I was wondering if anybody could tell me what the difference would be on these triplets regarding the picture quality. I'm going for my first DIY PJ and would probably just start off with the starndard S15 Triplet, but I'm also very intreaged in getting some good quality for my first DIY PJ.

If anybody has or knows of before/after pictures then that would be great.

P.s.: I searched the forum and didn't find anything
P.s.: My first DIY PJ would include the current LL bulb, LL eBallast, LL Mogule, LL Pro reflector, 17"W, 220/330mm Frensels, Lexan XL10 and a 327mmTriplet.

I believe the Pro Triplet has better optics and generally produces a better picture. However, this is not the main thing to be concern with. You can search the completed projects and see some terrific looking images made with the standard lens. The problem you will run into is that the standard lens doesn't have enough room to "see" a 17inch or larger monitor. That's why the pro is larger. If you use the standard with a 17", you'll get dark corners because the projected image won't fit into the lens. If you're material you'll be watching is letterboxed, then it's not as much of an issue because you won't be using the corners. There are some postings that cover this topic. Take a look around in the beginner's forum.

David

Also with a larger FOV the Pro Triplet will allow more of the lamp arc to be used resulting in a brighter image than the Standard Triplet.

Dark corners and all that wasn't a factor for me getting the Pro lens, only thing I thought about was the location of the PJ. Which I knew I wanted behind me. lol, so it was pro for me.

But as they said, Pro = more light + better for the 17" + monitors.

Thanks for clearing that for me.
Looks like I´m getting a 327mm lens that supports my 17"W LCD.

I´ll be looking in the Copmleted PJ forum/threads for some pictures.
Thanks again.

327mm + 17" LCD = very short throw.

This means that you'll have a HUGE screen, and/or the projector will have to be located very close to it.

The diagonal size of the projected image if going to be greater than the distance from the projection lens to the screen. I'd suggest that you download the focal calculator, and figure out your screen size before you start. Now do a couple of things...

1. Use masking tape to frame out the screen size that you're going to have.

2. Put a large cardboard box where your projector will have to be to get that screen size. You aren't going to be able to get much keystone, so put it close to being in line with the center of the screen. SOME keystone is possible, of course, but don't count on lots.

3. Now see if you like where you have to sit to be able to see the whole screen. Big is good, but too big gets hard to take after a while. With my 15" LCD and standard (320mm) triplet, I ended up sitting beside my projector. This is okay by myself, but not so good when watching with other people. With a 17" screen, I think it'd be too big, and I'd need to sit back further. Then the projector itself is in the way...

The biggest advantage to the pro lens is it's greater throw. Having a 500mm FL makes it so that the projector can be further back, and it can handle the 17" LCDs with a minimum of issues.

Lens design is a tricky thing. The larger a FOV you're trying to get, the harder it is. Combining a long FL with a wide FOV is hard to do, which is one reason why the pro lens costs so much more. However, for what you get, it's still a good buy.

In my projector room the projector will only be about 6' from the approx 60" screen. Will the pro lens still focus at this short distance or must it be further back from the screen? Thanks!

The lens can project a focused image at that distance; however, what you must determine using focalcalc is just how big the projected image will be using your LCD and particular triplet.