Buying Slide Projector

[cheuwi]

Hi all,

I am looking for a slide projector and am wondering if any of you have had experiece with this product:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...925_Novamat_330AF_Slide_Projector_Viewer.html

Thanks,
Cheuwi

 

[railwayman3]

My Dad had a similar projector abour 30 years ago...I think it was a Reflecta brand.
It was OK on a wall screen (though not as good as his Leitz Pradovit), but disappointing on the built-in screen...this was a kind of matt plastic which gave a grainy effect to the back-projected slide.

Unless you really need the small built-in screen, I'd look around for a good s/h
projector....even have a look around Ebay, there used to be some real bargains at the time slide shows were going out of fashion.

 

[rszumski]

I haven't tried the projector you mention, but I did go through searching for a slide projector just over a year ago. I ended up, after much research, going for a used Leica Pradovit P300-IR with a Colorplan lens. The contrast, sharpness and brightness of the projected image is outstanding and worlds ahead of the Kodak and Rollei models I did a direct comparison with. Further, I found an eBay seller who is a guru of slide projectors, really knows his stuff in excruciating detail and who will help you find what you need. The seller goes by cb. (that is cb 'period')

 

[Ian C]

My experience with rear projection screen slide viewers is similar to post #2. The image is significantly grainy—actually the pattern of the diffuser—and soft. Quite disappointing.

There used to be small battery powered viewers that consisted of a magnifying lens that allowed you to directly view the back-illuminated slide. These gave a sharp image and only cost $10-$15 in the late 1980s. Some also accepted an inexpensive AC adaptor so that dry cells weren’t needed.
The first two viewers here are similar.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Slide-Viewers-Slide-Sorters/ci/1560/N/4233500243

Regular projectors that project the image onto a reflective viewing screen usually make a satisfying image.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

[Braun Novamat] I had one of these from ebay - junk. Utter junk. Can't think of a nice thing to say about it.

If you want a table top viewer get a Kodak 'Kodaslide' Model A, there is usually one available on ebay.

If you want a projector then I would suggest a Kodak Carousel. The top-line Leitz projectors are very nice, but also very pricey. The low end Leitz projectors don't impress. Stay away from anything that doesn't use Carousel trays, unless you have a very compelling reason otherwise.

 

[tjaded]

Any reason you don't want a Kodak Carousel type projector? They are great quality and can be had for decent prices (much less than that one at B&H...)

 

[Francis in VT]

Leitz RT-300

The unasked question is, what are you going to use it for?
Do you just want a slide viewer with a large screen or a projector. Any Kodak Carousel proj can be used with a table screen even a piece of Foam Core.
The best result would be a Leitz RT-300 because of it's lighting system. All projectors need a way to keep the slide from overheating. Some do it with a heat condenser others use a heat filter. Both of these ways result in a Greenish tinge on the screen. The Leitz used a mirror like the Kodak but NO heat filter. The Leitz mirror was a Dicroic [sp] which absorbed the heat and did not show a Green tint on the screen. Your other advantage is it uses redily available Carousel trays and a Leitz lens. Kodak also made a bulk slide holder which I haven't seen on the Bay but if you decide to go this route PM me.

Francis in VT

 

[cheuwi]

Thanks for all the great comments and idea... I can always count on this forum
I have been taking about 30-40 rolls of Velvia over the last 3 years and have been viewing them on a light table or the computer scan image. I really don't think I am doing it any justice. I get by with my 645 format as they are bigger but for my 35mm, I am relying on my scan image...
I have decided to look for a projector that will allow me to really appreciate the slide and hence the question.
I think I will try to look for a Leitz or Kodak model... Thanks again.

 

[SafetyBob]

1+ on Kodak. Found a very little used one in the plastic case a couple of years ago. Most of them can fit different lenses too. Get everything clean on one of these old units and you shouldn't be disappointed. You hardest decision (or at least mine) was to figure out what surface was best to project on. Again, keep and eye out for a well kept screen......they are out there, you may have to do some asking.

If I ever win the lottery, I promise all MF users I will make a limited run of MF projectors. I sure wish I had a nice one.......

Bob E.

 

[MattKing]

If you are considering the Kodak models (which I recommend) it is important to become aware of the difference between the lenses designed for glass mounted slides and the lenses that take into account the slight curvature of slides mounted in cardboard or simple plastic mounts.

 

[Jim Jones]

The Kodak and Ektagraph projectors are part of an extensive and versatile system. This means trays, accessories, and repair parts are more available than for other brands. They, and projection screens, are also sometimes available at little cost in second-hand stores and elsewhere. Shipping may be more expensive than the item itself when buying online.

 

[BrianL]

Oh, you shoot both 35mm and mf so the projector will need to handle both which the one you asked about does. I have 2 projectors as I also shoot both, a Kodak Carosal and a rare Polaroid. I'd suggest finding a MF projector as you ain't seen nothing until you see a mf transparency projected but it will spoil you to the point that 35mm is not worth shooting.

 

[Francis in VT]

I have 2 projectors as I also shoot both, a Kodak Carosal and a rare Polaroid.

I didn't realize a Polaroid projector was a RARE item.
I have one with two lenses and two slide carriers.
It was made for Polaroid by American Optical Co,

RE: screens as a poster mentioned a DALITE or RADIANT brand matte White is the best, IMHO

Francis in VT

 

[jeffreyg]

I have a 30 + year old Leitz Pradovit Color (don't recall the number) that has hardly been used. It is very sharp and bright. It does not take carousels and I rarely take personal slides now. I also have a couple of combo projector/viewer units for slides I take in my dental practice. If you can find one it might fit your needs. One is a Kodak Ektagraphic model 260AF and the other is a Telex Caramate 4000. They are identical other than the case color and were most likely made by the same company and re-branded. They have worked perfectly for very many years and if you can find one it probably costs very little. Check with some AV companies they may have one gathering dust on a shelf.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[cheuwi]

What about a Kodak Carousel 4200? Are they any good. Found one in my local craigslist but the selling is asking for $250 as he claims that it is in mint condition...
Thanks,
Cheuwi

 

[MattKing]

What about a Kodak Carousel 4200? Are they any good. Found one in my local craigslist but the selling is asking for $250 as he claims that it is in mint condition...
Thanks,
Cheuwi

That is way too high for a Carousel 4200.

As a comparison (at the other end of the country) a Carousel 4600 for $40:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/pho/2605178517.html

 

[MattKing]

Here is a CL listing that includes a free one - no details though:

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/pho/2628655492.html

 

[cheuwi]

Thanks Matt... really appreciate it. I tried to get a reasonable price for these things but they seem to be all over the map on ebay.
I have contacted the toronto CL list that you pointed to but have not heard back.
I will keep looking... thanks again.
Cheuwi

 

[scribblescribble]

I haven't tried the projector you mention, but I did go through searching for a slide projector just over a year ago. I ended up, after much research, going for a used Leica Pradovit P300-IR with a Colorplan lens. The contrast, sharpness and brightness of the projected image is outstanding and worlds ahead of the Kodak and Rollei models I did a direct comparison with.

That will depend on WHICH Rollei you did the comparison against,andwhat lens it was fitted with. The Leica Pradovit P300 (and its bigger p600 brother) is a noisy, clunky, badly-designed piece of prehistoric junk compared to the final generation of Rollei projectors - the twin lens dissolve models like the MSC 300. Look inside a P600, and you realise it basically hasn't changed since the late 1960s - it is just a 1950s-style manual projector with a lot of levers and rubber bands and flywheels added to turn in into an automatic one.

 

[Discoman]

I'll throw in my 2 cents for a kodak as well. The carousel projectors are quite common, so you could find one (working too) at a garage sale, craigslist, or a thrift store/consignment shop.
A guy down the street from me has one he was looking to essentially give away, with a few trays and all. Some appear in my local classefieds, but never sell (as people forget they have lost all value.)
I personally use a Keystone 770, have enjoyed it enough to want to replace it. It uses carousel type trays, but SIDEWAYS, and the automatic advance is push the button top remove the slide and advance the tray, then manually push the slide lever back in to load the next slide.
If you want the best of the best of the best, then an absolute top of the line Rollei, Leica or Hasselblad projector will be what you want.
If you shoot medium format and want a projector that can handle that, then all I know of is Mamiya apparently makes a slide projector, and there is Götschmann as well.
But, seriously, Carousel is very good for what they usually cost.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Discoman, not to quarrel or anything but y'r Keystone uses a round tray that won't fit a Carousel or clone projector.

Back when I traveled to give slide shows I used to tell my hosts that "My slides are in genuine Kodak Carousel trays and that they'd have to rent a genuine Kodak Carousel or Ektagraphic projector. Nothing else will do, and Carousel tray does not mean any old round tray." More often than not when I turned up they'd have a projector like yours -- vertical round tray -- that was completely incompatible with the tray my slides were in. People just don't believe what they're told.

Elmo made Carousel clones, I still have one and more projector lenses than makes sense.