Leica M5 - Reception

Reception

Leica M5 sales were very disappointing, and production was halted in 1975 after 33,900 units (from 1287001 to last serial number 1384000; 10750 chrome and 23150 black chrome bodies). Cost on issue for the M5 body in today's currency (Consumer Price Index Integer) is ca. 4200 USD.

  • Rangefinder camera sales were seriously undermined during this period by the predominance of mass-produced SLRs, primarily from Japan. In addition, Leica unofficially continued selling the M4, and the Leica CL was fully represented in the market by 1973.
  • Often cited as also contributing to the poor sales are the larger size and weight, the departure from the classical M design, the impossibility of attaching a motor winder, as well as the incompatibility with certain deep-seated wide angle lenses and collapsible lenses (i.e. 28 mm Elmarit below serial number 2 314 920; further details contained in Older interchangeable lenses on the Leica M5, Leica Pub. 120-47 (1971)).
  • The larger body dimensions also prevent the use of many M series accessories, such as external hand grips, quick release plates for tripod heads, or the Leica Lens Carrier M.

Leica reverted to the M4 and its iterations, until the coming of the Leica M6 which offered the features of the M5, albeit through the use of more electronic circuitry, while retaining the classic M design. The M5 is now a relatively uncommon type, and their price on the second-hand market is comparable to that of the M6. M5's were discovered by Japanese collecters in the late '90s and their price experienced a sharp rise at that time.

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