Projectors Fade Over homemade mechanically

[AgX]

When considering fade-over, one thinks of a pair of projectors with integrated low-voltage thyristor-controlled lamp fading and seperate control.

Those are nothing to be easily found at the next fleamarket, let alone in two samples. The alternative would be a twin-lens projector... And when regarding medium format, things get even worse.

Here a simple DIY solution I found on the net. Well, the principle is plain simple, there is some tinkering to do.
https://galerie-photo.com/diaporama-kunz-jacques.html


I did not even read the text, but found the two photos selfexplanatory.
Otherwise:
There is a table to take two projectors with automated transport of any, even different model, even different formats. At the front is a slider controlling two 2-element diaphragms. These are alternatively opened and closed by a lever, which after closing switches on the remote control of the respective projector for advance by one slide.
The drive of the two sliding sheets with cutouts is either done by a rack&pinion with contrary running racks (must be obtained) or (without exra stuff) by two opposing levers at the axle with pins at their ends running in vertical slits in the sheets.

 

[DWThomas]

That's some impressive design and build! Brought back memories of a weekend camera club seminar back in the mid-1960s where a guy from a photography school in Vermont had two projectors set up -- I'm thinking they were Bell & Howell -- each projector had two lenses and could do fades between two slides. So in the end he could project overlays from the second projector and do all sorts of stuff. Today it would be "a PowerPoint." At the time it was an outstanding presentation setup that I still remember -- perhaps the mechanics of it more than the content!

 

[Dan Fromm]

For Kodak Carousel/Ektagraphic (not all models) projectors:

https://web.archive.org/web/2020090...talogue-8167199-Projector-Supply/174231227140

https://web.archive.org/web/2020090...tagraphic-Slide-Projectors-Works/124260412484

 

[AgX]

Dan, you did not get my point. To use those controls one needs the respective projector, even two of them. And as said one just might buy a twin lens projector. The point here though is to have a DIY alternative to acquire such, but to use projectors that are around the corner for nothing. Or with projector types for which even no fade version exists.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I got your point. Thing is, Carousels/Ektagraphics and clones (Elmo, Leitz, ...) are common and inexpensive. Well, Leica badged Carousels aren't that inexpensive. Two projector dissolve units for them exist and aren't that expensive.

If your goal is to give two projector with dissolve slide shows a pair of Carousels/Ektagraphics with the same lenses and a Kodak dissolve unit is a good alternative to two randomly selected projectors with a homemade dissolve unit. If you already have two randomly selected projectors that may or may not support dissolves and you want to make your own dissolve unit, have fun. The joy of tinkering is not to be underestimated. Neither is the corrupting influence of found money or projectors on the shelf.

 

[AgX]

I got your point. Thing is, Carousels/Ektagraphics and clones (Elmo, Leitz, ...) are common and inexpensive.

Not over here, I so far ever came across 3 Carousels in the wild. No Ektagraphic.
And with the other projectors with internal fading it is not always clear whether they got a standard interface for that feature. And I hardly ever see a MF projector, and never one with internal fading.
And I came across only one twin-lens projector and that was not for sale.

And think for instance at the fellows in Eastern-Europe, I know of no Comecon projector with internal fading.