Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Fabian, The first Leica M camera with an integrated exposure meter was the Leica M5. This camera was introduced in 1971 and was manufactured until 1975. Nearly 34,000 units were produced in both chrome and black chrome finish. The camera used a CdS cell mounted on a moveable arm directly in the light path to take a reading. This arm swung downward out ot the way into the camera body as the picture was being made. The Leica CL also had a similar arrangement and this camera was introduced in 1972. Until the advent of the Leica M6 in 1984, these were the only M cameras with integrated light meters (although some might argue that the CL was not really an M camera). All other M cameras required an auxilliary meter such as the MC or MR meter, which was coupled to the shutter speed dial. Bill Rosauer