43 years old and still working, I doubt that any digital camera cam be doing the same. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the M5 who is a wonderful camera. I´m Leica shooter as well, but I'm a R shooter man.
The M5 is a very under appreciated camera. I've just bought a Nikkormat FTN for a fraction of the price of an FM and it's great to shoot with. Happy Holidays from the UK!
Kirk, I really loved this video. It would be wonderful to take a few photos on that m5. I think it’s just incredible that this has been yours since forever. Just amazing.
Thanks Colin. I’m getting it back in a couple of weeks. The meter stopped working so I sent it off to a trusted source to be fixed. The previous fix it shop was terrible.
@@KirkWilliamsonphotography yup I’d a similar issue getting repairs when I lived in Australia. Like go to the Netherlands or Germany now I’m back in Europe.
Yes your options there are much better. Here in the US we have four trusted sources. One is Leica in NJ. My M-P 240 went in to be cleaned and CLA’d they wanted to replace the top plate because it had some brassing. The cost was going to be over $1000 US. So no way including that. It was still around $700 US. The guy I use is a Chinese guy and his wife. They are excellent but they don’t work on electronic Leicas. So it had to go to one of the others.
@@KirkWilliamsonphotography the place in the Netherlands has worked on my Leica m4 twice and my m8.2 range finder thankfully has been going strong. I know one day it won’t end it’ll be an ornament with great memories :) then I’ll be getting your advice on the m-p 240 acquisition 🤣
Great video. Your absolutely correct about each frame can cost a lot. I shoot and develop my own, it saved a lot in quantity. I have myself down to about 30 cents a shot for a 36 exp. roll of Ektar 100 in 35mm film. I’m at about 80 cents a shot in Ektar 100 in 120 film (6x6), and about 5.00 a shot on 4x5 Ektar 100 large format. Like you say, it’s a great way to learn, it makes me think about my compositions and lighting. The issue with digital, it about 2 cents a shot or even less depending on the cost of the camera, shutter capacity and memory cards. My issue with digital, it just don’t motivate me the same, I make too many shots with digital... film forces me to slow down.
Calumet - Yes this was the whole point behind the exercise. The M5 needs to go back and get the meter straightened out as it went bonkers on me after I finished this video. When I get it back I plan on doing more.
Derek - If you do look for an M5 be careful. The shutters are not replaceable according to one tech that worked on mine. My meter needs to be fixed and I can't wait to get that done. the M6 is the best film Leica with a meter no doubt.
I have the same camera and it’s interesting to see your process and results. I’d love to see your development process as well. I grew up in New England and this video makes me miss my old home. Very nice!
Sorry about that take a look at my latest M5 video much more about the camera. Leica M5 - IMPRESSIVE FILM CAMERA ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ya-3Nn8xwyw.html
My M5 stills needs work on the meter. My brother just gave me his Leicaflex SL film camera and some nice lenses. Can't wait to get them cleaned up and ready to shoot film again.
This is so neat. I still have my old Pentax ME. Probably haven't used it since 1975. I agree about the discipline film photography instills on the photographer. Of course back in the day I worked part-time in a B&W lab, so the opposite was true. I took many, many shots...at no cost to me ;)
Bill pretty much the same here. I worked full time as a photojournalist at a daily paper so film and processing were free. Then in the mid 90’s we started shooting EK snd started using a Wing Lynch for processing so even better. Then switched to Fuji Press 400 and 800 so we set the WL up for C-41 also very cool and free.
Nice shots Kirk, I shot film for many years and I’m not going back to it (haha), but even with digital I still slow down, take my time to compose and take the shot. Stay safe.
Fun video! It would be fun to see you set up one of you Fujis similar to the Leica and take similar shots and show the comparisons. I think it would be fun to watch the digital shots with the same limitations as the Leica. Again, fun vid!
Hi, I use a coolscan 4000 too and it looks like yours might need its mirror cleaned, the issues with the edges (as well as low contrast and glowy highlights) can be due to oil/dust on the mirror. It’s very easy to do and makes a big difference!
Kirk, I really envy you for all the great foto-opportunities you have at the ocean. Great shots you are showing! But why didn't you use your beatiful M5 for all these years? On the upside, you didn't decide to sell it and it is still with you! Thumbsup!
To be honest it was put away in a large case with all my Leica gear and I was a working full time photojournalist so not wanting to damage the gear I had it put away.
The M5 has often been thougt of as the ugly duckling of the Leica M- line. A bit different from the M4, M4P and the M6, but a great camera in it's own way.
Enjoyed your video (as usual). I've been shooting a bit of film recently too but to be honest, I've had more fun with a modern Fuji X100v, diffusion filter and FujiXWeekly recipes. I can get 99% of the look without the limitation / frustration of always having the wrong film in my camera for the situation! Stay safe and keep the videos coming