Slide Projector

[plgplg]

What are my best options for a slide projector today? (2013) I see lots of Pradovit 150 on the auction site but I also see discussion threads about how it's plasticky and substandard. The idea is to use it in my own home to view slides, slideshow parties, etc. How retro.

thx

 

[Kanamit]

I don't have have a Pradovit 150 (I have a color 250, which is a tank) but I think as long you aren't being rough on it it probably will be fine. Any working leica 35mm projector with a colorplan (or better, super colorplan) will give you a great picture.

 

[twhittle]

The old solid Kodak carousel ones are the best I have found!

 

[Gareth Rees]

Like twhittle...
The old solid Kodak carousel ones are the best I have found!

I still use mine.

 

[RandyB]

The Kodak Carousel projectors are dirt cheap nowadays, I couldn't sell them for $5 at our last yard sale. I wound up giving 3 of them to Goodwill along with 10 trays. Leitz are premo, but very difficult to get repaired.

 

[mike rosenlof]

Carousel. At least if you're in the US.

 

[mdarnton]

Carousels are immortal, and Ektagraphics, the school and commercial version, are immortal AND indestructible. There were some excellent after-market lenses made for them, and trays are very easy to find.

 

[HHPhoto]

What are my best options for a slide projector today? (2013) I see lots of Pradovit 150 on the auction site but I also see discussion threads about how it's plasticky and substandard. The idea is to use it in my own home to view slides, slideshow parties, etc. How retro.

thx

From my experience of almost 30 years in slide projection, I recommend:

1. If you want a classic straight tray projector, go for the latest Leica models, the Leica Pradovit IR and PC.
Excellent quality, with a new condensor system with 20% more brightness.
You can still buy them new at extremely low prices (249€ instead of 700€ !!! ):
http://www.atelier-rieter.de/ang1.htm

The best projection lens for these both projector types is the Leica-Super-Colorplan P2 2,5/90 lens. It delivers outstanding quality.
One of the best projection lenses ever made ( I use one, and have compared it to lots of other lenses).

2. If you want a carousel type projector, the best quality you get with the latest Leica RT-m and RT-s models. They also have the new condensor system with 20% more brightness.

The projection lens: The Leica-Super-Colorplan 2,5/90 lens (not the P2 version, because it has a different mount).

Second best option for a carousel type:
Kodak Ektapro series, with the models 320, 4020, 5020, 7020, 9020.
Recommended lens:
Kodak Ektapro FF 2,5/93 (but it is not as good als the Leica Super-Colorplan).

3. Also very good for a classic tray projector:
The high end models from Braun and Reflecta, like
- the Braun Multimag SC 663, 668, 669
http://www.braun-phototechnik.de/en/products/list/~pcat.106/Diatechnik.html

Recommeded lens: Ultralit PL 2,4/90 MC
and
Ultralit P 2,8/85 B-MC (a lens with aperture).

Reflecta:
2500 series: https://reflecta.de/en/products/list/~pcat.5/Diatechnik.html
Lenses: See above, the Braun lenses do fit.

Recommended Screen:
Da-Lite Picture King with High-Power surface.
Most brillant surface, excellent colour reproduction (completely neutral), very robustly built.

Recommemded slide frames:
The new and innovative Diaspeed HT-XYZ slide mounts.
They have all the advantages of glassless mounts, but nveretheless delievr excellent sharpness across the whole picture due the new, genious inlet system:
www.diaspeed.de (they do ship internationally, just send them an Email).
Independant test report of the new Diaspeed HT-XYZ:
http://www.aphog.de/?p=810

Cheers, Jan

P.S.: Slide projection is wonderful.
See and have fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suRDUFpsHus 🙂

 

[DNG]

I have a Leitz Pradolux RT 300 AF, with the Leica Color Supper Colorplan CF 90mm f/2.5
it takes Kodak Carrousel 140,
Built like a tank....

Although my AF needs a fix now... The 3m remote is almost as convenient.
They are close to $150, you may find them less than that also

 

[Peter de Waal]

I have a slight Leitz slide projector collecting issue, owning a P150; 2x Color 150's, 2x C2500's, 2x Pradovit-n's, a Pradix and a Prado-S. Have a look at the excellent 'pradoseum' online Leitz projector museum (http://www.pradoseum.eu/englisch-version/schauraum-en.html).

Down under we seem to favor straight-tray projectors, so I started out with my father's 1960's Braun Paximat, but graduated to Leitz machines with the Leica P150. It is an excellent machine and not prone to jamming. It has a handy "light table" built in under a sliding cover on the top which will be helpful as you get used to putting slides in the right way round, or should you wish to mount your own film in plastic frames. I can recommend getting the Leica 90mm Colorplan lens to replace the standard 85mm Hektor which has quite a bit of barrel distortion, resulting in frequent re-focussing to see the edges of the frame.

The 1968 Color 150 (250) is a lovely machine and just about bullet proof. The mid 1970's C2500 (also CA2500) is the same, but more so being a commercial model.

The 1960 Pradovit-n (12v bulbs) is the quietest machine going with a lovely mechanism, assembled by the same technicians who made the Leica M3. If you can find one of these it will need to be serviced by somebody competent as it is an exacting piece of mid-century opto-electro-mechanical technology. The mid 1960's Pradovit n-24 (24v bulbs) can be upgraded to a halogen bulb with a kit that's still available from Leica.

If you just want to get started viewing slides, buy a Color 150 with the 90mm Colorplan. You can get them for $20 these days.

If you want a tough machine to last forever, get a C2500 or CA2500.

And the Color 150 or Color 250 is a good bet, but noisier than a P150.

Just about any Leica projector will give excellent service, so long as it hasn't been thrashed to death at a university for 30 years...

Happy viewing!