Anyone aware of the history of the M5 will have their own opinions on its merits or otherwise, but for those unfamiliar with Leica-lore and arcana, the M5 emerged in the early 1970s as the "next generation" Leica M. It finally introduced innovations like through the lens metering, which had been knocking around SLRs for a decade, and juggled the traditional placement of Leica controls, neither of which leant themselves to the cognoscenti. The thing that did most to despoil the M5's reputation however, was it's size, and the hefty price tag that accompanied it. The M5 was big in every way. Four and a half decades on in a largely post-film photographic world, how does the M5 stack up as an everyday camera? Having used one in that role for a while, here are a few opinions...
The first thing to say is the M5 is big. Not DSLR big, but big in the way a Nikon F2 is big, in fact the F2 is the camera the M5 most resembles, if you subtract a prism and a mirror from the equation. If the word Leica summons images of rounded corners and discreet dials and palm sized cameras, the M5 will disappoint. It's a square-edged, tall-seated vision of 1970 in camera form, which is different from previous and subsequent ideas of stylish modernity. Uncompromising is the best term. A lump is the one my wife used. I like the looks a lot, partly because of its particular vintage, but also because it separates the M5 from the herd. Belonging was always the thing that put me off Leicas in the past, though plenty of people get off on that aspect alone. Cool, hot or lukewarm, how does the Leica M5 perform?
First thing to say is it's very well built. Leicaphiles differentiate models and project subjective notions of quality depending on the type and where it was manufactured. This seems a pointless pursuit so long after their manufacture, and the care with which a camera was used is more important than any notional differences between materials. That said, you'd be hard pressed to find the most uncompromising Wetzlar addict discredit an M5 on quality of manufacture. They'll slag off its appearance and that fancy light meter, but on build alone it harks back to men in white overalls and thick spectacles. Men with micrometers and anglepoise lamps set in gestures of permanent reverence for the objects they illuminate. Men with attitude and ne'er a nod to the time and motion chap with his clipboard. The M5 was expensive, and set against the more compact, more financially aware CL with the same branding and technology at a fifth of the price, the M5 looked anachronistic and over-priced as soon as it entered the shop windows. Consequently the M5 was one of the more affordable Leica rangefinders secondhand, although this is changing as a new generation of photographers discover its virtues.
One of my favourite features is the huge shutter speed dial, which slightly overlaps the front of the camera. Accessing it with a finger while looking through the viewfinder at the match needle meter, is a doddle. It resembles a shutter dial at the other end of the 35mm social spectrum, the Canon AT-1 and is no less excellent in use. No need for fingers like needle point pliers to operate, just click the dial round with a forefinger and the shutter button is bang in the middle. It's hard to get lost on the M5's ample real estate while looking through the finder. The viewing frames are the same as the M4, 35-135, 50 and 90mm. If you use a 28, it'll have to be an M6 or a shoe mounted viewfinder. The ASA dial is set via a thumb wheel on top of the camera, and the light meter runs horizontally below the bottom of the image. Some people complain that the M5 finder is cluttered. Compared to a Barnack it may well be, but for anyone weaned on the LEDs and LCDs of a 1970s, 80s or 90s SLR, the M5's viewfinder is a lesson in understatement. In most other ways M5 operation is standard bottom loading, rear window, fixed spool, Leica M business.
The meter has given rise to much fulmination, some of it on the money, some mythical. Basically it's a spot meter on a stalk that rises when the film is wound on and falls when the shutter is pressed. A small number of lenses come into contact with it and can damage the meter arm. These are the 21mm un-modified Super Angulons, early 28mm Elmarits, and any collapsible lenses. FSU wide angle lenses with a deep back element will also foul the arm. For most people it won't be an issue, but for well-heeled Leica collectors with a penchant for unusual wide angle lenses, the meter conflict caused an stink in the early 70s that never quite went away. Some claim the meter isn't especially accurate, or that it may be visible within the shot. I've tested for both extensively and can only conclude their cameras must be malfunctioning. My M5 produces unusually consistent negatives, so it may be their lack of knowledge on how a spot meter works. You can only see the meter arm in action if you fit an adapter and remove the lens, but the lollipop retracts long before the shutter begins to open at any speed, and you can feel it doing so through the shutter button, another factor some people complain about.
In the end camera function is both an objective and subjective experience. If something rubs you up the wrong way on either, you'll never enjoy using the camera. I can only say none of the M5's operational protocols annoy me and many of them are a delight. Price wise beater M5s are available from around £295 (buyer discretion needed) and can top out over a grand for unusual or collectable examples, as with all Leicas. Five hundred pounds sterling will net you a very nice example and 400-600 is where the serious horse trading takes place. This has been a long and possibly long-winded take on the Leica M5, which may go some small way to informing potential buyers about a generally overlooked rangefinder camera.
The first thing to say is the M5 is big. Not DSLR big, but big in the way a Nikon F2 is big, in fact the F2 is the camera the M5 most resembles, if you subtract a prism and a mirror from the equation. If the word Leica summons images of rounded corners and discreet dials and palm sized cameras, the M5 will disappoint. It's a square-edged, tall-seated vision of 1970 in camera form, which is different from previous and subsequent ideas of stylish modernity. Uncompromising is the best term. A lump is the one my wife used. I like the looks a lot, partly because of its particular vintage, but also because it separates the M5 from the herd. Belonging was always the thing that put me off Leicas in the past, though plenty of people get off on that aspect alone. Cool, hot or lukewarm, how does the Leica M5 perform?
First thing to say is it's very well built. Leicaphiles differentiate models and project subjective notions of quality depending on the type and where it was manufactured. This seems a pointless pursuit so long after their manufacture, and the care with which a camera was used is more important than any notional differences between materials. That said, you'd be hard pressed to find the most uncompromising Wetzlar addict discredit an M5 on quality of manufacture. They'll slag off its appearance and that fancy light meter, but on build alone it harks back to men in white overalls and thick spectacles. Men with micrometers and anglepoise lamps set in gestures of permanent reverence for the objects they illuminate. Men with attitude and ne'er a nod to the time and motion chap with his clipboard. The M5 was expensive, and set against the more compact, more financially aware CL with the same branding and technology at a fifth of the price, the M5 looked anachronistic and over-priced as soon as it entered the shop windows. Consequently the M5 was one of the more affordable Leica rangefinders secondhand, although this is changing as a new generation of photographers discover its virtues.
One of my favourite features is the huge shutter speed dial, which slightly overlaps the front of the camera. Accessing it with a finger while looking through the viewfinder at the match needle meter, is a doddle. It resembles a shutter dial at the other end of the 35mm social spectrum, the Canon AT-1 and is no less excellent in use. No need for fingers like needle point pliers to operate, just click the dial round with a forefinger and the shutter button is bang in the middle. It's hard to get lost on the M5's ample real estate while looking through the finder. The viewing frames are the same as the M4, 35-135, 50 and 90mm. If you use a 28, it'll have to be an M6 or a shoe mounted viewfinder. The ASA dial is set via a thumb wheel on top of the camera, and the light meter runs horizontally below the bottom of the image. Some people complain that the M5 finder is cluttered. Compared to a Barnack it may well be, but for anyone weaned on the LEDs and LCDs of a 1970s, 80s or 90s SLR, the M5's viewfinder is a lesson in understatement. In most other ways M5 operation is standard bottom loading, rear window, fixed spool, Leica M business.
The meter has given rise to much fulmination, some of it on the money, some mythical. Basically it's a spot meter on a stalk that rises when the film is wound on and falls when the shutter is pressed. A small number of lenses come into contact with it and can damage the meter arm. These are the 21mm un-modified Super Angulons, early 28mm Elmarits, and any collapsible lenses. FSU wide angle lenses with a deep back element will also foul the arm. For most people it won't be an issue, but for well-heeled Leica collectors with a penchant for unusual wide angle lenses, the meter conflict caused an stink in the early 70s that never quite went away. Some claim the meter isn't especially accurate, or that it may be visible within the shot. I've tested for both extensively and can only conclude their cameras must be malfunctioning. My M5 produces unusually consistent negatives, so it may be their lack of knowledge on how a spot meter works. You can only see the meter arm in action if you fit an adapter and remove the lens, but the lollipop retracts long before the shutter begins to open at any speed, and you can feel it doing so through the shutter button, another factor some people complain about.
In the end camera function is both an objective and subjective experience. If something rubs you up the wrong way on either, you'll never enjoy using the camera. I can only say none of the M5's operational protocols annoy me and many of them are a delight. Price wise beater M5s are available from around £295 (buyer discretion needed) and can top out over a grand for unusual or collectable examples, as with all Leicas. Five hundred pounds sterling will net you a very nice example and 400-600 is where the serious horse trading takes place. This has been a long and possibly long-winded take on the Leica M5, which may go some small way to informing potential buyers about a generally overlooked rangefinder camera.
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