Leica M4 & M5 a radical change and a flop, but how the revolution made actually some sense after all

Leica M4 & M5 a radical change and a flop, but how the revolution made actually some sense after all
The Leica M4 was an evolution from the M3 with both production and concrete user side enhancements. The M5 that followed however brought with it many changes that were not to the taste of the general public.
The M5 finally had an integrated and coupled light-metering system from the collaboration with Minolta, but to the expense of having a light sensor that would prohibit some older classic lenses and retractable ones.
And while Leica had to bring back the M4 in order to survive the market, the M5 did have however a few ergonomic changes that were quite smart, and with its squarish form factor has for some recently became a very interesting piece of equipment and of the history of the firm from Wetzlar.

[@miguelangelquintero1583]

Leica M5 la mejor cámara de todas!! Es un placer salir a las calles con ella.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

I got a very nice M5 a couple of years ago. I like it very much 😊.

[@sentimental7167]

The M5 is a beautiful (still) underrated camera. My grandfather had one. To me unique is that it was the last model with a selftimer, had a really nice big exposure time dial (no 1 sec, you only get it when using the selftimer - like on the Contax II) and the first model with an exposure meter. It also has a more usable rewind crank than the M4 (in my eyes). If I remember well, it is the only model to show exposure times in the viewfinder. Actually, a great design and fits well into one‘s hands… and a really unique look! According to Hasbroek around 27.000 M5s were made. I think the bright chrome versions are more rare, possibly the number you mentioned…

[@zand]

I definitely love using the M5, it definitely feels different in a good way, something like a polished stone. And one feels the unique and expert workmanship more than in any other model in my opinion.

[@rmle23]

No collaboration with Minolta here on the M5, it was only on R series.
This camera was designed and completely developed by leica, like all the others M cameras.

[@zand]

The collaboration was on the Leitz Minolta CL (CL for compact Leica) with a cell-arm that was very similar than the one on the M5, but yes not a collaboration.

[@Hasselbladcm]

I am so Glad My camera is an M4 I don't think I would like the M5 at all. I would probably trade it off soon after acquiring it .

[@zand]

It’s definitely a different experience. Would be nice to hear about those from Leica who had pushed for the changes amd how this “revolution” actually happened in house.

[@David-hk3ly]

AFAIK the M5 biggest drawback was its swing arm exposure meter. Technology had not advanced to putting light sensitive material on the shutter curtain which would have solved this problem. Also the size change was too drastic. Leica could have settled for something more compact had they done their homework.

[@zand]

Yes, when we retrospectively look at the technological choice, Leica must have really been desparate to have that light meter in to get along chosing that solution. The original strap attachments on the left side was also quite a rash design decision before they reintroduced the third loop on the right of the body in later models of the M5. Agreed also for the size and weight, thought my personal favorite M in ise is the M5.. Maybe having upgraded the CL to something more “brassy” could have been a real success but we’ll never know (the Minolta CLE is such a charm to use).