Projecting Medium Format

I have been projecting 35mm for years and am interested in doing the

same as I move into MF. I'll be taking travel pictures for the most

part.

 

From previous discussions, it looks like a good choice is 6x6 for

projection which would lend itself to a Mamiya 6 type camera for

travel. However, the 6x7 Mamiya 7II is now the only Mamiya model

offered new.

 

I'm interested if members of the forum have experience in projecting

MF.

 

Thanks,

 

Don

MF slides projected are an awesome experience at first. With 100 ASA film and 1x1 m white board, no grain is evident. Gradation is simply stunning as is the level of detail. I use Hasselblad equipment (500 C/M + PCP 80 projector), which suit well together. There are 6x7 projectors as well, see eg http://www.goetschmann.de/ for high-end MF projection. Rollei also makes 6x6 projectors. There also exist models for projection of both 35mm and 6x6 with the same projector, eg Rollei's P11, an old design.

...jaakko

I would like to add: The G�tschmann 6x7 is very, very expensive. The Hasselblad projector

is (being) fased out. The Rollei Dual P is a currant slide projector for both 35mm and 6x6.

Another currant model is the Kindermann diafocus 66 T. Find particulars at <a href="http:

//www.rollei.de">www.rollei.de</a> and <a href="http://www.kindermann.de">www.

kindermann.de</a>.

To the best of my knowledge the Hasselblad projector is discontinued though occasionally available used. There are cheaper manual 67 projectors by the likes of Cabin where you push/pull a carrier into the gate. The image quality from these seems good to me when projected up to about five feet across, and you can use them for pretty much any format I think. Inevitably there's a problem and this is that you can only load a couple of slides at a time.

Rollei P11 and P66 are available used at low price (400 - 500 euros), P11 offer the capability to project both 6X6 and 35mm; is not autofocus (useless in my opinion). P66 is newer and autofocus but only MF capability. They both accept standard slide trays. I have bought a used P11 and I'm very satisfied with it, I projected untill 3m X 3m with excellent result even if at this ratios I would desire a more powerfull lamp (available).

I have heard great things about the discontinued Hasselblad PCP 80; It accept round trays for 90 slides, usefull if you want to do continous slide show without changing trays. It is awailable used but is very expensive. If you try MF slide projection you will never go back.

This page has a good rundown on medium format slide projectors:

 

http://medfmt.8k.com/bronslideproj.html

 

If you're on a budget then I suggest one of the old 1950/1960's era projectors.

 

I only shoot 6x6 so I picked up two old Brumberger slide projectors off of ebay. The first cost $10 and the second was $1. The shipping was $15...

 

The mounts for 645 and 6x6 have the same outer dimension so they work fine in 6x6 projectors. 6x7 won't fit of course.

Someone of you knows if is possible to do dissolve projection with two Rollei P11?

Another option is a Leitz Prado Universal projector. These appear occasionally on the Bay. They were sold as both 6x6 units and as 35 mm projectors, so be sure you get the correct one for youir needs. The 6x6 one has different condensors, front stage, and, of course, lens. Once upon a time, you could buy a kit to change the Prado from 35 mm to 6x6 or the other way around, but now it would be almost impossible to assemble the bits and pieces one at a time. The Prado works on both 120 v or 240 volt, 50 or 60 Hz. Most of the 6x6 units are equipped with a 150 mm lens (coated, superb quality). One big problem with the 6x6 Prado is that each focal length lens requires its own unique conical lens-holding tube. Invariably, you see used lenses for sale without their mounting tube, and they are useless that way. You'd never be able to find the tubes. The older Prado projectors (pre-Universal) are also excellent machines.

Regarding old projectors I can provide some first hand experience. When I started with 6x7, a friend was so kind to lend me an old Linhof 6x7 slide projector (Leica Prado type, most likely produced by Leica). Certainly one of the better oldtimers, they still sell for high prices. Later I replaced this projector with a Goetschmann G67. There really is no comparison. A 35mm slide projected with a good recent projector is more convincing than a 6x7cm slide projected with an old projector like the Prado type Linhof. If you invest in high quality MF equipment, make sure you get an appropriate modern projector. Otherwise it makes no sense to consider medium format slide shows.

AFAIK, you can't dissolve with the P11. The P66S is the oldest Rollei model that allows dissolve projection.

I use a kinderman projector that I bought for about $300.00 used. Having the ability to project MF images is one reason I haven't gone to digital.

Also there is a difference between the P11 projector and the new Rollei 6x6 projectors: The P11 projector takes the 6x6 slide tray on the LEFT, (because it takes the 35mm slides tray on the right) and the new projector takes 6x6 slide tray on the RIGHT. If you have slides mounted for the P11 and want to project them with a new projector, you will have to reverse them all for viewing them on the new projector. If they are between glasses, (as usually is the case) you will have to dismount and remount them all one by one as glasses on the lens side are clear and glasses on the light side are slightly translucide for better light distribution. The plastic border also is one side dark to minimise lens glaw and one side white to reflect and gain light. (that's for GEPE mounting).

I bought a new Kindermann projector in 1998 for $1,100. At the time, this was 1/2 the cost of a new Rollei projector and 1/3 that for a new Hasselblad projector ( which is longer made). The Kindermann does a beautiful projection and is solidly built - but a little noisy during slide changing. Also, it doesn't have some of the features of a Rollei or Hasselblad. For example, there is no automatic bulb change when the projector bulb burns out. The bulb, of course, gets very hot and a manual change would be difficult during a presentation. There's also the matter of slide mounts. Some would disagree, but I believe using glass mounts is the way to go for the best results (the anti-newton type). There are other types of mounts without the glass (plastic or perhaps cardboard?) and others would have to comment on that route. While I like glass mounts (in my case, "Gepe"), It can can be very time consuming to go this way. I am probably overly fussy, but I do a through job of cleaning the glass to make sure all dust, specks, etc are not visible during projection.

Kiev makes a couple different MF projectors. Mike Fourman of kievcamera.com can get one for you. Should be under $200, unless prices have gone up lately. Just email him, since his website doesn't list them.

<<If they are between glasses, (as usually is the case) you will have to dismount and remount them all one by one as glasses on the lens side are clear and glasses on the light side are slightly translucide for better light distribution.>>

 

If you switch from a P11 to a newer Rollei MF Projector You don't need to dismount and remount each slide, is sufficient to changhe (reverse) its positione on the tray.

 

Rorrei P11 and P66 accepts the newer lenses for the actual Rollei MF projector so if you buy an old Rollei and you want the same projection quality of a new one you can always buy a new lens (Rollei and Schneider) for it.

"If you switch from a P11 to a newer Rollei MF Projector You don't need to dismount and remount each slide, is sufficient to changhe (reverse) its positione on the tray."

 

The glass on one side (light source side) is slightly pearled. If reversed, there will be a loss of sharpness. Plastic mount (one side dark, other side white) will be reversed also.

Don:

I have a Rolleiflex GX and started projecting 6x6 on 2x2m with a Rollei P11 with a Heidosmat 110-160mm lens. The results are great! The Rollei P11 uses a special bulb 230 Volts / 300 Watts with G17q socket. If you buy one of these projectors it would be wise to check if you can get some of these bulbs to buy ahead. They usually should last 90 or more hours. I could manage to get 6 new ones (the last!?)from Sylvania.

The lens mentioned above is great and so is the projector, which is built like a tank, a bit noisy, but good quality. The thermal protection of the slides is nearly perfect, very much better than in my current Leica 35mm device.

There was also an second, optional thermal protection screen that must be used if you insert 500W bulbs into the projector. But these screen and probably also the 500W bulbs are not easy to find.

 

I bought this projector as a low investment entry to MF projection, but in the meantime I'm very happy with this monster.

If you are technical skilled or know a good repair person, it shouldn't be too difficult to modify the projector for new type halogen bulbs.

 

Maurice

There are also 500W bulbs available for the P11. I don't remember well but it seems that you have to add one more heat filter for.

My PII works great and takes the readily-available GE DAK 500-Watt tungsten lamp or equivalent. My Leitz Prado Universal takes a Phillips (Holland) 7748 6L, 24V 250W halogen lamp, not so readily-available but long of life. The old Rollei has the straight trays and can also project 35mm slides. I only use these two for 645 and 6x6 slides. The bigger stuff I pass through my Beseler Slide King II with its 1,000-watt halogen lamp and huge 100mm square gate. For Super Slides (40x40), I use a Kodak Ektagraphic III AMT with Extra Bright Lamp Module and Schneider Vario-Prolux MC 70-120mm f/2.8. With nearly twice the area of a 35mm slide, it's the closest thing to medium format projection you'll find - at a tiny fraction of the cost of digital projectors and without the blown-out highlights and $400 lamps! Enjoy!