What is the LEAST EXPENSIVE 6x6 slide projector?

saman13 · Aug 31, 2017

I know there are the Rolleis and the Hasselblads that are probably really great, but I don't have that kind of money. Looking at a freshly printed silver print is my favorite way to enjoy my b&w work and I want to find a way to really enjoy slides, completely analog. Looking at scans of slides on a computer or inkjet prints of slides doesn't really seem to be the best way to enjoy them.

Full disclosure, I'm young and I've never seen slides be projected. Maybe that's why it is so appealing to me, because I haven't had the experience tainted by being forced to watch slides from relative's vacations for hours...

35mm slide projectors are very easy to come by, in fact I know there is one at my grandparents' house, but affordable medium format projectors seem to be more scarce. What is the least expensive way to find these projectors? I don't care if it is completely manual and you load the slide in one at a time. As long as I can still get a bulb for it I will be happy. I'd want to spend under $100 (preferably less!). Are there any brands/ models I should look out for?

When looking online, it can be hard to tell if the projector will take 6x6 slides and the description is often just "slide projector. turns on." Is there anything to look out for that would make it easier to identify a medium format projector (i.e. some brands have never made slide projectors)

Thanks for the help!

FujiLove · Aug 31, 2017

I bought my Rollei P66 6x6 projector off eBay for about £75, including the lens, remote and about 200 glass slide mounts. Medium format slides are an absolute joy.

saman13 · Aug 31, 2017

FujiLove said:
I bought my Rollei P66 6x6 projector off eBay for about £75, including the lens, remote and about 200 glass slide mounts. Medium format slides are an absolute joy.

I see one there now but without a lens. How would I find a lens for this model? I'd imagine that the lenses for the 35mm Rollei projectors would not fit the 6x6 projectors. How would I know which lenses fit? Sorry, I know almost nothing about projectors.

David Brown · Aug 31, 2017

saman13 said:
I don't care if it is completely manual and you load the slide in one at a time. As long as I can still get a bulb for it I will be happy. I'd want to spend under $100 (preferably less!).

Wish I could help. Timing is everything. Within the last year, I had two of exactly what you describe. Both had come from churches or schools, and I had paid $25 for each years ago. But I could not sell them locally - Dallas/Fort Worth - (I tried) and ended up giving them to the Salvation Army store. You might go by the Salvation Army store on Harry Hines and see if one or both is still there.

saman13 said:
When looking online, it can be hard to tell if the projector will take 6x6 slides and the description is often just "slide projector. turns on." Is there anything to look out for that would make it easier to identify a medium format projector (i.e. some brands have never made slide projectors)

If it doesn't say medium format, it's not.

saman13 · Aug 31, 2017

David Brown said:
Wish I could help. Timing is everything. Within the last year, I had two of exactly what you describe. Both had come from churches or schools, and I had paid $25 for each years ago. But I could not sell them locally - Dallas/Fort Worth - (I tried) and ended up giving them to the Salvation Army store. You might go by the Salvation Army store on Harry Hines and see if one or both is still there.

Well, that makes me sad. Wish I had started shooting slides earlier...

I may as well give them a call!

saman13 · Aug 31, 2017

The man who answered said he hadn't seen them, so probably long gone. But, maybe I should call around to salvation armys/ goodwills in the area to see if I can find anything.

MattKing · Aug 31, 2017

The Kindermann medium format projectors are simple and of good quality.
I've an extra one, but it would cost a fortune to ship, because they aren't small, and they are heavy!
My Rollei medium format projector is a bit more refined, but probably not substantially better.

mshchem · Sep 1, 2017

I had a Kindermann gifted to me. It's very simple, lamps are cheap and easy to find. Great optical system, nice heat absorbing glass. Trays are available. Mine is a manual pull out push in with a manual magazine advance wheel. Never jams because the only motor is the fan.
Nothing better than 6x6 slides, and mounts are easy to find for 6x6 and 645.

John Wiegerink · Sep 1, 2017

Ansco made a dual slide projector also and it's a push/pull style. I have one and it works just fine. I also have a Rollei P11 with two lenses. Is the Rollei better? Yes, but the Ansco is very good for the price. I've seen them go on eBay for cheap. A while back there were three on the auction at the same time. Mine will end up there in the near future since I have the Rollei. I think I might list both and keep which ever one that doesn't sell first. That should tell you that the Ansco ain't all that bad.

John Wiegerink · Sep 1, 2017

I just checked the eBay auction and there are 5 Ansco Dualet projectors list right now. The cheapest is $24.95 "buy it now" with free shipping. Now, that's damn cheap!

FujiLove · Sep 1, 2017

saman13 said:
I see one there now but without a lens. How would I find a lens for this model? I'd imagine that the lenses for the 35mm Rollei projectors would not fit the 6x6 projectors. How would I know which lenses fit? Sorry, I know almost nothing about projectors.

I wouldn't bother buying one without a lens. Just keep an eye on eBay. They pop up all the time.

And no, the 35mm lenses won't fit the 6x6 projectors. The one on mine is a big old beast

saman13 · Sep 1, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
I just checked the eBay auction and there are 5 Ansco Dualet projectors list right now. The cheapest is $24.95 "buy it now" with free shipping. Now, that's damn cheap!

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! And it's in Austin. I think I'll be buying it. Thank you for the recommendation!

saman13 · Sep 1, 2017

One person' testimonial and the cheap price were enough for me. It's on it's way. Looking forward to trying it out!

John Wiegerink · Sep 1, 2017

saman13 said:
One person' testimonial and the cheap price were enough for me. It's on it's way. Looking forward to trying it out!

Hey, don't tar and feather me if it isn't the perfect slide projector, but remember I said it was cheap and that's what you wee After. Right?

Hatchetman · Sep 1, 2017

let us know how it works. I have a Land/Polaroid that looks good to me. Polaroid slides were a bit thicker so you have to jury rig something.

saman13 · Sep 1, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Hey, don't tar and feather me if it isn't the perfect slide projector, but remember I said it was cheap and that's what you wee After. Right?

As long as there is an image on the screen, I'll feel like I got my $25 worth. If it's a GOOD image, then I'll be even happier. Any advice on this projector? Does it heat the slides up significantly? Does it work fine with glassless slides? Just want to know what to expect.

saman13 · Sep 1, 2017

Hatchetman said:
let us know how it works. I have a Land/Polaroid that looks good to me. Polaroid slides were a bit thicker so you have to jury rig something.

Will do. It should be arriving early next week.

John Wiegerink · Sep 1, 2017

saman13 said:
As long as there is an image on the screen, I'll feel like I got my $25 worth. If it's a GOOD image, then I'll be even happier. Any advice on this projector? Does it heat the slides up significantly? Does it work fine with glassless slides? Just want to know what to expect.

I have only used it with glassless slides. It will warm your slides if you leave them in the light path for any length of time just as most slide projectors will. The only thing I don't care for about the Ansco is that mine has no on / off switch, which means you have to pull the cord to shut it off. I guess that's the price you pay for the low price you pay. Little play on words there!

AgX · Sep 2, 2017

saman13 said:
As long as I can still get a bulb for it I will be happy.

For the great majority of projectors of any kind you will not be able to get an appropriate bulb, be it a plain incandescant or halogen bulb.
You then either would have to modify your system or live with shortcomings.

guangong · Sep 2, 2017

For me the best choices have been the simplest. I have a Leitz Prado 66 for 6x6 slides and a Hasselblad manual (actually a rebadged Prado) for my 6x7 slides. Bulbs are easily available from internet bulb specialty stores. No electronics or complicated mechanics to die in the middle of a viewing session. Only a slide carrier you alternate from side to side. Even if you are a teenager either of these projectors will outlast you.

AgX · Sep 2, 2017

The spread of models varies internationally, thuse there likely is no "cheapest" one. Over here locally MF projectors are super rare. Over years I only came across 4 samples Nonetheless I got one for less than 5€.

Dan0001 · Sep 2, 2017

A Realist 620, a simple push pull will be cheap and works well. Need to be fairly close to screen. It will do 35mm as well with a different push pull adapter. Slightly more advanced is the Bausch & Lomb Balomatic 755. It does not have a stellar reputation but mine works well enough. Both projectors were USA made. If you find one make sure you get the slide trays as they are really hard to find. Projection bulbs, too, may be hard to find.

John Wiegerink · Sep 2, 2017

guangong said:
For me the best choices have been the simplest. I have a Leitz Prado 66 for 6x6 slides and a Hasselblad manual (actually a rebadged Prado) for my 6x7 slides. Bulbs are easily available from internet bulb specialty stores. No electronics or complicated mechanics to die in the middle of a viewing session. Only a slide carrier you alternate from side to side. Even if you are a teenager either of these projectors will outlast you.

This is pretty much the same as the Ansco. Very simple and very Spartan.

John Wiegerink · Sep 2, 2017

Also, the Realist 620 mentioned above is pretty much the exact same as the Ansco Dualet. Just a name change.

saman13 · Sep 2, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Also, the Realist 620 mentioned above is pretty much the exact same as the Ansco Dualet. Just a name change.

I was going to ask about that. When I looked it up it looks exactly the same. Some of these are going for even less money AND they come in that classic seafoam green. Well, if my dualet doesn't work for whatever reason I think I know what I'll try next.

Dan0001 said:
A Realist 620, a simple push pull will be cheap and works well. Need to be fairly close to screen. It will do 35mm as well with a different push pull adapter.

If it is true for the Realist I wonder if it is also true for the Ansco. Do I need a separate adapter to use 35mm slides with the Ansco? (Asking anyone who might know)

What is the LEAST EXPENSIVE 6x6 slide projector?

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