Has anyone tried this?

[Michael Matt]

I have an M3 with a 50mm cron that I shoot Delta 100 b&w 95% of the time. Occasionally I run into low light conditions that would require greater ASA/ISO during the middle of a roll of film or I find a shot I wish I had color available at that moment. I am thinking of buying a used Fuji X-E1 body with a Leica M adapter for those rare occasions so I can pump up the ISO and/or change to color and still use my cron. Has anybody out there done this and with what results? Do you have any samples? Is the expensive Fuji adapter needed to sync with my "type 4" cron? Any help and your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[edge100]

Great idea...if you can live with the effective 75mm angle of view from the 50 Cron on the X-E1.

The Fuji adapter is not required. In fact, some folks will tell you that the Rayqual adapter is the best there, since the Fuji (and all the other cheaper adapters) apparently focuses past infinity.

 

[oftheherd]

Have you ever noted the exposed frame number, rolled the film back in its container and leaving the leader out, then put in another roll? You need to mark the film with the frame number so you can go 1 past that. You need to always load you film the same way, such as the end of the leader at the sprocket holes. Has always worked for me.

OTOH, if you are just looking for justification to buy the Fuji, go for it.

 

[zauhar]

You could of course consider a second M camera body, although that would limit you to color in one and pushed film in the other, given your scenario. My own habit is to carry a canon 7 with 50/1.4 and Portra 400 as a second, which sort of covers all the bases.

But +1 to the comment from offtheherd, if you REALLY want the Fuji, you should just get it.

Randy

 

[shadowfox]

I'm just curious, what would be the difference between using a Summicron in that configuration versus using Fuji lens that comes with the camera (X-1 or XE-1 or whatever).

Would you even be able to tell?

 

[Michael Matt]

I love shooting my M3 with my cron. They are light weight, simple, using the sunny 16 rule I set the exposure well before I take the shot, and I can focus on composition rather than the camera. Personally, it gives me the experience/feeling of an artist/photographer (even though i'm a hack). However, I am not critical of those who shoot digital, it has "worlds" of advantages, it's just me.

I do agree with you, if I was in the market for digital Fuji IMO is the way to go considering weight, price, IQ, and simplicity, etc.