kjchapman@wateng.UUCP (Kevin J. Chapman) (07/05/85)
A dealer in town is trying to sell me a Kodak Carousel
projector with some off-brand lens made by "RAYNOX". He claims
that the lens is both sharper and cheaper than the corresponding
(Kodak) Ektanar.
I'm a little wary of buying a lens made by a company I've
never heard of, especially when there seems to be no address or
manufacturer's name on the box (although there may be one inside).
Does anyone have any idea what this brand is like? While I'm at it
I'd also appreciate any comments people have about the Kodak line,
and especially the characteristics of their auto-focus (hunting, etc.).
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
--
Kevin Chapman
Computer Communications Networks Group
Waterversity of Uniloo
'Loo, Ont., Canadaark@alice.UUCP (Andrew Koenig) (07/06/85)
> A dealer in town is trying to sell me a Kodak Carousel > projector with some off-brand lens made by "RAYNOX". He claims > that the lens is both sharper and cheaper than the corresponding > (Kodak) Ektanar. There is an easy way to tell if the lens your dealer is pushing is worth-while: take two identical slides down to the store, ask the dealer to set up two projectors side by side, one with an Ektanar and one with the "RAYNOX", and compare images. If one looks better than the other, you've probably answered the question (though swapping lenses will make the answer more definite). If you can't tell the difference, you may also have answered your question. If the dealer won't do it, you've definitely answered the question. But if you're in the market for a slide projector, I urge you to consider the Leitz Pradovit RT-300. The New York discount houses seem to be offering them at a variety of prices, mostly around $300. You probably want the 90mm f/2.5 Colorplan-CF lens that comes with it; the CF stands for "curved field" to match the normal curvature of cardboard- (or plastic-) mounted slides. The Leitz takes Carousel trays and the Kodak stack loader and slide clips. The difference in image quality between the Leitz and the Kodak I compared it to is immediately obvious to the most casual observer.
smh@rduxb.UUCP (henning) (07/10/85)
> There is an easy way: take two identical slides down to the store, > ask the dealer to set up two projectors side by side, one with > an Ektanar and one with the "RAYNOX", and compare images. **** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA rduxb!smh There is one more thing you must do. Use a matte screen or even a plain piece of white card board or a white wall if it is very flat. Do not use a beaded or lenticular screen. They are designed for brightness and not image sharpness. Since most projectors are used on one of these screens which diffuses the image, a sharp lens is not always necessary.