Leica M5 vs Nikon S3 2000

[Huss]

p.s an S3 2000 is very nice as long as the RF patch is good - nice, bright and contrasty. I prefer the M5 - or any Leica M - because they just work better. Feel better. Look better. And have a huge selection of lenses (Leica and others).

It's why I sold off my Nikons and kept my Leicas.

 

[african_jon]

Well, I just purchased a M5 and I love it. The weight, the patch! Oh my!!!
Not sure I will move the S3 on but I do get the Leica thing.
I am running a Nikkor 5 cm with an adapter. Any recommendations on a solid 50mm? Zeiss f2 and the Voightlander f1.5 appeal, especially the price of them. What’s the consensus? Pony up for the Leica 50mm or slum it with the Zeiss and VLander??

 

[btaylor]

That’s one of the beauties of the Leica system, there are so many lenses that you can mount from so many makers. I got an older Summicron on mine because I like the look of older lenses, but I really don’t think it matters! I think the 50mm Elmar 2.8 has a rep for being one of the sharpest out there- but really, how could a Voightlander or Zeiss or etc not be great.

 

[Pieter12]

The Leica lenses are incredible, but the Zeiss is no slouch. You probably won't be able to tell the difference.

 

[NB23]

I’d pair it with a lens from its time: a summicron 50mm V3.
Don’t mess with voigtlanders and japanese Zeiss. Sure, they’re good lenses and yadda yadda. But if you’re playing the game, play the game. Don’t half-ass.

 

[Huss]

Well, I just purchased a M5 and I love it. The weight, the patch! Oh my!!!
Not sure I will move the S3 on but I do get the Leica thing.
I am running a Nikkor 5 cm with an adapter. Any recommendations on a solid 50mm? Zeiss f2 and the Voightlander f1.5 appeal, especially the price of them. What’s the consensus? Pony up for the Leica 50mm or slum it with the Zeiss and VLander??

One thing to be careful with - the M5 has its meter cell on a stalk. This is fine with most lenses, but there are a select few that can interfere/damage it. Leica mentions a couple (but they tend to be either idiosyncratic or the collapsible ones - which still are fine as long as you don't collapse them), and I know for sure the 7Artisans 50 1.1.

The Zeiss lenses have better flare resistance but worse build quality. The Voigtlander lenses are really nice - especially the most recent ones. Leica glass - can't go wrong. You can get a V5 Summicron 50 for about $1600 used.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

I would be unhappy with a finder not as crisp/bright as a clean MP or M5. I picked up a DAG overhauled M5 this after a 10 months in DAGs shop. Both MP/M5 finders are equally crisp with a nod to the M5 as being a bit easier to focus with “my” glasses removed. There is additional space to frame a more accurate 50mm frame. Without glasses I see a clearer focused patch with the M5. There may be a different distance value from viewfinder to focus patch that acts like a tiny increase in diopter power. I’m sure the two cameras have the same eyepiece diopter but I see the patch clearer on the M5.

I don’t compare the M5 to the classic M bodies. Its an upgrade and its own design.

- handsome design vs other brands for sale in 1972-75.
- size/weight smaller than 99% of available SLRs
- many people including me find it easier to grip.
- M5 has a quality feel missing from other brands
- has interesting story and low production numbers
- serviced one should last 20+ years.
- if meter fails shoot it like an unmetered M4. Hand Incident meters easier to use in standard light conditions. If the meter dies you still have the best shutter speed control & viewfinder readout of any M mount.
- M5 shutter is the quietest if looking for M mount bragging points.