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Leica M5 Matt Black Edition Body with upgraded Meter and DAG CLA.
Leica M5 35mm film camera “Repaint” with “CLA”. 35, 50, 90 frame lines, this camera is a true work of art renewed with a recent CLA and custom paint job. Features an upgraded battery for the meter. Recent CLA and upgrade from DAG.
The Leica M5: Innovation Meets Tradition
Introduced in 1971, the Leica M5 was a bold departure from Leica’s traditional rangefinder design. It was the first M-series Leica to feature through-the-lens (TTL) metering—a significant technological advancement—but also the most controversial M camera ever made. Larger, heavier, and stylistically different, the M5 marked Leica's attempt to modernize amid the growing popularity of SLR cameras.
The standout feature of the M5 was its built-in light meter. It used a moving, swinging CdS (cadmium sulfide) cell that measured light off the shutter curtain during exposure preview. This allowed for accurate TTL metering without the need for external attachments. The meter was fully coupled to the shutter speed and aperture, and it used a simple needle readout in the viewfinder to guide the user’s exposure settings.
The M5 featured a larger body with a prominent shutter speed dial that could be adjusted with the photographer’s right index finger while maintaining a shooting grip—an ergonomic innovation. The shutter speeds ranged from 1 second to 1/1000s, and the camera retained the mechanical precision and quiet operation Leica was known for.
Another advancement was the inclusion of a built-in battery check, film reminder dial, and a new rewind crank design.
Today, the M5 is appreciated by collectors and shooters who value its metering and solid build, and it stands as Leica’s most advanced all-mechanical rangefinder.
FAQs
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Why is Knoxville Film Lab so popular?
Regarding film development, you won't find a better team than the Knoxville Film Lab. We understand the precise science of film development and have over 45 years of experience.
Please visit our online shop today to view our film development options. Contact us today for all of your film development-related questions. One of our friendly team members will quickly assist you with all your needs.
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What is the best way to contact Knoxville Film Lab?
We can be reached by phone at 865-466-5831, by email at info@knoxvillefilmlab.com, or by submitting one of the contact forms on our website.
When you reach out to Knoxville Film Lab, you can expect fast and knowledgeable assistance with all of your film development needs.
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What is the difference between a premium scan and a basic scan?
Premium scans are color corrected in the scanner when the scan is made, as well as being corrected further in Lightroom and/or Photoshop. Premium scans are a finished product that you should be able to deliver straight to your client without any further enhancements or time spent by the photographer. Premium scans are great for the busy photographer who would rather spend his or her time shooting and not behind a computer editing scans.
Basic scans are made with all corrections for density and color made at the scanner itself and are not further corrected in Lightroom or Photoshop. This is a cheaper alternative to the Premium Scan and allows the photographer greater control to apply their own aesthetic and style to their work. Basic scans are, however, good scans and may not need further correction.
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How Long does it take to receive my scans?
The typical turnaround time for basic scans is 2 to 3 days (but could take longer depending on load) business day from the date your film arrives. Premium scans take a day or two longer.
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Do you process film locally?
Yes, we process C-41, BW, ECN-2, and E-6 in house. We use Fuji and Kodak chemicals as well as true ECN-2 chemicals.
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Can I set up a color pac with you so my scans look relatively the same each order?
Yes. Give us a call and email us some examples of images you like. We will try to match the look you prefer and consistently provide that to you for each order moving forward.
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How will I get my scans?
Once your film has been developed and scanned, you will receive an email to the address given on the order form (make sure it is legible). That link will be active for 4 weeks. You will be able to download your full-resolution scans. If you wish for your scans to be delivered via a USB drive, include a drive when you mail in your film, and we will mail back the drive once the scans are complete, along with your negatives if desired.
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What do you do with the negatives?
That is totally up to you. If you don't want them back, we will destroy them. If you wish for them to be mailed back immediately, we can do that.
If you wish for us to hold on to your negatives for 3 months while you submit other orders, we can do that as well and mail them all back at the same time.
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Do you scan old photos, movies, and video tapes to make them digital?
Well, yes, we do! Have a box of old photos laying around that you would like preserved or shared digitally? Well, we can help. For $0.20 a photo, we will scan your photos and deliver them to you digitally at 600 dpi or 1200 dpi ($0.25), which means you get a digital copy that can be printed at the same quality and is twice or 4 times as large as your original photo. You can keep them on a thumb drive or in the cloud with Dropbox or Google Drive. Ship us your photos or drop them off, and you can pick them up when we are done scanning them, or we can mail them to you. It is a great way to preserve old photos from a trip, vacation, wedding, or school memory. Give us a call for more details. Most old videos (VHS, VHS-C, VHS-S, Hi-8, mini-DV, Betamax for $20, 8mm, and Super8 movies are $15 per 50’.

