Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I had the same problem with my M5. It went to Atelier 102 in Paris and they "repaired" it for the next day. The meter had to be calibrated/adjusted to Hg-free batteries. Now the meter is fine. Cost of the operation less than 70 USD. Tarek le 31/07/01 16:01, B. D. Colen à bdcolen@earthlink.net a écrit : > Having long lusted for an M5, and having sold a couple of piece of Nikon > equipment, late last week I purchased, sight unseen, a chrome M5 from > Ken Hansen in NYC...The camera, with Sherry K approved serial number, > was described as a user in very good condition. > > The piece arrives. And it was GORGEOUS. "User" probably meant that > someone took photos of the grandkids a few times: a minute bit of > brassing on the lugs. A bit of grime here and there - easily removed. > But otherwise, it looked as though it had spent the past 20some years > under Marc Small's pillow. > > So I load it up and start to do some shooting. The handling is > dream-like. Fits my hands perfectly. Advance is smooooooth, shutter > release smooooth and quiet. Shutter speed dial a joy. Finder bright, > rangefinder image crisp. Everything seems great. > > But then I begin to get a funny feeling about the meter readings: > something just isn't right. Get out the Sekonic. Get out an M6. Start > taking readings. > > Shit...The M5 is ALL over the place. 1/2 stop under. 1.5 stops over. > Stop under. .5 stop over. Right on the money. 1.5 stops under. > > What to do? I love the camera. I know that Ken Hansen will have the > meter adjusted. I KNOW that Sherry could keep the meter going virtually > forever. > > But then we come to the moment of truth - and lesson learned: My cameras > are tools. I bought the M5 because I need a third M body, and I love the > M5. But bottom line - I have to depend upon these tools. > > So back goes the M5 - a mint- M6 classic is on the way to replace it. > > Lesson learned - if you're taking photos to amuse yourself, or to amuse > your muse, shoot with an "O" if that's what rocks you. But if it you're > shooting to feed yourself - forget the romance, drama, HCB, and "glo" - > and go with the most reliable equipment - suited to your workstyle - > that you can get. Period. > > B. D. > > Oh - BTW - I have purchased equipment from Ken Hansen many times in the > past and will continue to do so in the future. The folks there are a > delight to deal with.