Kodak Ektagraphic III AMT slide projector Review

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(More customer reviews)First a little about the projector in this listing: The AMT model with the optional "Extra Bright" light module was Kodak's best selling professional projector for many reasons. It has the features most will use (auto-focus, remote-focus, variable timer, etc), projects an excellent image, and like all the Ektagraphic III machines it is very durable. The Ektagraphic III machines were quite a bit more expensive than the Carousel series when Kodak sold them new but Ektagraphic III series models can be had used for about the same price now. If you are buying a slide projector the AMT is the model I would recommend.
The most important tip I can offer when buying a Kodak projector: Buy an Ektagraphic III series machine and avoid the Carousel series machines. The Carousel projectors (5600, 4600, 4400, 4200, etc) are more familiar to most users but were built for home use. All have two plastic gears and one plastic part that get brittle and fail with age (this happens whether the machine is used or not). The Ektagraphic III models (ATS, AMT, A, E Plus, E, etc) do not have this problem since Kodak used metal for these three parts in the professional models. The controls work the same and are in the same places (so if you've used a Carousel model using an Ektagraphic III machine is the same). The Ektagraphic units have other advantages over the Carousel series (better slide registration, the Auto-focus can be turned off by a switch on the front panel when not needed, etc) but the major difference is the durability. There are three additional buying tips below but for now lets move on to model selection.
To determine which projector to buy it helps to be familiar with the three major features so let's quickly review them. Auto-focus is where you focus the first slide and the machine will focus the rest. Remote-focus allows you to manually focus each slide with the wired remote control. And the Timer feature is a slider control that will automatically advance the tray to the next slide at a set interval (adjustable from about 3 seconds up to 30 seconds per slide). Here are the features on each model along with relevant notes:
Kodak Ektagraphic III ATS and the Carousel 5600: Has all three features mentioned plus a pull-out view-screen that replaces the lens.
Direct Link: Kodak Ektagraphic III ATS Projector
Direct Link: Kodak Carousel 5600 Projector
Notes: Both of these have the same feature set on the AMT model with one additional feature, which is a small built-in view screen that allows preview of slides without a lens or screen.
Ektagraphic III AMT Features: Has all three features (Auto-focus, Remote-focus, and Timer) and as I mentioned above is the one I would recommend to most buyers.
Direct Link: Kodak Ektagraphic III AMT 35mm Slide Projector Without Lens.
Notes: The AMT is listed here on Amazon WITHOUT LENS since this is how Kodak originally sold the advanced Ektagraphic III models. You need to know that most slide projectors sold on Amazon DO come complete with lens/tray/remote/etc. What is included depends on the seller, to see exactly what comes with each projector you will need to check the seller's comments (see the buying tips below for help locating these comments).
Ektagraphic III A and the Carousel 4600 Features: Has Auto-focus (no Remote-focus or Timer).
Direct Link: Kodak Carousel 4600 Projector
Direct Link: Kodak Ektagraphic III A model Projector
Note: The Ektagraphic III A is offered as an upgrade in some of the Carousel 4600 Listings for less. Again, you will need to read the seller comments for each item to locate these upgrades.
Ektagraphic III E Plus and the Carousel 4400 Features: Has Remote-focus (no Auto-focus or Timer).
Direct Link: Kodak(R) Ektagraphic III E Plus Slide Projector
Direct Link: Kodak BC4401 Carousel 4400 Projector
Note: The Ektagraphic III E Plus is offered as an upgrade in some of the Carousel 4400 Listings for less. Again, you will need to read the seller comments for each item to locate these upgrades.
Ektagraphic III E and the Carousel 4200 Features: No Auto-focus, Remote-focus, or Timer.
Kodak BC4201 Carousel 4200 Projector
Note: Again, check the Seller Comments in the Carousel 4200 Listings for E model upgrades (currently there are no Ektagraphic III E model listings on Amazon).
Three final buying tips:
This is important: The specific product description for each slide projector being sold IS NOT ON THE OVERALL LISTING PAGE FOR EACH MODEL (since the accessories for each machine vary you can't just look at the overall listing description). You must look in the "Seller Comments:" section to see what is actually included. To get to these comments you need to click into the new or used listings (from the overall listing page for each projector model). Only then will you see the Price/Ratings/Shipping/Seller Comments for each specific projector listed. Some sellers include things like an Extra Bright Light Module, most but not all projectors do come with a lens (regardless what the overall listing says), some come with trays/a carry case/etc, and some come with no accessories at all. This information can only be found in the "Seller Comments:" section found at each individual price point (and there are usually several different prices for each projector model once you click into the "New" and "Used" sections). Often you will need to click the "more" link to see all of the seller comments for a listing.
Any of the machines mentioned above can use the optional Kodak or Navitar "Bright Light" modules but most were not sold with them. Buying a projector with the Extra Bright Light Module is recommended as they do increase the brightness of the projected image by about thirty percent, there is no disadvantage to using a brighter light module, and the same model with one can frequently be had for the same price.
All of the machines listed above can use any of these three lamp types:
EXW = Brightest available (but only about half the life of an EXR).
EXR = Medium life and Brightness lamp.
FHS = Long Life (but lower brightness and also adds a slight yellow tint to images).
If your goal is the brightest/sharpest slide image possible: Get a projector with an Extra Bright Light Module, use an EXW type lamp, and use a fixed (not zoom) lens since they have fewer glass elements (which allows more light to pass though the lens and usually provides a sharper image).
Hope the Mini Buyer's Guide was worth the read, and if you still have questions I'm Bill with Slide Central. Feel free to call or email and we will do our best to help.

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The AMT model was Kodak's best selling professional projector for many reasons. It has every feature offered on the Ektagraphic III series except the integrated pull-out view-screen (to get this feature see the top-of-the-line Kodak Ektagraphic III ATS projector listing). The AMT has the features most will use (auto-focus, remote-focus, variable timer, etc). It projects an excellent picture, and like all the Ektagraphic III machines it is very durable and has better registration than the Kodak Carousel series of projectors (which were made for home use). The AMT did cost quite a bit more new but can be had used now for about the same price as the other Ektagraphic III models.

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