Leica M5 - the only flaws to the greatest film kamera ever..

[NB23]

Something I couldn't find on Google: are M6/7 viewfinder diopters compatible with the M5?

Yes

 

[Huss]

Something I couldn't find on Google: are M6/7 viewfinder diopters compatible with the M5?

I'd say yes, because the Leica 1.4x vf magnifier fits my M5 as well as M7.

 

[Huss]

Metering is absolutely superb with the M5

 

[ic-racer]

I wish this thread would stop popping up. In all my years of 35mm photography, I came close to getting an M5 once and this thread makes me think again of getting one. Of all the Leica cameras, it was the only one that had any appeal to me. Mostly because I thought I could use it in peace, without it being identified with the 'other' recognizable Leica cameras.
In the end I wound up with a Bessa R4.

I wish you would post some nice pictures of the M5. My recollections of the camera are mostly from old Popular Photography reviews. I don't think I have ever seen one in person.

 

[NB23]

Instsgram hashtag leicam5... hours of pleasure

 

[Huss]

I wish you would post some nice pictures of the M5. My recollections of the camera are mostly from old Popular Photography reviews. I don't think I have ever seen one in person.

 

[summicron1]

I wish this thread would stop popping up. In all my years of 35mm photography, I came close to getting an M5 once and this thread makes me think again of getting one. Of all the Leica cameras, it was the only one that had any appeal to me. Mostly because I thought I could use it in peace, without it being identified with the 'other' recognizable Leica cameras.
In the end I wound up with a Bessa R4.

i hear ya -- I could never afford the m5 -- i was a poor journalist -- but did pick up a CL in 1976 or thereabouts -- it's sort of the mini-me M5, if you squint. It had one huge advantage in that it look a lot like all the other compact rangefinders on sale around the same time and so you didn't stand out. Doesn't have a red dot, even, but I shot a roll just Sunday with mine and it's still a marvelous shooter.

Soooo....why not go buy urself an M5 now?

 

[ic-racer]

Very nice!

 

[dourbalistar]

I wish you would post some nice pictures of the M5. My recollections of the camera are mostly from old Popular Photography reviews. I don't think I have ever seen one in person.

2020.01.18 Roll #236-04399-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[Karl K]

Here's my new 50th Anniversary Jubilee version silver M5, still wrapped up.

 

[David Reynolds]

I purchased this M5 and 35mm and 90mm lenses in 1974. It was my workhorse for over 40 years.

 

[Huss]

Here's my new 50th Anniversary Jubilee version silver M5, still wrapped up.

Is the "50 Jahre" engraved onto the finish?

 

[bill koechling]

I purchased this M5 and 35mm and 90mm lenses in 1974. It was my workhorse for over 40 years.
View attachment 270419

I purchased this M5 and 35mm and 90mm lenses in 1974. It was my workhorse for over 40 years.
View attachment 270419

I had an M4 and those same lenses (and a collapsible 50mm Summicron) for 20 years. They were wonderful! I'd have loved having the built-in meter!

 

[David Reynolds]

I had an M4 and those same lenses (and a collapsible 50mm Summicron) for 20 years. They were wonderful! I'd have loved having the built-in meter!

I also have a collapsible and rigid 50mm Summicron among other lenses that I used with my M4 and M3. However the M5 was my go to camera . As I was shooting 4x5 as well at the time I used a hand held Luna Pro for metering and did not use the M5's meter. I paid the price as the M5's meter not being used for many years does not work now . It could be just the conversion to the current battery needed to fix the meter itself or something more. Right now I am getting it ready to ship to DAG and see if he can get it working.

 

[bill koechling]

I also have a collapsible and rigid 50mm Summicron among other lenses that I used with my M4 and M3. However the M5 was my go to camera . As I was shooting 4x5 as well at the time I used a hand held Luna Pro for metering and did not use the M5's meter. I paid the price as the M5's meter not being used for many years does not work now . It could be just the conversion to the current battery needed to fix the meter itself or something more. Right now I am getting it ready to ship to DAG and see if he can get it working.

I too used a Luna Pro and a Luna Pro F (for strobe) in my studio for all formats. I had the little MR-4 meter that sits in the hot shoe on my M4. I didn't like taking my eye away from the vie to read the meter but usually did a predictive read so I didn't always have to do that. Good luck with getting the M5 repaired.

Incidentally I very rarely used my 90mm lens with the M4. Using the tiny rectangle in the window to frame the images simply didn't agree with me. The 35 & 50 was okay.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

... I very rarely used my 90mm lens with the M4. Using the tiny rectangle in the window to frame the images simply didn't agree with me.

90's work well on the M3. I had a 90/4 Elmar - very nice lens that took very little space. I sold it for reasons that quite evade me now.

 

[Karl K]

Is the "50 Jahre" engraved onto the finish?

Yes, just as shown in the photos.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Back in March 2021 I posted I sent DAG a recently purchased M5 for overhaul. I emailed several status requests with no reply. I phoned Don early Aug 2021 and he mentioned the camera was logged into his tracking system Nov 2020. This weekend I received an email response my M5 is the next job in queue. He mentioned purchasing the entire repair stock from Leitz Canada six months ago. Its been a long wait. I’m grateful for his email.

 

[Pieter12]

did not use the M5's meter. I paid the price as the M5's meter not being used for many years does not work now

Not using the meter doesn't affect its life. The meter cell automatically lifts into the frame and switches on when you wind the film and cock the shutter. Not replacing the battery can lead to battery compartment corrosion, though, and can be difficult or impossible to repair as replacements are no longer available. Removing the battery would have been a wise thing to do if you are not using the meter.

 

[spijker]

Fwiw, Max of the Youtube channel Analog Insights just posted an episode on the Leica M5.

 

[Huss]

Good grief Max puts me to sleep. A little more energy would go a long way.

 

[Huss]

Rocked my M5 today on a bike ride at Lake Tahoe, CA/NV.

I used the ZM 35 1.4 lens, which I am still unsure about after all these years. Optically it is excellent, but the size is ridiculous. With the M5 it blocks almost 1/4 of the framed image.
I'll check my results and see how I feel about it, again. I've never felt so torn by a lens - results vs use.

 

[Pieter12]

The ZM 35 about as sharp as anything from Leica. And reasonable-size. Do you really need those 2 stops?

 

[Huss]

The ZM 35 about as sharp as anything from Leica. And reasonable-size. Do you really need those 2 stops?

Yes. Fast lenses on film extend your shooting envelope.
And it's why no matter how 'good' the ZM 1.4 is, it cannot match the Leica 35 1.4 just because of the size. Make it the same size as the Leica, then see how much it will cost.
Being able to see your subject in the viewfinder is a big deal!

(I have a few 35 f2 lenses, as well as a 35 3.5 Summaron. I just wanted to see how the M5 handles with the ZM 1.4)

 

[Ste_S]

Rocked my M5 today on a bike ride at Lake Tahoe, CA/NV.

I used the ZM 35 1.4 lens, which I am still unsure about after all these years. Optically it is excellent, but the size is ridiculous. With the M5 it blocks almost 1/4 of the framed image.
I'll check my results and see how I feel about it, again. I've never felt so torn by a lens - results vs use.

By contrast, here’s my M5 with the Zeiss 35 2.8 Biogon that more or less lives on the camera.

I’ve not felt the need for anything faster than 2.8; however I tend to use Fuji digitals for colour low light, rather than film.