Attaching A Neutral Density Filter To An EC - A Hack
My biggest complaint about the Minox EC is that both the lens and shutter are too slow. The problem that I find is that slow film can only be used outside with good lighting and fast film can only be used inside. It turns out that I use my EC primarily for inside shots using Tri-X (400 ASA) film. This may not be the ideal emulsion for use in a subminiature camera, but I am generally happy with my results and it provides me with sufficient speed to take available-light photographs in many difficult situations. The problem of course is that, with the EC's top shutter speed of 1/500 and f5.6 lens, outdoor photos will be over-exposed by 2-4 stops using this film. Other Minox cameras provide built-in neutral density filters and I had long wished that the EC did also.
Here was my solution:
Figure 1. A supplemental Filter attached to an EC.
With the advent of super fast shutter speeds (1/2000+) most photographers have little need for neutral density filters now days and they are often sold for a few dollars a piece brand new. If you purchase one of these you can easily cut one or two rectangular areas out of the middle to use with your EC. The only trick is that if it is of sandwiched construction, like the Tiffen ND filter that I purchased for $2.00, you have to score both sides of the glass when cutting it to size and then just tap it until the glass snaps. You can then cut the inner plastic material with a razor blade. I then took a small file to the edges of mine to make them less sharp and then covered the edges with tape. I found some very tough and very thin black vinyl (hair) bands at the local Walgreens to hold the filter in place. The nice thing about these bands is that I can leave one of them around the camera and it doesn't detract from the camera's appearance (the filter itself of course looks rather ugly).
I carry the filter around in my pocket inside a small folded square of black paper and slip it on the camera on the rare occasion that I want to use my EC outside. I keep this ND filter with me more for emergencies than for day to day usage since I generally bring my Minox IIIs when I plan to be shooting primarily outside, but I am no longer in the uncomfortable position of being stuck with a camera that I can't use once I step outside.
The only real inconvenience is that you have to remember to compensate for the filter factor by changing the ASA setting which is actually very trivial. This is a very simple and super cheap solution which I find has greatly increased the versatility of my humble EC and has resulted in me using it much more.