The most serious shortcoming of the Leica M style camera in competition with the SLR was the lack of TTL metering. The Leica M5 was Leica's first attempt to overcome this obstacle. This required a bigger and heavier body.
The body shape of the M5 was totally different from the rest of Leica's M-series bodies, being longer and taller, with a tapered shape at each end. TTL metering was achieved by a CdS cell mounted on a arm just in front of the shutter. The arm swings out of the way as the shutter release is pressed. Exposure was set by matching the shutter speed with the meter needle, both visible in the viewfinder.
Shutter speeds ranged from 1/2 to 1/1000. Speed 2, 4, 8, 15 and 30 seconds were also marked, but had to be timed manually with the shutter set to B. The shutter speed dial is located under the wind-on lever and slightly overlapping the front of the camera. The overlapping of the dial was designed so that it could be operated with the finger while watching the needle in the viewfinder.
Film speed is set by a knurled knob on the top-plate with DIN and ASA scales visible through two small windows. The viewfinder had 35, 50, 90 and 135 mm frame lines of the M4, and a small barrel shaped outline in the middle defining the spot metering area with a 50 mm lens.
The M5 camera was available in black or silver chrome. The camera had loops instead of lugs for the shoulder strap to be installed. Variations: Early cameras only had two strap loops on the side for vertical hanging. A third loop could have been added at the factory so that the camera could be hung in the normal horizontal position. Later production models added a stiffer locking spring to the shutter speed dial to reduce the danger of accidentally moving the dial. There was a special limited edition model made for the 50th Anniversary of the first production Leica. This was marked by a limited edition engraving "50 JAHRE" on the front plate, only 1750 anniversary models were produced.
"Messsucher", the "M" in the Leica M System, is a term describing the combination of rangefinder and viewfinder. True to the M legacy, the M5 maintains the form, control placement, and durability of its predecessors. Through a bright viewfinder the photographer can approach subjects with greater context and manual focusing flexibility. Without the finder blackout of traditional SLR cameras, shooting with the M5 allows users not only to capture the precise moment, but to truly experience it as well. Powerful yet highly portable, the Leica M5 is a precise photographic tool designed for discerning photographers and imaging professionals everywhere.
Some top features of the M5
- 35 mm film format
- Full manual camera
- TTL metering
- Quiet mechanical shutter
- Shutter speeds 1/2 - 1/1000 - bulb
- M mount lenses
- Hot shoe plus 2 back sync contacts
- Self-timer
- 0.72 finder
- Battery 625 mercury cell
- Weight 625 g
*Note - Some lenses can not be used on the M5 without factory modification to avoid damage to the metering cell and the reap optics. These were the 28 mm Elmarit below 2,314,921 and the 21 mm Super Angulon below 2.473,251. Nor could collapsible lenses be collapsed.
Item Specifics
Leica product code BLK 10502, SLV 10501
S/N 1359106
This particular M5 was manufactured in 1973. The camera is very clean and shows no signs of excessive use or abuse. The viewfinder is clear and bright. The film compartment is clean, dust-free, and the shutter curtain is in excellent condition. The cladding is clean and shows no wear or heavy use.
Service has been completed recently by DAG Camera. The work performed was to convert meter to new style, and clean, lubricate, and adjust all parts for proper working order. Overall, this M5 is in excellent condition.
Item includes
The M5 body with body cap, Ever-ready case, and neck strap.
Warranty
Leica Store Miami 30-Day Used Warranty
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