M5 Meter and Larger Viewfinder Mask

I understand the M5 meter is activated by cocking the shutter and can only be

turned off by making an exposure. If the system works this way, people who

meter a subject and decide not to take the picture have a meter turned on

draining the battery; how awkward!

 

Can you use the lens cap to cut off the meter to avoid running down the

battery? What do M5 owners think of the meter and larger mask for the

eyepiece? When wearing glasses can one see the edge of the 35mm frame?

"Can you use the lens cap to cut off the meter to avoid running down the battery?"

 

Quick answer Yesﾅ No light negligible battery drain. I've had my M5 meter ON for days

(no lens cap) without noticing. It obviously had some drain on the battery but it kept going

for many many months. The good thing with the M5 is you can always manually check the

condition of the battery.

 

You will get 1+ to 2 years of battery service with the factory standard 1.35 V HgO cells. I

you have a supply you will be laughing. Don't know how long for 1.5 V AgO cells, for those

cameras that have had a regulator fitted.

 

So the meter ON thing is not as great an issue as with M6 and onward models at leat with

the mercury cells.

 

I don't were eye glasses yet so I'll leave the other questions to those who do.

 

C.

IIRC when you remove the lens the meter stalk drops down below and the meter is shut off. I'm not sure if replacing the body cap springs the meter arm back up or not. I have one M5 but it's the anniversary model and still sealed in the box. Don't know about the eye mask any more than what I've heard. I also don't wear glasses so I never paid attention while looking at an M5. It's not a camera I was ever interested in using.