I've been using an NEC LT-158 for nearly the last 10 years (my how time FLIES) and have had NO complaints - but I am thinking about something brighter and lighter and higher res (this is 1024x768) and I am sure there have been some advances since 2003 - any suggestions or feedback for the latest and/or greatest digital projector for photographers? TIA!

I'm currently using an Optoma TW330. It's very small and light weight, weighing only 2.5 lbs. Has native resolution of 1280x800 with max resolution of 1400 x 1050. It also runs on 100v - 240v so it travels overseas well.

It looks like you can get a good feel for what's current by using the optima website. It has a solution finder. Use business setting, on the go and see what types of projects they make. From there, you can compare other brands to see if there is something comparable.

The new model # of my Optoma 1691 projector is 1692, $849 BH Photo. I use a MacAir to drive it with a mini display port to hdmi connector available at Amazon for pocket change. I advance the frames on the MacAir with a Kensington remote that goes into the USB port, I think it was $50, Amazon.

I am running tiny Bose Companion 2 series speakers $99 off the MacAir for music. Small, the size of 2 thick paperback books. Room filling sound.

My PA is a PylePro pwma for $73 Amazon. I replaced the Lavalier Microphone with the Audio Technica ATR $29 Amazon. The set up complete is the size of a bread box and fills an auditorium of up to about 400 folks. It has a rechargeable battery built in, so no power cord to hassle with. I have not run dry yet even in 3 hour presentations.

The laptop, projector, and Bose speakers all go into a shoulder bag. The PA and extension cords go into another shoulder bag. I then carry the Daylite projector stand in my open hand. So I can make the show all in one trip from the car.

I have been using an Optoma 1691 DLP projector since 2008. It is flyweight at only 3.2 pounds, and I use it all the time. Two evenings ago we filled a 300 seat auditorium in Balboa Park with folks to see renowned photographer, Phil Borges, present. I was MC and projectionist with that rig. Folks were so impressed with the projector there was a line of folks to see what the model number was, and a line of folks to buy Phil’s books, which sold out.

Hope this saves you a bunch of money and frustration, Greg.

Thanks a bunch to both of you Very helpful! I looked up old posts before posting this and it's been a couple of years since we discussed this topic. It seems like Optima gets a lot of good reviews!

Steve, especially thankful for the additional info. Looks like an awesome set up! I think for my uses, and considering the amount of traveling I do, I'm going to pick up a TW330 which Tony has. I looked at the Optima site and this seemed to be the logical choice for me. AND, to make it an even easier choice, I was able to find a factory refurbished one for under $600!

I'll let you guys know how it works out - looking forward to projecting images with a bit higher resolution and with this decade's technology

Very timely post, Greg. I'm just starting to research digital projectors for my own use at workshops and for slideshows at my gallery. I'll have a look at the Optima TW330 projector just as soon as I hit the "submit" button on this post. Thanks for the information!

I 'm using the Canon XEED SX 50 (res 1400x 1050, LCOS technology) and have been very content so far. This projector is outdated in the meantime, too and there are several newer models (same resolution, though). Depending on your budget you can take a look at the XEED SX 80 or SX 7 or go for a refurbished SX60. They are not very heavy but no paperweight, though. In general the Canon Xeed projectors are highly rated for sharpness, color and gamut - at least here in Europe

Wolfgang

Greg,
Talking this back to a subject that I queried previously, does this particular projector utilize an aRGB or a sRGB color space and will the files you create for projection be aRGB or sRGB?

Joseph: I have calibrated the projector using an X-rite color munki so it runs it's own calibrated color space. My images will be processed with Adobe RGB.

So far I'm happy with the TW330 though I have now realized that my laptop really does need an upgrade since the built in video card seems to be rendering noticeably slow when running the projector at 720P.

Tony: I have been unable to get the projector into a 1200x800 (native) state - 720P is the closest I can get (1200 x 720 I think) and when trying to run it at 1080P it flickers (might be my video card - I will be testing with a new laptop this week. What do you set yours on for normal use? Right now 720P seems to be the ticket.

If it flickers that means it needs 1080i not 1080P

Greg,

You forced me to find my connector and plug it into my iMac. With a standard VGA connector, the iMac has no problems selecting the default 1280x800 (not 1200x800) native resolution. I can also get to a number of other resolutions including 1400x1050, at 60, 75 or 85 Hz. The projector is NOT capable of 1080P since that is 1920x1080 which is larger than the largest possible resolution on the machine at 1400x1050. 720P is 1280x720, which I can also select directly with my iMac.

With my iPad, I can also use an HDMI connector to get 720P on the display. In theory, I can also do that with my iMac with the correct adapter cable but as I don't have that cable (yet), I can't try it. (It's much smaller than the VGA cable so I really need to get it and try it for traveling!)

Greg, I travel overseas with a Qumi projector that is very very very small and lightweight. I bought it for $500 on Amazon. Easy to use and works great if the room is dark. I don't use it domestically, because I have a bigger/brighter/better projector stateside.

The Optom HD23 is about 6 1/2 lb, and has 1920 x 1080 and "up to 2500 lumens". To consider if you want to get all those hard-won details onto the screen and think 6 1/2 lb is "portable".

Can I have your old projector?

I have an Optoma EH1020 1080p projector at the office. The colour is pretty bad on it - it's ok for PowerPoint but I wouldn't use it for photos. (I've never tried hardware calibration, though.) How's the colour on the current models?

I have JVC 1080p projector in my home theater (and it looks "nice" as a computer screen too) but I've never used a hardware calibrator on it - its greyscale is very good for HD video, so I suspect profiling it would result in it being very good for "stills" also. I don't know about the HD23 but an iOne or ColorMunki type gizmo should get it close enough.