Hello guys

I have just bought a Leitz Pradovit Color, I couldn't resist since it was in orgininal packing, NOT USED for 90 EURO!! A few questions: I thought all Pradovit Color were "250", however mine has a 150W bulb and it does not say "Pradovit Color 250" on the name plate, just "Pradovit Color"?!? I also read somewhere that a Color 150 exists but it is for 5x5 cm slides?!? Which years was it produced. It looks as a 60/70 design (similar to my Focomat 1C, grey model with white base board. HELP!!

-- Thomas Krantz (tkrantk@kpmg.dk), May 29, 2002

Answers

Thomas, mine has a Prodovit Color 250 name plate and it does have a 250 W bulb in it. If I remember correctly, I bought it brand new in the late sixties. Hope I could help. Best regards Juergen

-- Juergen Thomas (Juergen.Thomas@compaq.com), May 29, 2002.

There was a range of Pradovit-Color projectors offered. You could get them in 150w or 250w and, with or without AF. They were first introduced in 1967 with 150w and a 250w model was introduced in 1969. Leica stopped producing them in 1977 though a unrelated Color 2 model was available from 1986 - 1989. (source Laney)

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), May 29, 2002.

If you are going to use a fake email address, please do not request that postings be sent to you.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), May 29, 2002.

Thomas

They are superb projectors - there is nothing better today. You might even be able to fit a current Super-Colorplan on it, if you feel so inclined, but if it has a Colorplan then I wouldn't bother. The 250 watt is "better" in that it is brighter, but they are both wonderful machines. Of course you cannot fit LKM magazines on it, but to my mind this is no hardship.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 29, 2002.

How do you turn the autofocussing off with these projectors? Its a real pain as it never works.

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 29, 2002.

What do you mean it never works? Most of the Colors you see are non-AF. Otherwise it focusses the slide only when it first comes into the gate, you adjust focus after this - the AF is not meant to work then. This is a system that works well, actually, as there is no way you can fight with the autofocus system. So focus the lens manually (twist it in the mount) when the slide first appears, and then when the next slide first appears it will be sharp - when it pops it will probably need refocussing (use the control). On the other hand you can focus the lens manually with a popped slide, but then the autofocus system will prefocus for the popped next slide so you may have to wait for it to pop into focus.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 29, 2002.

To turn off autofocus, there is a small slide switch on the rear of the machine. There is also a small slide switch to reduce the light output.

I have the 150 and actually use it most of the time at half power. The 150 is more than bright enough in normal sized rooms.

I don't think the Super Colorplan will fit because it's a so-called P lens. The standard Colorplan is more than good enough. Compared to the Nikkor in my Nikon (Sawyers) projector, it's magnificient.

The only problem I ever had with mine was with the autofocus which Leitz fixed. I think it's worth getting it repaired even if the projector is very cool running and pre-heats slides before they enter the projector.

My projector also sat on a shelf for many years and I got a great deal on it. The only problem with this projector is that it takes European trays which aren't as easily obtainable at a good price. You can use other brands besides Leica.

I found out why the Europeans like the straight trays when I lived in Germany. I went to many highly organized slide shows there with coordinated music and the straight trays allow continuous projection of slides w/o interruption. With circular trays, you must have two projectors and some additional hardware to avoid interruption.

Congratulations, this is the best projector money can buy outside the later high end Leitz/Leica projectors. And unlike Nikon, you can still get it repaired.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), May 29, 2002.

Robin's answer makes me think that you don't understand how autofocus works. You turn on autofocus, project a slide, turn the lens in it's mount until it's in focus and then the projector will keep all following slides in the same registration (focus). It does this by moving the slide back and forth rather than moving the lens.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), May 29, 2002.

Bud

I am not sure you are right, although you might be. Leica do have a collar that allows the current lenses to fit the older C/CA/P series. I also think (but I am not sure) that the C/CA/P mount is the same as the Color's.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 29, 2002.

What I mean by Autofocus doesnt work is: First slide is shown, autofocus kicks in, attempts to focus (which it does quite well), and then you fine focus by turning the lens until slide is sharp, FINE, press button for next slide, next slide comes up, autofocus starts flying backwards and forwards, picture needs to be manually refocussed again. Basically I have to do this for every single slide that comes up. Ive noted that there is a bunch of cogs near the lens that obviously is used for autofocussing. Im tempted to open up the projector and totally remove these cogs. At least when I focus it, it will stay there, just like focussing a M6!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 30, 2002.

Karl,

This is the same problem I had with my autofocus. It appears to be defective and needs to be repaired. IMHO, it's worth doing. So far as I can tell, it's the only potential problem with these projectors.

Robin,

I talked to Leica about using the Super Colorplan in my Color 150 and was told it only worked with the P projectors. That was quite a while ago so maybe there is now an adaptor for it.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), May 30, 2002.

Bud, Thanks for the suggestion, I dont think I can be bothered to get it serviced, prob easier to remove the autofocussing (who needs it anyway!), My projector is actually a Pradovit 150 (the current one being sold) and I have a colourplan P2 on it. Cheers KArl

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 30, 2002.