Leica M5 light meter needle

[pierlucgagnon]

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Hello

I purchased a Leica M5 in a very good shape.

I put a lens on it to check if the meter works great and I noticed that only the speed needle move . The second one is stocked at the left and didn't cross together.

 

Someone can help me please? 

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[dpitt]

Welcome to the forum!

And congratulations for your M5. It is a very unique Leica M model, with many features that no other M before or after the M5.

You did mount a lens did you?
And you need to cock the shutter/advance the film before it becomes active.

Of course the light meter also needs a proper battery to work.

Edited January 19, 2024 by dpitt

[pierlucgagnon]

Hello !

Yes I put a lens on it and I cock the shutter and nothing move.

Maybe it's the battery. Besides that I don't know what to do 

[dpitt]

Lots of resources here in the Leica Wiki, including links to the original manual and several posts on this forum.
 

[pierlucgagnon]

I put a fresh Wein cell and everything works!! 

 

Thank you !

[TomB_tx]

Very good! Note that Wein cells have limited life once exposed to air. They have fair power for many measurements, but if you store the camera for a while don't count on the battery. Of course, it's best to store any film camera with the battery removed. One leaked in one of my Leicas and ruined the meter circuit board.

[pierlucgagnon]

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I noticed that when the battery compartment cap is to screwed, it didn't work properly.. maybe it's a bad circuit connexion. 

[hepcat]

Your best bet is to either send the body to DAG Camera to have the meter converted to 1.5v batteries, or you can by a Kanto converter 1.55v to 1.35v  that allows you to use modern 1.55 volt SR 43 batteries as a long-term solution.  Welcome to the wonderful world of the M5.   Remember not to leave the shutter tensioned when you set the camera on the shelf, and remember to NOT touch the shutter release button until you're ready to make the exposure or the meter cell won't stay in the center of the frame.  Past those caveats, once you learn how to meter with the body, you'll love it!  

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[pierlucgagnon]

Thank you so so much !

[ktmrider2]

And remember the second needle does not move.  It's position is determined by shutter speed/ISO.   

[pierlucgagnon]

Yes absolutely! Thank you !

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Pierre Luc,

Welcome to the Forum.

Sometimes if the ASA/DIN dial on the TOP of the camera is set at too high or too low a position then the moving needle stays all of the way to 1 side or the other.

The ASA/DIN dial on the BACK of the camera is only a reminder of what has been set on the TOP dial. The TOP dial actually controls the ASA/DIN setting.

ALSO: If you pull the frame selector under the VIEWFINDER window all of the way AWAY from the lens mount: The needle should move to the battery check position.

Best Regards,

Michael

Try setting the ASA/DIN dial on the TOP of the camera to 100/21 and then see what happens

[pierlucgagnon]

8 hours ago, dpitt said:

 

2 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

Thank you!