Best "zoomer" for less than 10k?

I first clicked on this post because it was titled "Best "zoomer" for greater than ten thousand". Ten thousand dollars? Is that correct? I have a feeling you mean less than...

Either way, I am interested in seeing what ppl recommend for this setup though

How about the HC6800 Mitsubishi?

I assume most zoomers would favor motorized zoom, shift and focus?

There should be more models with motorization to make it easier.

Having just recently upgraded to a 2.35 screen and using my old RS1, I will say my next projector MUST have motorized zoom, focus and shift considering I am using the zoom method as well and I dont plan on buying a lense since I doubt it would offer much benefit in my paticular setup/seating distance. Having to do all this manually going between ARs is a bit of a PITA so a fully motorized lens (I am thinking RS15 at this point once a deal comes along) is a must in my mind.

I'm "zooming" using a new JVC RS25/950, w/motorized focus/zoom/shift. An anamorphic lens is in my future, but zooming certainly will get me by until then. I've built in a macro/vbscript that repositions the lens to/from 2.35 format using the JVC's built-in alignment grid. It's not perfect, as the JVC has no lens position memories/presets. The script sends a fixed number of repetitive up/down commands in the zoom and shift modes until the grid is aligned to the screen. I haven't yet fine tuned the no. of commands to send and I'm not convinced that the JVC will respond the same way every time. But hey, its cheaper than the a-lens.

Frankly, with a $10k budget you're better off getting a lens and a projector, you can get a very nice one of each for that budget.

The day I spend 10,000 on a PJ is the day someone comes out with a 1080P 2000 lumens PJ with Laser Light engine, 500,000:1 contrast, built in motorised anamorphic lens and utilising the Dolby 3D system. Who am I kidding! I'd still wait till it was eligable for the <$3000 forum

The Runco/Planar has manual (hand on ring) zoom and focus, and lens shift requires a tool. Works great with a lens though. Has all the basic aspect ratio modes needed, and an extra one or two.

The Viewsonic Pro8100 has motorized everything, perfect for zooming. If you can find one without the dreaded horizontal banding it's a screaming deal at a little over a grand. Next up would have to be the Panny, born for zooming, fully automatic. Better blacks, smoother pans with their fancy creative circuit, a little under 2 grand. Once your budget goes much beyond that it no longer seems to qualify for "poor mans", and you may want to consider a lens.

Of course there will be... there is always a need for new and creative ways to separate us from your wallets!


...Glenn

Pretty much anything with enough range can do this. Of course for ease of use, motorized lenses (even without memory) are the easiest.

The new Epsons will supposedly have lens memory and LCOS - think of at as a JVC HD550 (RS15) with dynamic iris and lens memory.

Agreed on my end.