LEICA M5
Leitz produced the Leica M5 in 1971191, a time when rangefinder sales were threatened by the rapid growth of the SLR market. This was a bold move for the company, showcasing many advancements over its predecessor, the Leica M4, which had been released in 1967. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of through-the-lens (TTL) metering, along with a large shutter speed dial that extended over the top plate. However, the Leica M5 was larger than its predecessors, which did not sit well with users, particularly due to the vertical strap lugs on one side of the body. As a result, sales were disappointing, leading to the discontinuation of production in 1975341.
Upon introduction, Leica M5 received a rather lukewarm reception. One reason for this was its notably different design compared to earlier models like the Leica M2, Leica M3, and Leica M4. The Leica M5 was longer, taller, heavier, and lacked the sleek profile that had characterized its predecessors. Additionally, the shutter did not produce the distinctive "snick" sound associated with previous M models, which led long-time Leica enthusiasts to question the design direction at Leitz. Another significant change was the addition of two strap fittings (lugs) on the left side of the camera, allowing it to be carried vertically over one shoulder—an unusual feature for Leica's M series. Although a third lug was later added to facilitate horizontal carrying, this departure from traditional designs raised further eyebrows among Leica fans. While aficionados recognized the high-quality workmanship typical of Leitz, the Leica M5 represented a significant shift in both appearance and operation from earlier M models201.
Technical Specifications
The Leica M5's slowest shutter speed is 1/2 second, and longer exposures require the "B" setting. Shutter speeds range geometrically from 1/2 to 1/1000, with a specially marked 1/50 for flash synchronization. It was the first Leica M model to feature a hot shoe. The ASA/DIN setting dial, which is linked to the built-in meter, is located on the top of the camera. The Leica M5 also includes a unique fold-out rapid film rewinder on its removable base plate. Additionally, it features the popular three-prong rapid load system, which first appeared in the Leica M2R and Leica M4 cameras201.
The Leica M5 had a unique feature that future rangefinder Leicas lacked for another 13 years: a built-in, through-the-lens (TTL) exposure meter201. Leica M5 was the second Leica to have string as part of its light shield100. Leica M5 was also the first Leica to use Phillips head screws100.
In the Leica M5 viewfinder, the frame lines were set for 35mm and 135mm combined, with a separate line for 50mm (which included circular indicator lines for the spot meter) and another for 90mm. Near the bottom of the 35mm frame was the exposure metering readout strip. Initially, the metering strip was positioned slightly below the bottom of the 35mm frame, which created some confusion about the actual bottom of the frame, as the only indicators were two short bits of frame at both ends of the metering line279.
The metering strip remained fixed while the parallax correction mechanism adjusted the rest of the frame downward for closer focusing. As the lens was focused closer, the metering strip visually aligned more closely with the bottom of the frame. Later, the cameras could be modified by authorized service departments to align the exposure strip with the bottom of the 35mm frame at infinity focus. This modification meant that the finder would crop a small portion from the bottom at the nearest focus, but it was beneficial in all other situations. It is likely that many Leica M5 cameras received this modification279.
To properly align the metering cell with a 50mm lens, the metering spot is indicated by four arched lines that outline the circle of the cell. For a 35mm lens, the four corners of the 135mm frame are utilized. When using the 90mm and 135mm lenses, the rangefinder spot is referenced; it is used loosely for the 90mm lens and tightly for the 135mm lens. The ends of the rangefinder spot are rounded to provide a more accurate representation of the metering spot for the 135mm lens279.
The loading mechanism is similar to that of the Leica M6, featuring a fixed take-up spool with “petals” designed to grip the leader. Additionally, there is a wheel attached to the base plate that helps position the leader. However, one notable difference is that the spool is removable, making it much easier to unload film that has torn away from its cassette spool279.
Unlike other M cameras, the bottom plate lock key is located at the opposite end, along with a rectangular, flat pin that secures the bottom plate. Despite this change, the tripod socket remains at the winder end of the camera, positioned concentrically with the locking key279.
Metering is achieved by aligning two sliding pointers located on the horizontal exposure strip at the bottom of the frame. One pointer is controlled by the shutter dial (and the ISO dial), while the other is influenced by the light entering through the lens. When the two needles intersect, the exposure reading is accurate279. The light that illuminates the exposure strip comes from a transparent plastic insert located at the top front edge of the camera, above the viewfinder, rather than from the frame-line illumination window. This light source tends to receive more illumination when the camera is held horizontally compared to when it is positioned directly in front of the subject. As a result, it may not capture as much light in situations where the only available illumination is coming directly from the front279.
The Leica M5 requires a different 1.35V battery from the original mercury PX13/PX625. The best substitute author have found is a CRIS adapter that houses an S-76 battery, which provides the same voltage as the original battery and has a reasonably long lifespan. There may be other battery options available that are just as good279. To test the battery, move the frame selector lever away from the lens to its stop and observe whether the meter needle reaches the cutout at the lower right of the finder’s metering strip279.
Finishes
The Leica M5 was made in both silver chrome and black chrome versions201.
Height and Weight
It has a height of 84 mm, a length of 155 mm, and a width of 36 mm. The viewfinder magnification is 0.72x, and the rangefinder base length is 68.5 mm. The weight is 700 g191.
Issues
Some of the initial aloofness began to transform into disdain when an early issue started to emerge. The Leica M5 featured a shutter speed setting ring that extended slightly beyond the camera's top plate, allowing the user to adjust the shutter speed without taking their eye away from the viewfinder. However, early Leica M5 models had a weak spring under this setting ring, which made it too easy for the ring to shift. As a result, a shutter speed adjustment could accidentally be changed once it was set201.
Leitz quickly produced a "fix kit" to address this issue and modified cameras in production. Despite this, the Leica M5 began receiving unflattering descriptions due to this deficiency. Users questioned whether the camera had been thoroughly field-tested, unlike the earlier M models. Although Wetzlar corrected this defect in its production cameras by early 1972, the Leica M5 continued to face an identity crisis201.
After the camera had been in service for a while, another, more serious problem surfaced. Early Leica M5 models, generally those with serial numbers under 1300000, began to experience cracked main shutter rollers201.
Prototype of Leica M5
The only known prototype of the Leica M5 camera is the model engraved with "M5," which features black enamel and bears the serial number 50135012—a typical prototype number for the M series, found in the fifty-million range360. This camera differs from the two prototypes of the Leica M4 in several ways: it lacks a match needle on the top plate, has a hot shoe with a built-in synchronization mechanism, and includes synchronization spots near the eyepiece360. When the Leica M5 was finally launched in 1971, it closely resembled camera number 50135012360.
Gifts
In 1974, a Leica M5 camera with the special serial number 1359999 was awarded to Leopold Godowsky, replacing his stolen Leica III Model F with chrome finish, which had the serial number 15000048. It is unusual but the serial number 1359999 is also associated with a Leicaflex SL258.
Special Editions
To commemorate 50 years since launch of Leica I Model A, a limited number of Leica M5 cameras were available with the "50 JAHRE" crest55 in 1975201. These cameras featured a special engraved logo and unique numbering201. Today, these anniversary editions are highly sought after by collectors, as only 1750 were made201. Each of these 1750 cameras had a special number consisting of one letter from the word LEICA and a three-digit number. "50 Jahre" (50 years) - surrounded by a laurel wreath - was engraved on the front of the top plate357.
Closing Remarks
Despite the extensive preparation period, the M5 had a short production run and was discontinued by 1977360, with only about 33,000201 units produced. As the years passed after its final production in 1975, the M5 gradually faded into obscurity. It was not considered a highly sought-after collectible201.