I've pretty much got all the parts I need to get going with the constuction of my projector now, except the fresnels and triplet lens. Ideally, I'd like to buy the parts from Australia sometime, but I can't seem to find fresnels or triplets of any type for sale here, let alone the type found in the LL pro kit (I'll be using a 17" LCD).

I realise what I am about to say next might be a bit suicidal, but I'm going to have to ask anyway. If I have to order from the US, it seems that the competition, DIYProjectorCompany, is selling an identical (?) triplet lens for $70 USD cheaper. Can anyone tell me how, if at all, this triplet lens differs from LL's pro triplet?

Now, I notice that their fresnels don't come quite as big as LL's do, but do I really need such a huge fresnel if I'm only using a 17" LCD? The pro fesnel seems to state that it is so big that it supports 19" LCDs, so I don't exactly need something that big, right?

Now, I don't fully understand what focal lengths I need yet, but DIYProjectorCompany's sets come in 330mm/220mm, 330mm/330mm and 220mm/220mm (focal length) sets. I notice that one of the pro fresnels is 220mm, but the other is 650mm. Exactly what would be the difference if I used a 330mm FL fresnel instead of a 650mm FL?

Once again, I realise that it's a bit weird of me to be asking such questions about DIYPC here, but if I can get the same result through them, then that's $88 USD I've saved (which is quite a lot, if you ask me).

just some quick advice,,

dont go near their triplet,,, it has all sorts of issues,,

if you have read anything of the LL forums, you would have picked up by now, that the new Pro Lens set is really good and worth getting..

I'm using the standard LL triplet and 3dlens fresnels (220 & 330) on a 17" LCD. It's not ideal for the optics but it's economically very acceptable.

Hmm, I've been reading through some PLOGs, and some people (like comp_atkins) seem to be getting great results from the standard LL triplet with a 17" monitor. I'm sure, that if I got the results he got, I'd be more than happy.

I've now also managed to salvage a triplet lens from an OHP. It has a focal length of 315mm, but that's all I know about it (it came off a Liesegang Trainer 400, if anyone wants to shed more light on what I actually have). I'm starting to wonder if I'd be able to use this triplet, since it only has a focal length difference of 5mm from the standard LL triplet. Then, all I'd need to do is order some fresnels and I'd be set.

Thoughts, comments, anyone?

Hey,

I think i am much like some of you. I am in planning stages for designing a 17" PJ and a bit confused with this whole lens thing. I have read all through comp_atkins PLOG and will probably set mine out much the same as his (with the 220 and 330 fresnals and standard triplet).

I dont know if any of this information will be usefull, but this is what i have picked up from the last few days of research. (please correct me if any of this is incorrect, for my sake and everyone elses )

- the back fresnal (closer to the light) is the shorter FL. Normally 220mm to minimise loss of light
- the front fresnal (the other one ) should be roughly the same FL as the triplet
- Pro lenses have a larger FL so are good if you wish to place the projector behind you when using it. So if you place a pro lens PJ at the same distance from the screen as a standard lens PJ then the Pro Lens PJ will display a smaller picture.
- Pro lens Kits are ideal for larger LCD displays as they spread the light across the screen more evenly (no dark corners)

Regarding this last point, i think by using a decent reflector and tweaking the positions of the lenses and light etc then dark corners shouldnt be a problem when using the standard triplet on a 17" LCD

This is probably all common knowledge, but if not.. i hope it helps

..
Valid8oR

BTW Ozstang65.. you got the 395mm fresnals from 3dlens right? how much was it in AUD for the 2 including freight to australia?

I ended up buying the 330mm FL and 220mm FL fresnels from 3dlens, and they charged me $110.88 AUD with shipping. You can try adding the items you want to your cart, then complete half the checkout procedure to find out the total, including shipping, in USD, then use a currency converter like www.xe.net/ucc to find out the cost in AUD.

Hi

Please let me know how you go with shipping, I was thinking of getting the fresnels from 3dlens....it's a pity we dont'have an Australian shop any more.

cheers

I know what you mean. I'm thinking about getting the same ones as Riveneye (thanks for the info btw;) ) from 3dlens, but its a pain coz then you have to get the triplet and what ever else (eg reflector etc) from lumenlab and we'll be paying 2 lots of freight! I roughly worked it out and I'll be paying about $70AUD just for shipping to get the stuff over here (thats almost the cost of the 2 fresnals).

Oh well.. what can ya do?

If anyone else is in adelaide and is looking at ordering some stuff from LL or 3dlens.. let me know

..
Vaild8oR

The IKEA bowl that gets mentioned a fair bit on these forums is available in Australian IKEA stores, if you want to give it a go. I managed to pick up one from my local store (Springwood).

If you want to also save a bit more money, and don't mind a bit of experimentation, you could try salvaging a triplet from an OHP like I did. Find one on ebay that is local to you, preferably one marked as broken. You'd be surprised at how many "power source dead, lenses are good" auctions there are. Just make sure, if you go down this road, that you are indeed looking at OHPs with triplets. You can usually tell by the photo provided, but, if in doubt, ask the seller.

I even managed to salvage a very nice, very quiet barrel fan out of an OHP which I will be using in my projector.

I can't recall what the $$ was, but I ordered on a Sunday and they arrived Wednesday using their expensive postal option. The 395mm (mm square, not focal length) have mitres on the corner which lose a bit, but they're still big enough.

I also ordered polarising film from them too. If you're thinking of removing the antiglare totally, budget this in also.

Umm.. what does this polarising film do? Is it something to do with UV?

While i am on the note, what are you using as a UV filter (if anything)? I wouldnt mind going the way of that Lexan X10 stuff, coz its killing 2 birds with 1 stone, UV and Heat shield. Do you know if 'Lexan' is the same as Perspex (spelling?)?

Thanks
..
Valid8oR

From what I understand, on your LCD panel, there is the panel itself, a layer of polarising film and an antiglare film. Removing the antiglare film is good, since you'll notice a vast improvement in picture quality, but if you remove the polarising film, you will no longer be able to see anything on your LCD. Removing one without removing the other is somewhat tricky, so you could buy the polarising film and just not care if you accidently remove both when you try to remove your antiglare layer, since you can just reapply the polarising layer with the stuff you bought.

I'm in Adelaide

Looking at buying from LL:

Pro Reflector
Standard triplet
UV filter
FS Mirror

And then fresnels from either 3dlens.com or bhlens.com, not sure which would be cheaper.

So saving on postage sounds good to me if you are interested. Where abouts in Adelaide are you?

Although bhlens.com seems to have a wider range of products, that site just screams *danger* at me. Any commercial site that is written in pure engrish is a bit scary. I couldn't even find what currency the prices are listed in (though I'll admit, I didn't look *too* hard). $:1.100? What's that meant to mean? $1.10 USD?

Yeah i was looking at getting my fresnels from 3dlens. Other people that i have talked to on here that have bought from them only had good thigns to say. Their prices dont seem to be too bad, and they have the lenses that i need (220 and 330). Plus they seem to ship things really quickly, which is a bonus! Only bad thing is, I gotta buy from 2 places to get all my lenses (double the freight! )

Aeon..

I too am gonna get the Pro Reflector and the Standard Triplet, (dont know about the UV filter yet, i want to check out this 'lexan'? stuff first). I'm gonna be ordering extra stuff form LL for a few mates to save on the shipping costs. I'll pm you with more details

'Lexan' is a manufacturer's name for polycarbonate.

Personally, I only have a single Hot Mirror with no particular cooling air path, just fans blowing up on the LCD from below. I initially also had some polycarbonate in the system, took it out and got a 10% light increase.

I think the polariser takes care of some of the UV, i guess time will tell! If you're worried about damaging the LCD with UV, think of it this way: a 17" LCD is only about $300 and dropping. So what if it needs replacing in a few years, cheaper than a commercial replacement bulb!

I assume reading your Plog it's this one here - http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/protect.asp#IR-UV - in which case it does both IR and UV which is exactly what I've been looking for

Where did you get it and how much did it cost you?

@ Valid8oR - I'll send you an email soon regarding LL etc stuff.

Yep, they have an Aus website

It cost about $135, but worth every cent. Send an email to:

roscoaus at rosco com au

I dealt with a guy called Ian. The piece was 125x125mm (5" I think)

Yeah i was mainly worried about damaging the LCD, and you are right about the cost of it being less than a bulb for a commercial PJ. But a drawback of these DIY PJ's (especially 15" and above) is the running costs from electricity consumption compared to a commercial one. I'm not sure on how much power a commercial PJ draws, but i would assume its a lot less than a 400W lamp, and LCD panel (maybe 25W?) and all the fans and stuff.

Does anyone actually know how much power these things use? It would be interesting to find out.




125x125mm for $135? so i am guessing a piece big enuff for a 17" LCD would be a fortune!!

I would like to go down the path of the 'Lexan' coz it just seems easier. I'm not hugely worried about the loss of light as i am not using a long throw lense, and other people with similar setups seem to get great results. I just dont really know where i can get something like that from here in adelaide (or even australia).

cheers guys
..
Valid8oR

I don't get here as often as I used to so sorry for the late reply




Never measured it, but probably about 500W. Irrelevant really if you're trying to compare running costs to a commercial PJ. You'll more than pay for your power consumption the first time you replace a commercial lamp.




Have a look at my setup, you'll see it's big enough. No other heat shielding required and no cooling problems whatsoever. The LCD is now running cooler than it was on its factory backlight.

Edit: Go to Bunnings for the polycarbonate.