Coming soon, another camera body

[SolaresLarrave]

This is camera porn... but heck, we all like it anyway.

<p>Dan Tamarkin had this nice piece of gear for sale in his store, and I just pulled the trigger. From the

description, this one may not need a visit to Sherry's Leica M5 spa. Here is a frontal, mug shot.

<p><center><img

src="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=84412&d=1296503269"><p></center>

Here is

the back...

<p><center><img

src="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=84413&d=1296503284"></center><p>Apparently,

it's a 135XXXX, in box, adapted for 1.5V batteries and ready to use. I guess it'll be landing here either on

Friday or sometime next week... and that'll be exciting, as I have a nice Summilux 35 and a Canon 50mm f1.2 ready

for battle.

<p>Of course, I must apologize for bragging... but this type of Leica is so rewarding. Needless to say, this is my last Leica too! <p>Hmmm... if I could lay my hands on a 28mm finder... <p>

[paul_wheatland]

<p>I also was looking for a 28mm finder. At a camera show in Boston, I found a 28mm made originally for Retina IIIs. The shoe was offset, and someone modified it to center the shoe. To a Retina collector, the conversion "trashed" the viewer, to me it works perfectly for use on a Leica, thus the low cost $10 as is! To be honest I do not own a lens of that focal length for Leica LTM or M but have an adapter I bought years ago, that allows Nikkor SLR lenses wider than 35mm to fit Leica LTM. Hyperfocal distance focus works very nicely to accomodate 20, 24 and 28mm Nikkors on my Leica. I believe the adapter was made in Germany many years ago. Wide open it may not quite make infinity, but my usual f8 and f11 apertures pose no problem whatsoever! </p>

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd like a 28mm finder because the M5 does not have framelines for 28mm glass. Granted, Sherry could add them for something like a hundred bucks, but at this point I'm not ready for that. Besides, I don't use a 28mm lens that often.

 

There's also the notion that the full viewfinder with the 90mm framelines shows the FOV of a 28mm lens. I've been working with it for a while, but then, for accuracy in framing, I think the finder would help.

 

But there's no rush. I wish I could find your kind of bargain, Paul. Thanks for posting about your experience!

[leicaglow]

<p>Rats! Your picture links are broken.</p>

[mukul_dube]

<p>Text-only pornography is perfectly acceptable. Many generations of men had nothing else.</p>

[SolaresLarrave]

Sorry, folks, didn't know my photos only appear in my machine.

 

Let's see...<div></div>

[SolaresLarrave]

Here's the back.<div></div>

[starvy]

<p>Very pretty indeed!</p>

[JAPster]

<p>here they are 700 dots wide.... courtesy of the mighty IrfanView ....</p>

[JAPster]

<p>here they are again</p><div></div>

[JAPster]

<p>back view</p><div></div>

[SolaresLarrave]

Thanks, Alan. These photos aren't mine; Don Tamarkin took them on Monday, Jan 31 (or so I believe).

[paul_neuthaler]

<p>Francisco, you can have my 28mm MINT, with box, Leitz Briteline finder -- ain't cheap. Email me.</p>

[mike odell]

<p>This M5 looks like a two lug model. I thought the two lugger was an earlier model. Mine is 135XXXX and it's a three lugger. May not be relavant. Nice camera for sure tho. Cheers</p>

[sitemistic]

<p>I've owned most Leica models, but the M5 remains my favorite. Fits my large hands better than the other M's and is just a pleasure to shoot. And I prefer the chrome to the black, as well. You will enjoy this camera!</p>

[andresainderichin]

<p>And to think there are people out there, yeah, even publishing comments on this very forum, who think the M5 is an ugly camera!!!! Barbarians, all...</p>

[SolaresLarrave]

For years, I thought the M5 was the coolest looking Leica, but after getting a few regular M bodies I didn't want to voice my opinion... until now: it is really the coolest Leica body. I already have a black body, so a silver was... a nice idea!

<p>

The camera may have been shipped today, Wednesday Feb 2, 2011. I was hoping to have it in my hands by Friday, but I guess it'll be until Monday. In the meanwhile, I can only say good things about <a href="http://www.tamarkin.com/">Tamarkin Camera</a> and Don Tamarkin. Sure, it's probably priced above KEH, but the service is first class.

[rgerraty]

A chrome M5 looks great. I have one. Love the heft of it. Those smaller Ms are from the jewellers, but the M5 is from

the machine shop. Everything is right about it, and its genius is laid bare in chrome.