The Leica M5 - A Thorough Look at My Elusive Grail Camera

The Leica M5 is a 35mm rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica Camera AG. It was introduced in 1971 and was the first Leica M-series camera to feature through-the-lens (TTL) metering. The M5 was also the last Leica M-series camera to be made entirely in Wetzlar, Germany, by hand using the traditional "adjust and fit" method.

The M5 was a radical departure from previous Leica M-series cameras in terms of both its design and its features. The camera was larger and heavier than previous M-series cameras, and it featured a new body style that was not well-received by some Leica enthusiasts.

Despite its flaws, the M5 was a groundbreaking camera that was ahead of its time. The TTL metering system was a major innovation, and the M5's large size and weight made it a more comfortable camera to use than previous M-series cameras. The M5 was also the first Leica M-series camera to be available in a black chrome finish.

The M5 was not a commercial success, and it was discontinued in 1975 after only three years of production. However, the M5 has since become a cult classic, and it is now considered to be one of the most important cameras in the Leica M-series lineup.

Ive hunted for one for several years and have had terrible luck trying to get one that is in true usable condition.

[koreanphish]

I got a silver chrome one and it is really a joy to use! It's about 1400 USD to get a functional M5 with working meter and no gunk in the finder. I think it is worth it if you really like using one and plan to use it often! Good luck with your search!

[Ethanhansen_photo]

Great video. I got my M5 last June after thinking about it for a long time, and its been fantastic. The shooting experience really is unlike any other Leica I've tried. It's cool to see the M5 getting more love lately. It's a seriously underrated camera.

[krolldavid]

Thanks. I enjoyed the video and hearing about your journey

[RegFos]

Thanks for the review! There are still M5's out there in excellent condition. I was lucky enough to fine one a couple of years ago in great working condition - Excellent body( no dings or dents), minimal brassing, & a clean viewfinder/patch. So, I used an MR9 adapter for the battery and shot it as purchased for a while before sending it in for a CLA and reskin. It has been one of my favorite M cameras to use. You're right; it's very ergonomic and quick in use. Although it may be marginally larger than other M's, the size difference isn't something I've noticed in use. It really is a fantastic M camera. Glad you're enjoying using yours.

[damofg]

I got an M5 a few years ago and got it CLA'd by Sherry Krauter at Golden Touch. It is so smooth, fast to adjust and firm in the hand that it is more used than my M6 or MP. I love the metering match needles in the viewfinder that allow me to gauge the level or over or under exposure and that I can see the shutter speed as well. If I had only one camera going forward it would be this one!

[ezekielkok]

So sad to hear your story bout the m5 from Japan. Japan was like the gold standard for buying from eBay. I bought one locally and it’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Agree that the thumb dial is huge and awesome in position. Hope you get a good one soon

[sputumtube]

I understand your concern with buying from Japan. I bought a Nikon F2AS with a 55mm f1.2 lens for a total of around £500 (UK sterling). Despite the seller's assurances that the camera and lens were both flawless, I paid for a professional CLA upon it's arrival at a further cost of £114. The seals were useless and the shutter was sticking. All sorted now of course. The camera service facility advised me to claim the price of the CLA back from the seller but I didn't want the hassle. The prices for the same deal regarding a Leica M5 would be much more so I can understand your hesitancy. I hope you can agree a deal with Simone Moriana.

[Caballeroshot]

I’ve bought numerous cameras from Japan without issue and eBay has always, or at least in the last 5 years or so, had an eBay guarantee regardless of return policies from the seller. Click the return button, return label is generated and off it goes. I’m on the hunt for an M5 and your video makes me wonder if the Japanese leicas just aren’t very well kept.

[Kref]

Over the last decade I bought and sold several Leicas. My first was an M3, then I bought an M6, then I sold the M3 and bought an M2, then I sold both, now I own an M5.

The M5 is by far my favorite from a user‘s perspective. I do agree with others that it does not look as nice as the other ones, but I do not care at all, because I do not place it on a shelf to look at but I take it out to shoot. Its ergonomics is better than any other M I used so far.

The shutter dial on the front, the speed indication in the viewfinder and the tight measuring area that is clearly indicated in the viewfinder is simply great, the M6 cannot compete with this as a shooter‘s camera in my opinion.

With the M6 I always had to set the shutter to a reasonable value using Sunny 16 as a startpoint, then adjust it hopefully a single click but to do so I had to take the right hand off the shutter, because the shutter knob is so far back that you cannot use it. I really disliked that with the M6. The older ones without a meter were ok, there I had to set up everything before lifting it to the eye anyhow, but the M6 annoyed me.


And by the way: I bought my M5 only a few weeks ago (August 2023) from a shop in Germany. Freshly maintained, adjusted to 1.55 V LR44 batteries, everything working, clean viewfinder. It shows signs of use, it actually would optically rate it comparable to yours, but it is in great technical condition. I paid only 999 EUR for the machine. Fantastic camera!

[KevinBjorke]

Glad you found a good M5! My favorite film Leica too, along with the CL. Match-needle FTW. Keep your eyes out for light leaks etc - Sherry Krauter is the True Master for M5 issues if you have any.

[absolute]

M5 is my second M body and no. 2 on my list, my no. 1 is M2

[andrewshieldsphoto]

I had an M5 for a short time and I was shocked by just how much I liked the ergonomics. Idk if you plan to give it another shot but I wanted to mention that the Weincell batteries sometimes need a little bit of foil in the compartment of the M5 to make proper contact. That meter may not have been dead but it sounds like the shutter was a mess anyway. Sorry you've had such bad luck sourcing one.

[legionchef]

Wow, you have had a lot of bad luck. I managed to get one for around £900 last year, and it all works just fine. I was thinking of selling it as I am trying to cut down on my 35mm cameras but you may have just convinced me to hold on to it. Are you sticking with your M3?

[Hackzyyz]

literally picked up amint one for 800 last week so idk maybe its just ebay i never buy expensive cameras online for that reason

[Dewree]

At this point, it seems 10 out of 10 times, you have to pay over market average to even get a working camera. That is beyond frustrating, since there really aren't any 1:1 fully mechanical alternatives. I myself bit the bullet of hoping electronics don't fail and got myself a Minolta CLE. Let's see how long that lasts. Might have no choice but to invest in the future.

[simonemoriana]

If you want I’m selling my M5, mechanically perfect conditions! It passed through a shop for CLA and everything it needed. Esthetically has a few issues with the leather but not that a problem. Let me know if you’re interested ✌🏻

[chumleyk]

This is just a video complaining about sellers on ebay. Ive never known someone with so much bad luck unless you were going for the cheapest you could find.

[aleksusnemo]

счас на мобильник можно снять лучше чем на лейку )))