Re: NSA97, what Kodak Projectors were used there?

[P3D Gregory J. Wageman <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>I've been looking in the local buy and sell and I see MANY different 
>models of Kodak Projectors...
>
>here's a sampling...
>
>Kodak 860H autofocus
>KODAK carousel 5200 proj
>KODAK Ektagraphic carousel slide projector
>KODAK 4600 slide projector w remote ctrl & lens

I have a pair of Carousel 4400's.  These are "consumer" models, like
the 4600 and 5200, so they're relatively inexpensive (under $300 new,
with lamp, tray, remote and lens).  They're fine for my own informal
shows, but I would not use them for major public exhibitions.  Stick to
Ektagraphics, which register the slide consistently in the gate (much
more important in stereo, where slight mis-registration has the effect
of changing the window as well as your audience's vergence, which leads
to eye strain).

I would think that autofocus would also be desirable, but I don't have
first-hand experience with it (the 4400's are manual focus).  I defer
to the experienced projectionists on the list.

>I suppose even the lens on the front of the projector is a factor in 
>the quality of the projections.

It sure is.  One important factor is whether it is a "Flat Field" or
"Curved Field" lens.  The FF lens is designed for slides mounted
in glass; it assumes the slide is planar.  The CF lens is
intended for use with slides mounted in plastic or cardboard,
without glass, and assumes the chip will curve ("pop").  If you
use a CF lens with glass-mounted slides, you will not be able to hold
the entire slide in sharp focus.  I use FF lenses with a mixture of
glassed and non-glassed slides, and only occasionally do I have
problems focusing a severely curved slide.

Then there are the issues of which lamp to use (higher brightness and
color temp., but shorter life), whether to invest in the "high
brightness" lamp modules, etc.  The more you learn, the more you find
out you don't know!

	-Greg W.



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