Hand me down Leica M5

[Brewerbrennan]

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TLDR, I got a free Leica M5 but the rangefinder is likely going to die. 

Recently I just started shooting film with a hand me down Olympus OM-1 that my dad bought brand new and decided to go on a photo trip. We stayed with my in laws and they saw I was shooting film. They said hey, we have a camera lying around that we never use and don't want. Turns out, it’s a Leica M5 with a 90mm tele-elmarit 2.8 lens. What a come up! I replaced the batteries with the proper 1.35v and the light meter works perfectly. I shot a roll through it and there's no light leaks or any other issues. Sounds too good to be true. And it likely is.

Here's a photo of the rangefinder patch. Upon receipt of the camera I did a bunch of research on the M5's and learned about their decementation of the rangefinder. Well shit. How quickly it dies, I won't know. How expensive it is to repair, I also can't seem to get anybody to answer me. I've heard of people fixing it, but I can't seem to find specific information. Part of me wants to try and fix it when it breaks since I got it for free. If the repair is cheaper than buying one brand new, it sounds like a deal to me. Anybody have this repair done? If so, what did it cost? How much time do I have before this thing dies?

Any insight it appreciated. Stoked to have a Leica, but bummed it has a death sentence already.

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[Mute-on]

That’s the focus patch not the rangefinder prism.  It’s possible the frameline mask is delaminating, but it’s not the rangefinder.

I am aware that the frameline mask in M4 can be replaced with that from M4-P or M6 (or even an aftermarket mask from Cameraworks.uk https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/post/2017/09/08/improving-the-leica-m2-rangefinder-or-why-you-need-a-fta-brightline-mask). Unfortunately I have no familiarity with the M5 options.

In any case, if you can focus accurately there is no reason to stop using the camera. It could stay as it is for years, or you might be unlucky and give it an innocent bump which causes it to let go tomorrow. Just use it and don’t worry about it until or unless you have to. 
 

All the best. 

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

4 hours ago, Brewerbrennan said:

TLDR, I got a free Leica M5 but the rangefinder is likely going to die. 

Recently I just started shooting film with a hand me down Olympus OM-1 that my dad bought brand new and decided to go on a photo trip. We stayed with my in laws and they saw I was shooting film. They said hey, we have a camera lying around that we never use and don't want. Turns out, it’s a Leica M5 with a 90mm tele-elmarit 2.8 lens. What a come up! I replaced the batteries with the proper 1.35v and the light meter works perfectly. I shot a roll through it and there's no light leaks or any other issues. Sounds too good to be true. And it likely is.

Here's a photo of the rangefinder patch. Upon receipt of the camera I did a bunch of research on the M5's and learned about their decementation of the rangefinder. Well shit. How quickly it dies, I won't know. How expensive it is to repair, I also can't seem to get anybody to answer me. I've heard of people fixing it, but I can't seem to find specific information. Part of me wants to try and fix it when it breaks since I got it for free. If the repair is cheaper than buying one brand new, it sounds like a deal to me. Anybody have this repair done? If so, what did it cost? How much time do I have before this thing dies?

Any insight it appreciated. Stoked to have a Leica, but bummed it has a death sentence already.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Try to get it fixed since you got it for free. It’s one of the best Ms ever made. It’s been long discontinued, you can’t buy one new. 

[jaapv]

There are only a few repair services that will handle an M5. Even the rangefinder which normally is quite repairable is difficult as there is the exposure display mechanism built over it. However, the camera is well worth the effort. Try DAG. Don Goldberg. 

[costa43]

Congratulations! 
 

if you are in Europe then Amsterdam Camera Repairs is a good option. Seems to have a lot of experience with this model. Like Jaapv said. Well worth the effort. It’s a great camera. 

[250swb]

At least use it for a while because you may as well tell the tech to fix any other 'faults' you discover, but if it doesn't need fixing and you can use it do that, it's better than it being on a shelf in a queue for weeks or months.

[jaapv]

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The OP is in the USA. ACR is a new one to me, as they seem to be associated with Delfshaven they must be reliable. 

[jaapv]

Leica won’t touch it.

[Danner]

2 hours ago, TheGodParticle/Hari said:

Try to get it fixed since you got it for free. It’s one of the best Ms ever made. It’s been long discontinued, you can’t buy one new. 

Coincidentally, there is a N.I.B. M5 offered on FM Buy & Sell forum at the present time.

[TomB_tx]

7 hours ago, Brewerbrennan said:

How much time do I have before this thing dies?

I have a number of "extinct" cameras that people warn are likely to fail, but I sure enjoy using them, even though some have "weak" RF patches making focus in dim light a bit difficult. I'd say Don't Sweat it - just use it. If something becomes a real issue try DAG or Sherry. When I got my M5 several years ago it had several problems, but DAG serviced and returned is looking and working like new.

[Brewerbrennan]

Thanks for all the replies, definitely reaching out to DAG and Sherry. I’ve shot one roll through it and loved it. Other than 90mm being a bit weird for the style I shoot, it was quite delightful to use. I definitely plan to keep using it until it croaks. 

[Anbaric]

23 minutes ago, Brewerbrennan said:

Thanks for all the replies, definitely reaching out to DAG and Sherry. I’ve shot one roll through it and loved it. Other than 90mm being a bit weird for the style I shoot, it was quite delightful to use. I definitely plan to keep using it until it croaks. 

If you can currently focus easily the best thing might be to leave it alone (see for example this post) and not assume it will necessarily get any worse any time soon. But the best people to ask in the US are those you've mentioned already. If the advice you get is that the condition of the patch is likely to be stable, you might want to consider adding a 35mm or 50mm lens to complement that 90.

Edited July 21, 2024 by Anbaric

[TomB_tx]

22 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

you might want to consider adding a 35mm or 50mm lens to complement that 90.

Agreed - A Leica M camera is at its best with 35 to 50 lenses. I actually bought my first - a new M4 in 1968 - along with just a 90 Tele Elmarit and used that combination until I could afford to add 50 & 35 Summicrons. Once getting the 50 & 35 I seldom used the 90.

[Brewerbrennan]

I have a 28mm, 50mm, and 70-200mm for the Olympus I shoot and I very rarely pull out the big dawg. I even find myself steering away from the 50 as that’s not even wide enough at times. A 35mm Voigtlander Nokton 1.4 is likely the first lens purchase for the Leica. 
 

Any other “cheap” 35mm or 50mm lens recommendations?

[TomB_tx]

1 minute ago, Brewerbrennan said:

A 35mm Voigtlander Nokton 1.4 is likely the first lens purchase for the Leica.

Good choice! I bought an early production of that lens and loved it. 

[Anbaric]

I'm sure the Nokton would be excellent, but you might also look at vintage Leica lenses. The 35mm Summaron is slower, but very well regarded. There are f/2.8 and f/3.5 versions in M and LTM mounts. Avoid early f/3.5 M-mount versions from the M3 era that bring up the 'wrong' (50mm framelines), or versions of either speed designed to be used with 'goggles' on the M3 (they sometimes become separated from the lens, but it won't focus correctly without them).

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summaron_f%3D_3.5_cm_1:3.5

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summaron_f%3D_3.5_cm_1:2.8

There are of course several versions of the 35/2 Summicron, but they'll be more expensive than a Summaron, perhaps triple the price of the Nokton for a nice one. Voigtländer's f/2 APO-Lanthars might also be worth a look, more expensive than the Nokton but less than a 35mm Summicron, and with performance that challenges Leica's own (very expensive!) APO lenses.

[j.scooter]

On 7/21/2024 at 2:58 PM, Brewerbrennan said:

Thanks for all the replies, definitely reaching out to DAG and Sherry. I’ve shot one roll through it and loved it. Other than 90mm being a bit weird for the style I shoot, it was quite delightful to use. I definitely plan to keep using it until it croaks. 

Also reach out to Sherry Krauter - she is a leica trained tech and a M5 aficionado

[AceVentura1986]

On 7/21/2024 at 6:32 AM, jaapv said:

There are only a few repair services that will handle an M5. Even the rangefinder which normally is quite repairable is difficult as there is the exposure display mechanism built over it. However, the camera is well worth the effort. Try DAG. Don Goldberg. 

When I got my M3, the patch was delaminating also. Sent it to DAG and now it’s as good as new. You should also have him do a full CLA while he’s at it. He’s excellent. 

[Anbaric]

3 minutes ago, AceVentura1986 said:

When I got my M3, the patch was delaminating also. Sent it to DAG and now it’s as good as new. You should also have him do a full CLA while he’s at it. He’s excellent. 

The lack of spare parts is the problem with M5 RF separation, according to DAG.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[TomB_tx]

The beauty of the M5 is in its use: a wonderful camera to use.