richard_g

<p>Well, Robert, it was called the musical Leica. While the meter moves slowly to its recess after the shutter button is depressed there is the bouncing sound of the meter springing back into position when you cock the shutter which makes for a bit of racket. My M5 and M6 were serviced within a year of each other and the 1/30s on the M5 is 75dB and the M6 is 72 db. The M2 has Ektar in it so I can't test that. I still think the M5 is a marvellous machine. You know those little dogs that people like to have and that you can pick up with one hand or even carry in a bag? That's the standard M and I love it, indeed also for its compactness. But the M5 - that's a big dog. You can pat just its head with a large hand, and you don't have to bend far from the waist to do it. Alex is curious to try one. He just has to do it.</p>

<p>I think it's a great working camera. It's perfect for the Zeiss lenses I have. I went on holiday with just the tiny VC 25 and the ZM 25 finder. Like having no lens at all on the front of the huge M5. The three-branded machine turned a few heads that trip.</p>

<p>And, I even take better pictures with the M5 I reckon. I am now using an M9 most of the time. It's also bigger than the M2. My best shots in the last 5 years were taken with the M5. I think changing Ms every now and then gives a new perspective that I enjoy. I only have film in the M2 at the moment. I won't be getting rid of any of these cameras, and especially not this M5.</p>

<p>Front on</p><div></div>

<p>With the ZM 21 4.5 C Biogon</p><div></div>

<p>With the C Sonnar</p><div></div>

<p>Leitz WETZLAR</p><div></div>

I love the size. If you like women you want to have more woman to love. It's the same with Leicas. I also find the size is

not only perfect for my ZM C Sonnar, but holding the camera level and perfectly parallel to the face of a building with my

ZM 21 and 25 is much easier with the M5 than those dainty little Ms. Hanging the C Sonnar off the M2 looks too much,

and the camera tips forward too easily when set on a table. Young women always notice my cameras, with me very long

since unworthy of note, and they particularly love the brutalist M5. It is the most advanced M. Already skiing off piste in

2012 using a rangefinder I feel like Kubrick experimenting with a rare and specially engineered masterpiece beyond the

capability of a mere consumer item. Alex, don't miss out on this marvelous experience.

<p>Demerits: size and weight and its brutalist design and its loading which I have never mastered<br>

Merits:<br>

its size: a nice amount of space for the left hand in which I carry this camera<br>

its weight: I hand hold 1/2 and 1/4 better with this than my other Ms<br>

its brutalist lines: I am in love with the look of the M5, especially my chrome version<br>

the meter: match needle. Very accurate, more spot meter like than the M6<br>

the frame lines: Love the 50. A big 50 is so good on this camera. And the 35 seems easier than on my M2 with my glasses on.<br>

rewind: ratcheted, easy torque - like an OM in that regard.<br>

shutter speed dial: accessible with the index finger while looking through the finder<br>

the vertical hanging: stable, unobtrusive, and leaves the right hand free of impediments. Definitely prefer the two lug model.<br>

A great, great camera. Build quality similar to my M2.<br>

The most developed film Leica so far.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Melbourne</p><div></div>

<p>Not yet blue.....</p><div></div>

<p>Some browser error caused a repost - I swear.</p>

<p>Contre jour</p>

<div></div>

<p>NGV, Melbourne</p><div></div>

The lever on the front actuated with your left index finger. Push it towards the lens and you get the 90 frame lines.

<p>There are some remarkable stories of quick turn around and even loaner M9s on RFF. An NZ couple got a loan of one in Sydney and theirs was back from Melbourne on the Friday of the same week after repair. Leica seem to have stepped up the service, realizing that attracting and keeping the custom of professionals requires this.</p>

It is a good lubricant for the mounting flange too.

<p>Richmond</p><div></div>

<p>Enjoy it Jim. I remember your first posts here - the pictures so sharp and fresh from that IIIc. </p>

<p>Off the neighbour's car</p><div></div>

<p>Street near me. Some neglected beauties. This one for sale and no doubt for demolition. </p><div></div>

<p>Emulsion side, so not the pressure plate. How far from the sprocket holes? Has this happened from the start of your time with it? As Barry says, a burr on the edge of the film gate, or at the edge between the rails nearest the cannister, or the edge nearest the advance mechanism might be the culprit. You can feel easily with the tip of your little finger the smooth edge that the film crosses from the film cannister chamber, and at the other end your little finger might be small enough to feel past the advance gear spindle to check that. If you have a dud roll unused, try advancing and then rewind just enough to get the film off the tulip. You may be able to determine whether it is being scratched at the right end or the left end of the film gate as you look in the back.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>1. I am happy with all my current equipment, including M9 with top ISO 2500 and my 50 Summicron.<br /> 2. A camera that can deliver great files in rangefinder format at ISOs above 3200 is a fantastic development. Leica clearly see a market for the Monochrom, and they will have done slightly more homework on the concept than I have.<br /> 3. The increased resolution of the new 50 Summicron, which I suspect is worth pursuing with the fine detail digital files achievable with the digital cameras, requires the floating element and other cleverness that makes it expensive. Again, they will have done their homework. It isn't aimed at us. There may be pros who see the new Summicron as a way of avoiding the need to move to the S system. <br /> Leica has been pretty Apple-like in recent years, success after success. Remember all the rubbish about iPads (What is it actually for? etc). If I have some minor windfall I'll buy a Monochrom myself. I don't think I'll ever need the new 50 Summicron. And that looks ugly too.</p>

<p>Beautiful. Exciting camera. I have often thought of getting one. Still very expensive. I will wait a bit longer.</p>

<p>Tuesday afternoon</p><div></div>