ADVICE ON SLIDE PROJECTORS

jmal · Dec 4, 2006

Howdy,

I'm looking for a slide projector and would like some advice. I will use the projector to view slides in my house only, so I don't need any frills. Manual focus is fine, as is manual advance. What makes and models should I look for and how much should I expect to pay? It seems that many Kodak projectors are going for $100 on ebay, give or take a few bucks. Thanks

Jmal

Roger Hicks · Dec 4, 2006

jmal said:
Howdy,

I'm looking for a slide projector and would like some advice. I will use the projector to view slides in my house only, so I don't need any frills. Manual focus is fine, as is manual advance. What makes and models should I look for and how much should I expect to pay? It seems that many Kodak projectors are going for $100 on ebay, give or take a few bucks. Thanks

Jmal

Buy one of the older professional metal-chassis Kodak Carousels. They're all but bomb-proof. I've been using one (bought for at a camera fair for $80) for years.

Cheers,

R.

jmal · Dec 4, 2006

Which models have a metal chassis? I'm completely unfamiliar with projectors, so they all look the same online with the exception of the really old ones that look a little like miniature canons. Is this the style you're referring to?

Jmal

David Brown · Dec 4, 2006

Mr. Hicks was probably referring to the "Ektagraphics". They were the pro models and built a bit better. Be patient. Sometimes they go for a lot, other times a bargain comes by. Make sure that they have everything - working bulb, all the cords, A LENS, etc.

Mike Kennedy · Dec 4, 2006

One thing you must keep in mind is the cost of a replacement bulb. I picked up an old Kodak Carousel for $8.00 at a yard sale.
Not too shabby right? Replacement bulb was $42.00.
I sent it for a "deep six vacation".

Mike

Derek Lofgreen · Dec 4, 2006

Check your local thrift stores. I come accross one just about everytime I'm in there. Usually for about 5 bucks.

D.

BruceN · Dec 4, 2006

Email atkelly@snet.net and ask him about his projector buying guides. Best money I spent when I was shopping for projectors. That address is a couple of years old, though, so I hope it's still good.

Bruce

Jim Jones · Dec 4, 2006

Derek is right. I've paid up to $14 USD for a complete carousel outfit, and as low as $1 USD for a Carousel with a good bulb in second-hand stores or live auctions. There are other types of projectors that are useful, but the Kodak Carousels and Ektagraphics have the advantage of being plentiful and use the ubiquitous Carousel trays.

Roger Hicks · Dec 4, 2006

Derek Lofgreen said:
Check your local thrift stores. I come accross one just about everytime I'm in there. Usually for about 5 bucks.

D.

I'll second that. Then you can SEE if it's metal-chassis or not. I hadn't thought of that in the context of e-bay. Sorry!

Bulbs can be a LOT cheaper from specialist bulb suppliers -- half price or less.

Cheers,

R.

jmal · Dec 4, 2006

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stop by a few thrift stores. I hadn't thought of that option, but it's certainly worth a shot. It seems, based on your comments, that the Ektagraphic projectors are the "pro" models, which helps in selecting one online if I need to go that route. Once again, thanks for the help.

Jmal

DBP · Dec 4, 2006

I've gotten great deals on bulbs on e-bay. Unfortunately I had paid full price for some bulbs first.

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Dec 4, 2006

Got you some great info from Kodak on their slide projector models:

Dead Link Removed for the sourcebook, which also contains a history of models and Dead Link Removed for the documentation on their last models.

Craig · Dec 4, 2006

I've had a couple of Kodaks, including an Ektagraphic that I inherited from my grandfather. They work pretty well, but the lenses are coke bottle bottoms.

I picked up a Leica Prodovit at an auction years ago for a similar price as a Kodak, and the quality difference is amazing. It's all metal, and the lens quality is outstanding. Given how cheap projectors have become these days, I'd go for the Leica over a Kodak anyday, mainly because of the difference in the lens quality.

jmal · Dec 4, 2006

MHV,

Thanks for the links.

Craig,

Is that similar to the Prado 500 that looks like it holds a single slide at a time? I've seen a few of them on ebay for $75 or so with a couple lenses. I would certainly look into one if the quality of the projected image is significantly better. Are there any problems specific to these old machines that I should look out for? Thanks.

Jmal

Lee L · Dec 4, 2006

The Pradolux RT-300 may be a bit of a rare bird used by now, but I've always liked mine. It takes 80 slide Kodak Carousel trays (not the larger capacity ones), has a mirror that kicks the light around a corner through the slide, but passes IR and UV so that those wavelengths don't hit the slide. The stock lens is a 90mm f:2.5 Colorplan CF, curved field for slides that aren't in glass mounts, and does a far better job than most of staying sharp across the frame. It's a Singer commercial grade chassis made in Germany for Leitz.

BTW, you might want to familiarize yourself with which lenses were made for projecting glass mounted slides and which for cardboard mounted slides, which "pop" when the warm up. You'll get much better results with a lens designed for the kind of slides you have. Sorry that I can't offer specific advice there.

As in cameras, buy the chassis for the ruggedness and convenience factors you like, but a good lens makes the image. Some lenses are made of high grade plastic, and a fixed focal length is likely to outperform a zoom. Glass lenses are typically better. If you run across a projector with a Buhl (or other high grade replacement) lens at a low price from a place selling off AV equipment, just hand over the cash and walk away quickly.

Lee

Craig · Dec 4, 2006

jmal said:
Craig,

Is that similar to the Prado 500 that looks like it holds a single slide at a time?

No, it takes straight trays, up to 80 slides in a tray, although 50's are more common. Mine is like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leitz-Ernst-Wet...or-F-Nice_W0QQitemZ110061249180QQcmdZViewItem

Konical · Dec 4, 2006

Good Evening,

Like others, I've been able to get an E-Bay bargain on Carousels. A couple of years ago, I bought two for a very low price. I can't remember the exact figure, but shipping was more than the final bid price. The bonus: both machines arrived in working condition!

Konical

Chaska · Dec 4, 2006

Depending on where you work I would snoop around the marketing and training departments for cast-offs. Everything is now Power Point with InFocus machines, so the slide projectors are boxed and put away. I got 2 practically new Kodak 4600's (actually one has never been used) for free by just asking. Included some trays, extra lenses and bulbs. But what is really fun is to get a Medium Format projector, 6x6 slides are awesome! I picked up a basic Realist 620 for $40, lotsa fun.

But bottom line, go for it and get something. Slides were intended to be projected and it really is a lot of fun.

MattKing · Dec 4, 2006

I'm assuming that you are asking about a projector for 35mm (or 126, or 127) slides, and not one for medium format slides, which are a whole different kettle of fish.

The advice about lenses above is good, but given the real bargains available on Kodak projectors, I would suggest that it wouldn't hurt to buy one of those quickly, to get good results, and then keep your eyes open for something more special, at a bargain price.

I seem to recall, as well, that there were manufacturers who made higher quality replacement lenses for Kodak projectors.

I've had the same Ektagraphic for decades, and it performs very well. I believe they may have put out another line as well, under the Medalist name.

FYI, IIRC it was only last year that Kodak ceased production of the trays. There are a huge number arround of used ones though.

Oh and by the way, there is one type of Kodak projector that does its job very well, and has some very special features, but you probably don't want one. Kodak made this really neat projector for 110 slides. If you used one of the better 110 format cameras, and then projected the slides, the results were surprisingly good. You just don't want to buy one of those projectors and try to fit 35mm slides into it.

Matt

Woolliscroft · Dec 5, 2006

You might not care about the features of the projector itself, but you presumably do want to be able to use really good lenses, so at the least you want something with interchangeable lenses.

David.

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