Slide Projectors

Slide projectors have a singular purpose, and that is to display photographic slides. They are also commonly referred to as 35mm slide projectors and carousel slide projectors. Just like shopping for any other type of projector, image quality and brightness are going to be consequential aspects that relate to how it is intended to be used, and they also are factors that influence price. Slide projectors tend to be moved around more frequently than other types of projectors, therefore many models are equipped with zoom lenses to better adapt to different room sizes and lighting. Extra features that are more readily available with this type of projection unit are remote focus, auto focus, and a preview screen (beneficial in instructional settings).

Kodak Slide Projector

Kodak slide projectors were first manufactured in 1937 and were a top load one by one gravity fed machine. Kodak continued to manufacture slide projectors since that time constantly improving upon the original model until they ended production in 2004. During their long history of production, Kodak put out several different lines of projectors: the carousel projector, the medalist AF, Ektagraph, Ektapro, and Ektalight. The carousel and medalist AF projectors are the home consumer models, while the Ekta series are more for commercial and scholastic use. Over the thirty odd years that Kodak has produced slide projectors they released new series with each substantial improvement. The series of carousel projectors sold by Kodak include the 600(H), 650(H), 750(H), 760(H), 800(H) and custom. The H following each series stands for the halogen bulb that was used with these projectors to improve brilliance and reduce heat.

GAF Slide Projector

GAF Slide projectors came into existence shortly after the General Aniline and Film Corporation (GAF for short) bought Sawyer’s Photographic Services in 1966. Sawyer’s was the company that created view master that later gave birth to the slide projector. One distinguishing characteristic of the GAF slide projector is its vertical slide tray. Unlike the Kodak trays that most of us have come to recognize, GAF projector trays likened more of a Ferris wheel design. GAF slide projectors were mass produced in numbers that rival Kodak, but never did receive the name branding that Kodak has come to enjoy.