Which slide projector?

[Brett St Pierre]

Here is a funny one for what is essentially a digital forum.

For many years I shot on slide film (prefer Fujichrome Velvia and still will once I am satisfied I have my head well enough around digital) and used a Braun Novamat 515 slide projector with fixed focal length lens. While I love my projected slides I was never sure if the projector was doing full justice to the slides. Not sure if the lens is really good enough... I always though about buying a Leitz or Kodak Carousel but didn't because there was no practical way of knowing if they would give better projected images.

Any thoughts and recommendations from the knowledgeable amoung you

TIA.

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

 

[Ishpuini]

I used to have a Reflecta, but it was constantly blocking and never got the AF right. Now I have a Leica Pradovit P 150 I'm really pleased about. It relatively cheap (the cheapest Leica) and compact and good quality.

http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/projektion/pradovit150/index_e.html

Although I mostly use a mate's Sony beamer to project these days. That way I can include other scans and computer drawn maps and add nice looking titles... Since I have my best slides scanned and ready on my laptop, it's much quicker to show any series either projected or or my laptop screen... Transitions are also smoother. Of course the qualtity is not quite the same...

I still take the slide projector out from time to time for nostalgia's sake, but since I got my slide scanner, I no longer frame my slides... so I end up looking at old slides again... nostalgia nostalgia... I should make the time to frame the recent ones, but you know how it is...

Once I get the *istDS I don't think I will abandon slides altogether... I still like the feel of film in my hands (whether loading the camera, framing or scanning)... Setting up a picture, and weeks later having that feeling of having made the correct choice has sth too... I still fear becoming a slave of my camera again after switching to full digital... taking every shot a zillion times to get it exactly right...

Sorry, got carried away there...

Wim

 

[richardday]

Here is a funny one for what is essentially a digital forum.

For many years I shot on slide film (prefer Fujichrome Velvia and
still will once I am satisfied I have my head well enough around
digital) and used a Braun Novamat 515 slide projector with fixed
focal length lens. While I love my projected slides I was never
sure if the projector was doing full justice to the slides. Not
sure if the lens is really good enough... I always though about
buying a Leitz or Kodak Carousel but didn't because there was no
practical way of knowing if they would give better projected images.

Any thoughts and recommendations from the knowledgeable amoung you

TIA.

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

Hi Brett

I use a Leica P150 IR (remote) - It works fine and has a good lens. More importantly, use a good screen, it makes a huge difference. The P300 IR is much better, brighter, dissolve and a better lens (Colorplan f2.5). Double the money!

I doubt if they make them themselves, especially the P150 as it is really quite cheap, goes against their ethos! But, I may be wrong.

Regards
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

 

[richardday]

I think the Braun Novamat P130 and the Leitz P150 are essentially the same projector (just badge engineered) as they look very similar.

I know that the Paximat range and the Ultralit lenses are also very good, matches the Leica Colorplan. (again probably the same mfg).

Rgds
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

 

[Brett St Pierre]

I used to have a Reflecta, but it was constantly blocking and never
got the AF right. Now I have a Leica Pradovit P 150 I'm really
pleased about. It relatively cheap (the cheapest Leica) and compact
and good quality.

http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/projektion/pradovit150/index_e.html

Although I mostly use a mate's Sony beamer to project these days.
That way I can include other scans and computer drawn maps and add
nice looking titles... Since I have my best slides scanned and
ready on my laptop, it's much quicker to show any series either
projected or or my laptop screen... Transitions are also smoother.
Of course the qualtity is not quite the same...

I still take the slide projector out from time to time for
nostalgia's sake, but since I got my slide scanner, I no longer
frame my slides... so I end up looking at old slides again...
nostalgia nostalgia... I should make the time to frame the recent
ones, but you know how it is...

Once I get the *istDS I don't think I will abandon slides
altogether... I still like the feel of film in my hands (whether
loading the camera, framing or scanning)... Setting up a picture,
and weeks later having that feeling of having made the correct
choice has sth too... I still fear becoming a slave of my camera
again after switching to full digital... taking every shot a
zillion times to get it exactly right...

Sorry, got carried away there...

Wim

No, not getting carried away Wim, the tactile pleasures of handling the traditional material will always remain with me. I love getting my slides out and throwing them on the lightbox (I have one of those small A4 size ones) but the projection would be more convenient on a digital projector, I just am not thrilled by the quality drop. I am not unhappy with my Braum Novamat projewctor, it's just that I think better optics in the projection lens would show off the slides to better advantage.
--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

 

[Brett St Pierre]

I think the Braun Novamat P130 and the Leitz P150 are essentially
the same projector (just badge engineered) as they look very
similar.

I know that the Paximat range and the Ultralit lenses are also very
good, matches the Leica Colorplan. (again probably the same mfg).

Rgds
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

Thanks Richard, The Leica one sees in the photo window most often is the 150 I think. Looking at the lens seemed to me it didn't seem any better quality than the Braun I have. I must admist that I hadn't looked into the rest of their range as you never seem them about much anymore. Thanks for the info, I'll do some research into maybe the 300 and up. I know the larger Kodak models were more aimed at larger venue & multi media. The quality of optics is more what I am looking at. I figure why bother with great lenses and then print with a poor enlarger.... why project with a poor projection lens?!

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

 

[richardday]

I think the Braun Novamat P130 and the Leitz P150 are essentially
the same projector (just badge engineered) as they look very
similar.

I know that the Paximat range and the Ultralit lenses are also very
good, matches the Leica Colorplan. (again probably the same mfg).

Rgds
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

Thanks Richard, The Leica one sees in the photo window most often
is the 150 I think. Looking at the lens seemed to me it didn't seem
any better quality than the Braun I have. I must admist that I
hadn't looked into the rest of their range as you never seem them
about much anymore. Thanks for the info, I'll do some research into
maybe the 300 and up. I know the larger Kodak models were more
aimed at larger venue & multi media. The quality of optics is more
what I am looking at. I figure why bother with great lenses and
then print with a poor enlarger.... why project with a poor
projection lens?!

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

Hi Brett

For more info on lenses and the projectors, visit the Speed Graphic website

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/html/prodframe.html

They have details of the different lenses available for the Braun and Leitz projectors.

Rgds
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK