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Hello Michael,

 

Thanks for indicating the nuance... and providing some hope. I'll try again (even) more gingerly to only trigger the frame when I get home. If I don't succeed, perhaps that's something a tech could adjust. Given that shortly after the overhaul the exposure bar in the finder tilted to the right, the tech has to see the camera anyway.

 

In the meantime, I use the 40 on the M3 (patched over the brightline window) — the CL mentioned earlier sadly was beyond repair. The episode made me wonder about the meters in M5 and CL (which, I suppose, are not identical, even if of similar type). The (professional) seller of the CL quoted his tech mentioning that both current battery types, weincells and PX76 1,5V (used after calibration), would kill the meters in the long run. Didn't hear this before and will further inquire. I have had re-calibrated two meters (incl. M5), they are fine; lately I noticed odd readings on a few fed on weincell, even when fresh (but stabilized).

Any experience appreciated...

 

Cheers,

Alexander

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A few years ago I reluctantly sold my M5 and lenses to move into the large format field. It was a difficult decision, I loved my M5 but I had a yearning to move into LF and the only way I could afford it was to cash in my Leica gear.

 

The M5 was my first Leica, previously I had a Nikon F3 which was a fine camera but the M5 was a superb replacement exceeding all my expectations and more. The M5 is precision workmanship unsurpassed in research and development. It always astounded me how it was considered an outcast in the Leica family. The size was never a problem for me moving from an SLR, the ergonomics were brilliantly conceived, the meter was useful but not essential, it was solid without being cumbersome, loading film was simply simple. Compared to the F3 it was intuitive to use, it was a gem and the most pleasurable camera to use.

 

Fast forward, desperate to have another Leica after a break I have purchased an M3. Now I will be able to make direct comparison first hand on the differences and if they are compelling like the majority of the Leica fanatics would have you believe. Stay tuned.

Edited by colin_d
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I love this camera!

 

The spot meter is great, the analogue exposure scale just makes sense, the shutter speed displayed in the viewfinder without needing a battery, the shutter speed dial that can be adjusted effortlessly with a small movement of one finger, seeing all three exposure parameters with one glance at the top plate, and it feels so good in the hand!

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  • 1 month later...

Here's mine. Bought it a few months ago direct from Sherry Krauter, fully served. The lens on it is a 1937 uncoated Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar converted to LTM mount by Brian Sweeney. The photo was taken with one of its descendants, a Leica M Monochrom with a leica 90mm f/2.5 Summarit-M.

 

13138309255_8a1afaab8f_b.jpgL1003192-Edit.jpg by Lawman1967, on Flickr

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Here are a few shots from my M5 with a 1937 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar on Tri-X with orange filter

 

14201353801_66b4c90cc3_b.jpg62760014.jpg by Lawman1967, on Flickr

 

14181524566_08c0c87ff0_b.jpg62760019.jpg by Lawman1967, on Flickr

 

 

And a few more with the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M (v5) also with orange filter

 

14181537696_7ac326291a_b.jpg62760033.jpg by Lawman1967, on Flickr

 

14018018159_2ee7e4e843_b.jpg62760035.jpg by Lawman1967, on Flickr

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Not only to up this thread but also to testify to the sturdiness of the beast: I dropped mine a couple of weeks ago on the pavement, pretty badly. An additional chip parted from the lens hood of the 35/1,4 asph, it intrudes a little less...) and the body has a second dent in the top plate now, left corner over the finder window. The camera worked as before. Only the rangefinder patch was visibly a bit out of alignment, but still quite accurate. So I continued the walk (pic below from that day, after the touchdown).

A local Leica store adjusted it quickly and free of charge and also reassured me on the potential meter issues, either caused by age or conversion. They have not encountered problems with this at all. I'll keep mine going as long as it bears with me.

 

Alexander

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi more of a lurker here than a contributor. I recently got my first M5 in chrome, so just want to share my love. So after picking it up and using it for a bit, have to say that I get the appeal. It's an acquired taste. But when you make the jump, it's worth it. And being a huge Porsche fan, I like comparing the M5 to the 914, 928 and 944; didn't get much appeal due to the change from the normal body styles.

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The (professional) seller of the CL quoted his tech mentioning that both current battery types, weincells and PX76 1,5V (used after calibration), would kill the meters in the long run. Didn't hear this before and will further inquire. I have had re-calibrated two meters (incl. M5), they are fine; lately I noticed odd readings on a few fed on weincell, even when fresh (but stabilized).

Any experience appreciated...

 

Cheers,

Alexander

 

 

Perfect timing Alexander

 

I just got my M5, the battery seems weak so i'm looking to buy replacements

 

These two batteries show up as replacements ->

 

1. BATTERIE ZINK LUFT WEINCELL MRB 625 Ersatz für PX 625 NEU | eBay

 

2. 2x Duracell 625A LR9 PX625A V625U EPX625G Alkaline Batterie für Autoschlüssel | eBay

 

Are these both good to use on the M5? If yes, which one is "better"?

 

Many Thanks,

Hari

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Perfect timing Alexander

 

I just got my M5, the battery seems weak so i'm looking to buy replacements

 

These two batteries show up as replacements ->

 

1. BATTERIE ZINK LUFT WEINCELL MRB 625 Ersatz für PX 625 NEU | eBay

 

2. 2x Duracell 625A LR9 PX625A V625U EPX625G Alkaline Batterie für Autoschlüssel | eBay

 

Are these both good to use on the M5? If yes, which one is "better"?

 

Many Thanks,

Hari

 

I know Wein cells work very well.

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The problem with Wein is that they last only a relatively short time. Best option might be to buy an MR9 adapter, which lets you use the common 386 silver oxide batteries, cheap and commonly found. The adapter is sold by the Small Battery Company in the UK, and is also available in the US (google MR9).

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The problem with Wein is that they last only a relatively short time. Best option might be to buy an MR9 adapter, which lets you use the common 386 silver oxide batteries, cheap and commonly found. The adapter is sold by the Small Battery Company in the UK, and is also available in the US (google MR9).

 

 

Great! Thank you for the info!

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Hari

As mentioned, an alternative to the adapter, if you have access to a good repair shop, is to have the meter permanently adjusted for the current PX625 / 386 cells. In both my M5 and Leicameter MR4 this works great. It's more expensive of course, but I guess I would loose the battery adapter even faster than soft releases...

Alexander

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  • 3 weeks later...

Late to this thread, but have only just taken delivery of this beautiful M5. Been thinking of getting one for the past couple of years, and since prices are gradually climbing, I've taken the plunge.

 

All I can say is wow! Makes my M2 seem almost fiddly to operate. This thing is designed to be shot with. Changing shutter speeds is a pleasure, as is the big, bright, non-flaring viewfinder. In the hands, it feels wonderful - solidly hewn from hardened brass. It really feels as though a lot of thought went into the design.

 

Best wishes all,

 

Colin

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Probably my favorite film M

 

Pity there's such an abundance of negative publicity

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Hi folks, thanks for these wonderful images of the M5. I have never seen it as ugly and love it's design and functionality. I sometimes think Leica camera users can be a pain when it comes to camera design improvements.

Ok, I know I am generalizing but most of us like simplicity of use and rugged build quality topped off by excellent lens quality. Leica has a hard time trying to achieve a balance keeping these features and yet improving and modernizing design as can be seen by the debates that always rage about a new Leica -- say like the digital M (M240).

Leica should be allowed to shock and provoke us with their designs as the original Leica did back in the 1920's. The reaction to the M5 I have always believed to be over the top when it first came out -the only point I will happily concede is the fact that it should have been smaller and lighter !

I like the new Leica T as it fits into the skills of the smart phone generation.

I would love to see the future M line sharing that technology plus a lot more features common in other cameras today -high ISO capability -stabilization etc.

The M5 has lessons to teach us all if properly understood -nice to know they are finally being appreciated.

 

Rgds

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