The meter's circuit is powered up by winding the camera, and shuts down when the shutter is released. The ASA/DIN film speed knob is designed to prevent inadvertent change. The M5 exposure meter can be set from ISO 6/9° to ISO 3200/36°. An additional illuminator window at the top of the viewfinder illuminates the readout bar. Information from the exposure meter is displayed using a dual match needle system at the bottom of the viewfinder. The exposure meter uses a circular CdS cell 8.5 mm in diameter (coverage with 50 mm lens = 21°), and having a sensitivity of -0 (some estimates claim -1) - 20 Ev at 100 ASA (0.3-0.4 asb at f/1.4 to 200 000 asb 0,06 to 32.000 cd/m2). Leica M4-P framelines may be optionally installed (typically the MP coated glass element will be installed at the same time reported cost for both modifications c. Uniquely, its viewfinder displays both metered area and shutter speeds. The 35 mm and 135 mm frames appear together as a pair. Like the M4, the M5 viewfinder features bright-line frames for 35 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm, and 135 mm lenses. 72 magnification finders, the M5 can suffer from RF 'white-out' (where the focus patch disappears in some flare-inducing lighting conditions), but this is less pronounced than on all following M-series until the coming of the Leica MP (2003, in which Leica replaced a plastic viewfinder lens with a coated glass element to rectify the flare problem. Its lens surfaces are multicoated, reducing flare.

The M5 viewfinder does not have the blue tint of the earlier M2/M3. It is fully adjustable using setting screws, and is not glued as in the later M-series. The M5 is sometimes said to have the best viewfinder of the M series (others prefer the original M3, and the current MP is perhaps even better). No other magnifications are offered with this model. The M5 has 0.72 viewfinder magnification, with a 68.5 mm RF Base Length and 49.32 mm Effective Base Length (79% focus accuracy). The M5's optical rangefinder / viewfinder mechanism is based on the M4 (itself based on the Leica M2 (1958). The shutter curtains travel at a relatively low speed which has as a consequence the 1/50 second flash sync speed.īlack Chrome 2-Lug M5 Rear View with optional Astigmatic Diopter The M5's redesigned horizontal travelling cloth focal plane shutter is reported to be the quietest of the M series. A marker for the film plane is engraved on the top of the camera housing. The M5 has a rapid transport lever which winds the shutter and advances the film and the frame counter in one single motion, or in a series of shorter motions. The M5 incorporates an improved rapid film loading spool design over the M4. The M5 was the last M to feature a mechanical self-timer (duration 5–10 seconds). The self-timer arm and the field-of-view preselector (now on the M5 additionally with battery test function) are of the same design as the Leica M4 (1967). The folding film rewinding crank hides in the bottom plate. The height and width of the body were larger (H 84 mm x W 150 mm x D 36 mm), and the body heavier (ca. The M5 departed from the traditional silhouette of the Leica rangefinders, that had few changes since the M3 (1954).

Leica m7 serial numbers year