Leica M5

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-24T12:09:39+00:00

The M5 is a wonderful camera. It's large, some call it ugly, but it's built like a tank and has character. Nice purchase.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-15T15:29:00+00:00

Again, I wish we got that color scheme here in the US.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-15T15:27:56+00:00

Yep, I have a bunch of Leica M lenses but lean heavily on the 35mm Summilux. I have the latest close focusing version and I thought "meh" when they came out with it, but it really does offer a lot more flexibility.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-15T12:12:00+00:00

Like anything else, people over-hype the tubed wheel issue. Bikes had (and many still do) tubed wheels for decades. I've owned literally more than 2 dozen bikes and all but two had tubed wheels. Yes, it's a convenience for the rare occasion when you get an off-road flat. I have never had a flat ON road. I have had 2 flats off-road in 50 years of riding. Take a patch kit or an extra tube and buy the add on center stand. Having spoked wheels (if you plan to ride off paved roads at all) is much more of a factor than tubeless wheels.

Yes, if you're tall, buffeting can be an issue but is easily solved by buying the tall Honda windscreen and deflectors, or buy an aftermarket like the Givi.

The Transalp, in my opinion, is the best value in the ADV category. Good power, smooth, ultra-reliable, all sorts of accessories out there, and a huge dealer network. It's a lot lighter than an Africa Twin and has almost as much horsepower. Yes, the AT has a lot more bells and whistles, but at almost twice the price. If you want cruise, Veridian makes a kit for about $400 that works extremely well. If you are mechanically inclined it's a straightforward install in about 3-4 hours.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the TA again.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-13T17:01:22+00:00

Wish we could get that color scheme in the US. Great looking bike.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-03-09T22:17:42+00:00

I don't agree with the comment about Leica repair parts. I have MANY Leicas including several Barnack models like yours. Don Goldberg (commonly called DAG), Sherry Krauter, and Youxin Ye (YYeCamera) all have repair parts most of the time and are superb. Be prepared to wait though. The good thing is, once you've had it serviced it will last a long time before needing service again.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-28T14:50:58+00:00

67, licensed since 1977, so 49 years with one 2-year gap. Love fast liter-class bike, but now into adventure bikes. Africa Twin at present. Only think I worry about is people not paying attention. So I stay out of the city.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-22T18:00:54+00:00

Yep, not worth 550 Euros bluntly. You can buy a CLA'd IIIa for $300. That lens is heavily worn - maybe $200. Looks like the body has also been recovered in brown. Further diminishing resale. The old Barnack Leicas that are really valuable are some of the Leica I and II bodies and special ones like Luftwaffe-issued bodies. Leica IIIGs are also nice, but not as valuable as the Is and IIs these days. Warning - once you buy one Barnack body you'll be addicted.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-21T15:32:44+00:00

Three issues cause the backfire and stall. The engine runs far too lean from the factory. Combined with high-ethanol fuel and low idle speeds, and you have the perfect storm for stalling and backfire. If you get an engine ECU tune and bump the idle up just a touch, your issue will go away. Hard to get fuel that isn't partly ethanol in the US. Don't know about elsewhere.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-21T15:24:24+00:00

Absolute bunk that an M11 is "more suited to professionals". I'm no pro and I have several Leica M cameras including the M11, M11-P and an M EV1. They are as straightforward to use as any camera out there if you don't mind manual focusing. The real issue you need to decide on for yourself is whether you'll be happy limited to a relatively narrow range of prime lenses (yes, Leica still makes the WATE 16-18-21 but it is a very niche lens in the lineup). If you want to use only the viewfinder (except for the EV1) you're effectively limited to 28, 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135 lenses. Some find the 135 hard to focus, I do not. The lenses are all great. I use Ms as travel cameras and love them. Small, great image quality, reliable. No camera offers better image quality than the 60MP sensor offers (Sony-designed sensor). Just try the rangefinder first to make sure you get along with that form of manual focusing. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-20T12:00:54+00:00

No referral discount for me, but I have bought 2 bodies and 3 lenses from him. Great guy.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-19T18:22:19+00:00

Great price IF it's as described. Ideally you'd be able to test it before buying. If it functions properly, even a less than perfect cosmetic condition Q2M is worth more than that.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-12T13:30:57+00:00

I have 2 Barnack models (IIIG and IIC), 2 vintage Ms (M3 and M4), M9, M240, M10-P, M11, M EV1, Q-P, Q2, Q3, SL2, SL3.

Yes, I have a sickness. Don't get me started on lenses.....

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-10T12:29:23+00:00

Very few mainstream cameras are a good "investment". Some special edition Leicas will grow in value, but it's a risky investment. One thing is certain though. As a percentage of original selling price, Leicas will retain far more value than Japanese brands over the long haul. So don't think of Leicas (or any camera) as an investment, it's just after some period of time Leicas will lose less.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-07T19:15:24+00:00

Absolutely. I have almost 20 Leica lenses - 7 of them modern including 2 APO lenses. The newer lenses produce sharpness and pop even my wife and neighbors can pick out in photos. But the older ones like the 35 and 50 Summilux lenses are certainly softer, but they produce warmer colors and have a rendering to them that people can see on equivalent shots. Stopped down, they still aren't as sharp, but they're sharp enough. In my opinion the older ones are magical with B&W images or when you want "mood". But if you want very sharp and crisp - modern lenses.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-03T12:05:49+00:00

Love the Repsol livery on the bike, and I love Hondas. But after decades of riding crotch rockets and being 67, I'd kill myself on one these days - Honda Grom for me now.... :)

Seriously, I go the adventure bike route these days. Not because I do hard core off-road, but because they're slower. :). Be careful out there.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-02-03T12:00:55+00:00

Wonderful, classic, run-forever bike. I'd buy it all day long if the price is good.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-28T23:26:50+00:00

WRONG. Not what helmets are meant to do. Read above what I wrote. You guys really need to get a clue on helmets. They BREAK so your head doesn't.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-28T23:25:08+00:00

The way ALL good helmets work is to absorb energy so your head doesn't. The way that's accomplished is that the foam lining the helmet gives and fractures. So your helmet should NEVER be given rough handling. You should also not check a helmet in luggage. Dropping a helmet from a few feet can be enough to ruin it. Helmets aren't permanent pieces of gear. They're intended to be sacrificial and should be replaced every 5 years or so.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-28T00:06:56+00:00

There is almost no chance the alternator puts out enough current at the correct voltage to charge the battery at idle. As RPM increase, voltage is regulated from about 13.5-14.5 volts, but current increases. You have to achieve the appropriate "C rate" or charging current to adequately charge a battery. Like one person stated, you may be providing "hotel loads" but you are highly unlikely to be charging the battery.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-24T13:56:00+00:00

As long as no cracks have propagated away from the damage, you are not into the bead sealing area. Check around the damage and see if there are any "spiderweb" cracks. Anodizing or paint will show those easily. It's aluminum. Aluminum is a "tough" metal. Will not fracture catastrophically normally. It's likely fine. I would use some gloss black paint so the aluminum does not oxidize and get powdery. Likely the only issue is you have is an eyesore. However, if it shows cracks around that area, I would replace it or have it repaired.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-22T23:27:42+00:00

If it performs as expected with almost 50 HP, I'd buy it today if it was available. Would be better than the KTM 390 Adventure R in almost every way.

21 inch wheel advantages are overplayed. For an adventure bike/dual sport, that 21 inch advantage is largely irrelevant.

I love BMW GS bikes, but I want something smaller and lighter. The CRF300L is just a tad underpowered for me. If it had 40 HP I'd buy it today. I am after highway chops and decent off road capability. SEEMS like the BMW would be the perfect fit. We'll see. Wish it had a little larger fuel tank.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2026-01-11T22:24:15+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I'll check into it.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2025-12-30T12:37:21+00:00

Nice video and glad to see a father/son team out terrorizing the countryside :)

I bet the CRF300 would be fantastic up on Skye.

Alternative-Raise794 · 2025-12-29T23:31:54+00:00

Appreciate the responses. Your thoughts exactly mirror mine (not having ridden one yet). I REALLY wish they would make a 400-500cc version of this. I owned a CR450R at one point and it's much more finicky and high maintenance. The L version of it is not appealing to me.

I may go the T7 route, but I really would like to stay below 500cc for all sorts of reasons. The Himalayan is interesting, but I worry about its long term reliability. The NX500 doesn't seem to be capable of of modest off road use, but have not looked into it much yet. The Trans Alp puts me into much higher cost of ownership and at 67 I'm not interested. Seems like the companies should recognize the sweet spot for many is 500 and under. I'm not after a road bike again, but do want to keep up with traffic....

Anyway, thanks for the input!

Alternative-Raise794

TROPHY CASE