Leica M5 Review - The odd one out from the 1970s

In this episode, Jules, Greg and I review the Leica M5, the first Leica M rangefinder with through-the-lens metering and the last to be built entirely by hand in Wetzlar using the traditional “adjust and fit” method.
The M5 is the odd one out in the Leica M line-up. It polarized the Leica community when first introduced in 1971 due to its different design, larger size and weight as well as technical features and continues to do so until today. A commercial failure in the 1970s, it brought Leica to the brink of bankruptcy and contributed to updated, cheaper production methods from then on.

The M5 could be had for very little money for a long time and was then rediscovered by Japanese collectors in the 1990s. When I started out shooting film, prices were still relatively inexpensive, around 500 or 600 Euros at the time and I once almost bought one. By now, the M5 has become much more expensive, typically running between 1.400-1.800 Euros in good to great condition.

In this video, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the M5 so special and why, maybe, it might just be the right M for your needs.

Gear used:
Leica M5
35mm LeicSummicron-M
50mm Leica Summicron-M

Films used:
Fuji Acros 100 II
Fuji Provia 100F
Fujicolor C200

All films were developed and scanned by my trusted Carmencita Film Lab in Spain:
https://carmencitafilmlab.com

If you'd like to get in touch or see some early behind the scenes footage, find me on Instagram:   / analog_insights