6/2022 at 11:17 PM, KenLW said:

Short version:

How should I spend the $4700 budget allocated for the M10

1. Get the M10 and a very cheap lens under $500

2. Get the M5 + one 35mm Summicron 2.0 (or one 35mm Summarit 2.4 and an additional 50mm lens)

3. Get the M6 + one 35mm Summarit 2.4

 

Personally, I would get the M10 and a used Voigtlander lens.  However, that will not help you.  I would not touch the M5.  The M6 is of course awesome as long as you have a good film workflow.  

Edited October 28, 2022 by jsrockit