Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/09/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 04:51 14/09/96 -0700, you wrote: > >Please give me your opinion toward the Leica M5 cameras. >I have not seen one for sale or talk about on the net. > >Are they dependable cameras? >Are they collectible? >What would be a going price for a mint minus condition? > >Thanks in advance for your time. > >- Tim > > A couple of months ago I was loaned one for a week to try. It was in exchange for the borrowing of my CL (purportedly because of the avialable lens conbinations). I was amazed at the feeling of quality. If given the M5 and the CL, I would have sworn the M5 was a lesser expensive Japanese built unit and the CL Wetzler built. Prior to this time, I had thought about the M5 because it has the same metering system as the CL, but I had never used one. My Visoflex, also would not fit it because it is dimensionally larger than the other M series cameras. After dry shooting it several hours to get the feel of it, it still did not feel comfortable to me. Ultimately, I put it aside and never did use it. I did, however, go to my local Leica dealer and looked (and felt) more closely at the M6 which felt better and more solidly built. For the price difference between the 2 and the age of the M5, I think for a user, I'd opt for the M6 if a built in meter is desired. THe early M5s had a problem with the metering circuits and from my understanding there was a silent recall. This means that whenever one was serviced by Leica, the upgrade was done. I am not sure, but I think that the problem was corrected by the time the 3 lug cameras were produced. It seems that over the past couple of years, the M5 has gone from something less desirable then the CL to collectors to a collectable. The pricing has reflected this trend. For the current pricing, check SHUTTERBUG. There usually are several for sale in each issue. With the M5, there is a restriction on using some of the lenses, including the collapsables and early wide angles because of the moving arm which holds the meter cell. Brian Levy, J.D. Toronto, Ont. dlevy@worldy.com