I love my M5

[WsmpjjiDef]

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Это было круто .

[jos58]

Hello M5 users,

 

question about the film advance lever.

On mine the black 'plastic' like tip of the lever is pivoting on the metal part when advancing the film/cocking the shutter.

Is it supposed to do this ? To me it looks like it.

 

Regards,

Jos.

 

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[a.noctilux]

That is normal since M4 to M6/M7 (...now).

Leica do return to solid single metal lever with MP (now M-A) and some special series M.

 

Arnaud

[jos58]

Thanks for the answer Arnaud.

I have a M2 which also has the solid metal lever.

 

Jos.

[rsh]

I mean, technically, you could replace the M5 lever  with an M4 lever, but it may be a bit daffy in operation and looks given the M5 shape and the traditional shape on the all metal levers.  Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Edited August 15, 2015 by rsh

[Jochen M.]

With the sale of my M7 the M5 is my primary film shooter right now. It's been rock solid... I really enjoy using it. Terrific body if you like shooting a 50mm. It's currently wearing a nice S-Mount Millemium Nikkor with Amadeo adapter.

 

Here it was at breakfast with me late last year.

Where did you buy the Soft Release Button ? The perfect match for the M5 

[jamriman]

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My favorite M too, have been a fan for many years!

[colint544]

Last one from me. The longer I've had my M5, the more it's grown on me. I think it's a handsome and purposeful machine. I don't fully understand why so many seem to loathe lts lines. Other M cameras look almost dainty next to the M5's design. But perhaps dainty is also a good thing.

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Edited October 9, 2015 by colint544

[pinchers of peril]

Wait… you mean to tell me that there are people out there who actually like the way the M5 looks

[asiafish]

Wait… you mean to tell me that there are people out there who actually like the way the M5 looks

 

I sure do!

[Wayne]

A big thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

 

Not too long ago, I entered the Leica world through purchase of an M8. Since then, I have bought and M2 and a couple Barnacks and discovered the therapeutic value of film. It's great.

 

One thing about the M8 that keeps me coming back to that camera is the metering: although I love doing things in a Spartan manner, I have to admit, in- camera metering in the M8 is great.....And adictive. But, I did not want to fork over the $ for an M6 TTL.

 

Then, I stumble across this thread and realize the M5 is pretty much an M8 for film. And at a much more affordable price.

 

I ordered it yesterday. I  will post pictures when it arrives.

 

Best regards,

[asiafish]

A big thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

 

Not too long ago, I entered the Leica world through purchase of an M8. Since then, I have bought and M2 and a couple Barnacks and discovered the therapeutic value of film. It's great.

 

One thing about the M8 that keeps me coming back to that camera is the metering: although I love doing things in a Spartan manner, I have to admit, in- camera metering in the M8 is great.....And adictive. But, I did not want to fork over the $ for an M6 TTL.

 

Then, I stumble across this thread and realize the M5 is pretty much an M8 for film. And at a much more affordable price.

 

I ordered it yesterday. I  will post pictures when it arrives.

 

Best regards,

I started on an M8 and currently use an M-E (M9) and M Monochrom (also M9).  The M5 is BETTER than the digital or other film Ms with regard to its metering for a few reasons.

 

Shutter speed dial overhangs the front of the body.  This is fantastic when the camera is at eye level.

 

Shutter speed in the viewfinder.  M7 and digital Ms will show the shutter speed in the viewfinder when in A mode, but NOT in manual.  The M5 is the ONLY M camera with shutter speed visible in the viewfinder with manual exposure control.

 

Of course the main advantage and what really makes it superior is the meter itself.  The M5 has a true spot meter, the other Ms don't.  I would argue that the only film Leica that can are better than the M5 for metering are the R series SLRs, which also have spot metering only with the option to switch to averaging metering.  The spot meter is a huge advantage in difficult lighting.

[Wayne]

The M5 arrived this morning. Physical condition is great. Camera shows no external signs of abuse. No battery in the camera, so I can't make any judgement, at the moment, concerning condition of meter.

 

I did notice one problem when I mounted the 50 summicron and tried out the viewfinder/rangefinder.

 

1. The lens to camera body mount is not as tight as my M2. It is not sloppy, but does allow some rotational play. It is hard to judge how much, but as a rough guess, I would say 1 degree, or less. Axial play is there but can be detected only through feel.

2. When I use the rangefinder on a distant object and come to the lense infinity stop, the object is not in perfect alignment in the rangfinder. However, when I rotate the lens further, via the radial play I described above, it gets pretty close. I notice this inability to align the rangefinder starts at about 100 yards and continues to infinity.

 

The L seal is still there, so I do not believe there has been any unqualified person working in the camera.

 

1.Is there a good instruction on how to adjust the rangefinder on this camera?

2.In making the attempt to adjust the rangefinder, is is possible to do serious, i.e. irreparable, damage to the camera?

 

I am thinking of trying it myself because....if the thing is already not working properly, what can it hurt to try a hand at it myself? I mean, if I can't do it, I am going to have to send it off, and sending it off is in the cards as it sits there now.....How is that for logic?

Edited November 9, 2015 by Wayne

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Wayne,

 

There have been a number of discussions of replacement batteries in various Threads on this Forum (PX13/PX365 - both are Mercury Batteries).

 

How far away is your "distant object"?

 

Infinity with many lenses is sometimes further away than some people might think. You might try focusing on the Moon on a reasonably clear nite.

 

What makes you think the problem is in the range/viewfinder & is not in the lens?

Yes, if you do things incorrectly you can do significant damage to the range/viewfinder. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael.

[Wayne]

I did read a few things about the battery related problems. I read enough testimonial concerning the C.R.I.S. adapter that I went ahead and ordered one. I did find a 357 battery, and was able to use it to verify that the meter does work. The 357, given its size, is not suitable for regular use, but was good to determine the electrical circuits and sensor work.

 

I discount the lens as the problem because it has focused ok on my M8 and M2 cameras. The issue of objects not matching in the rangefinder patch begins at about 75 yards, or so. When attempting to get them to match up in the rangefinder patch, I hit the infinity stop well before they match up....Not just fuzzy image, daylight between the images.  Needless to say, any objects further than 75 yards do not match up. My Summicron is an older lens, so, it is not impossible that the problem is related to it. I have a new 35mm summarit at home. I will try it later.

 

Thanks for the response.

[Wayne]

Well, I don't know whether to feel foolish, or confused. I just tried my 35 2.0 Summarit M (new lens) on the M5, and it seems to focus OK. I will not know until I load film and take some pics. Naturally, I mounted the misbehaving 50 Summicron (old lens) on the M2 and......it seems to work fine on the M2. I am at a loss.

 

One thing I notice is that the Summarit mounts solidly on both M5 and M2; Summicron shows the same minor rotational and axial play on both cameras. I suppose it is possible that, for whatever reason, the M5 camera is less tolerant of lens mount play than the M2.

 

I suppose the problem, whatever it is, is with the Summicron.

[Wayne]

Well, I have the CRIS adapter in. The 35 Summarit attached, and everything seems to be working fine. Developed first roll of TriX and, although photos suffer from my amateur status, it is obvious there is nothing wrong with this camera.

 

Thanks for the earlier comments.

 

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[asiafish]

Well, I have the CRIS adapter in. The 35 Summarit attached, and everything seems to be working fine. Developed first roll of TriX and, although photos suffer from my amateur status, it is obvious there is nothing wrong with this camera.

 

Thanks for the earlier comments.

 

L1001231.jpgL1001232.jpgL1001235.jpgL1001236.jpg

Nice looking M5.  Here is mine, fitted with the same lens (love the 35 Summarit) and ready for action.  Fully Krauterized out a year ago.

 

M5 by Andrew F, on Flickr

[Wayne]

Thanks for the comment. I find the matching needles and the shutter speed display to be about the most intuitive means of metering and exposure control I have ever used. It's funny, over the past couple of years I never even considered the M5. I am not sure of the reason for this, I guess I somehow came under the impression is was a bit of an oddball camera....not a real Leica. Now, I can see it becoming the camera most used. It is hard to believe the shutter is as quiet as it is.

 

I think the secret is out now. the prices seem to be climbing.

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[carljmoss]

I've had a black two-lugger for just over three months now. It's joined the family with my IIIf, M3 and M6. Guess which camera gets the most use! Although I have an original case I'm currently using a Mr. Zhou half-case. I've still got an original strap on it.

 

Here's a picture with a Nikkor-H-C 50mm/f2 LTM lens and a soft release. It's a very nice combination. Like many others here I opted for an adapter so that I could use silver oxide batteries. It's compact enough to carry in my coat pocket and feels almost as robust as my M3.