Leica M5 2 Lug 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body, Chrome

Leica M5: the M-series body that introduced TTL metering.

The M5 arrived in 1971 as Leica's first M-mount body with built-in TTL metering, a decision that changed how M-system shooters worked in the field. The CdS meter cell sits on a pivoting arm that swings into the light path before each exposure, reading directly off the shutter curtain for accurate TTL measurement. Shutter speeds run from 1 second to 1/1000s plus Bulb, giving the cloth focal plane shutter a range that covers most available-light and daylight situations without a separate handheld meter in your bag.

The 2-lug configuration is the detail that separates this variant from the 3-lug production run. Strap attachment points sit at the top of the body, keeping the camera oriented horizontally on the chest, a meaningful ergonomic difference for photographers who wear their camera all day. Swing-out film loading, carried forward from earlier M bodies, remains one of the more practical film-handling systems on any manual 35mm camera. The coupled rangefinder and viewfinder share a single eyepiece, and the Leica M bayonet mount accepts the full range of M-mount glass, including decades of lenses produced before and after this body's 1971-1975 production window. For a film shooter who wants metering integrated into a M body without adapters or hot-shoe additions, the M5 is the direct answer.

Who It's For

Street photographers who shoot M-mount glass and want metering built into the body than bolted onto a shoe will find the M5 does the job without compromising the rangefinder workflow. Documentary and travel shooters working in mixed light benefit from the TTL CdS cell, which removes the need to carry a separate meter. Collectors focused on M-series production variants will note the 2-lug configuration as a distinct variant from the 3-lug majority run. Film photographers transitioning from metered SLRs to rangefinder shooting get the exposure feedback they're used to inside a body that accepts the full Leica M lens catalog.

Key Features

• TTL CdS metering with pivoting arm reads directly off shutter curtain
• 2-lug strap configuration keeps camera horizontal for all-day wear
• Cloth focal plane shutter, 1s to 1/1000s plus Bulb
• Leica M bayonet mount compatible with entire M-system lens lineup
• Coupled rangefinder and viewfinder in single eyepiece
• Swing-out film loading without removable back plate
• Chrome finish, 35mm film format
• 1971-1975 production run

FAQ

What's the difference between the M5 2-lug and 3-lug versions?

The 2-lug configuration has strap attachment points at the top of the body, keeping the camera oriented horizontally on your chest. The later 3-lug version moved lugs to the side, changing how the body hangs and balancing differently during all-day wear.

Does the M5 meter work with modern film speeds?

The CdS meter reads directly off the shutter curtain and couples to the shutter speed dial, so it works with any film - you set the ISO manually on the top plate and the meter adjusts its reading accordingly. It's built for hands-on exposure control, not automation.

What battery does the M5 need?

A 1.35V mercury cell (PX625) or modern equivalent like a Wein MRB battery. Mercury batteries are no longer manufactured, but MRB replacements work identically without modification.

How does film loading work on the M5?

The back swings open on a hinge - no removable back plate required. You swing it out, insert the canister, thread the leader across the sprockets, and close the back. It's faster and more intuitive than many contemporaries.

Can I use modern M-mount lenses on this body?

Yes. The M5 uses the standard Leica M bayonet, so any M-mount lens from any era fits. The rangefinder couples to lenses with standard cam profiles, covering the typical focal length range from 28mm to 135mm without adapters.

What shutter speeds does it have?

1 second through 1/1000s in one-half stop increments, plus Bulb for long exposures. There's no flash sync speed marked separately - the entire speed range syncs with flash, though most users kept it at 1/125s or slower for practical flash work.

Is the TTL metering accurate enough for serious work?

The meter reads off the shutter curtain in the actual film plane, so it measures what the film sees. It's more accurate than external meters for scenes with strong backlighting or unusual contrast - you're metering the actual exposure, not a guess from outside the body.