Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well, I gave in... Yesterday afternoon, I picked up one of those discounted P2002 projectors from my local dealer, Glazers in Seattle. P2002 plus Super Colorplan P lens for just $900. Unfortunately, they don't receiver thier Super Colorplan P lenses until next week, but they were good enough to give me a standard Colorplan P to use in the meantime. I never have given much thought to projection, but I heard so many good things about the P2002 + Colorplan that I decided to try it. Previously, I've been using an old (ca 1972) Rollei, a Kodak Carousel, and for the last 3 years or so, a Leica P150. Anyway, we projected some slides on the 2002 last night and I am still recovering from the shock. What an astounding device. We looked at several trays, comparing the P150 to the P2002, and the difference is remarkable. We were amazed at the brightness, the contrast, and the edge to edge sharpness this setup provides. A couple of observations: 1) We noticed that the difference between Kodachrome 64 slides and the E6 films (we looked at some Provia, E100SW, and E100VS) is *very* apparent with this projector. We kept coming back to this batch of K64 we had shot around Bavaria on a Contax G, and wondering what made them look so good. Sure enough, the slide mount read "Kodachrome". Even some recent work, shot on E100VS lacked the punch and detail of the Kodachromes. 2) Several of the slides in the Bavaria batch were known to be a little soft, a victim of the Contax G's infamous focusing problems with the Sonnar 90mm. But even these appeared sharp when viewed with the P2002 and Colorplan. I assume this results from the increased contrast, which gives a perception of sharpness. 3) There is a subtle emotional effect that distinguishes this projector/lens combination from others that I have seen. I know it's not a fair comparison, but our reaction when looking at the slides with the P150 was "very nice". With the P2002, there was almost a "shocking" feeling resulting from a stunningly bright, contrasty, highly detailed image. 4) The P2002 is LOUD. But I guess it takes a pretty robust cooling system to support such bright projection. The slide changing mechanism is FAST and SURE. 5) The integrated pointer in the control is a disgrace. You'd think that at this price point, Leica could have built-in a nice laser pointer. I'm getting ready to spend a few weeks in Southern Spain, and had planned to shoot the new VS. But the incredible image quality of good old K64 is still tough to beat. It took a new Pradovit to show me the difference that's always been there. - --Jim Laurel