Fujifilm Z5000
projector review
It has been a while that a new projector comes along, which has me exited.
It is not the resolution, it is not the price, it is not the
new display technology, it is non of these things which would make headlines
in our AV magazines.
The Fujifilm Z5000 is something different. Something which
can't be put into words, but needs to be seen.
Fujifilm is not known for data/video projectors. It is a
film, lens, medial and other imaging company. A company which has done
really well in the transition from analogue to digital technology. It has seen
the signs of the times early and adopted. Makes me rather jealous as an old (in
both sense of the word) Kodak staffer.
Fujifilm is known for high quality workmanship, thorough
research and ingenuity and this new projector shows it.
In fact it came as a big surprise to the Fujifilm staff in Australia,
that the company would venture into this field.
The Z5000 is really solid when you get it. In fact it pays
to have had a good breakfast if you want to lift it up several times a day.
So you finally get the box from the car onto the table and
unpack. You see a dark grey box with a massive lens attached. (There will be a
white unit later this year.)
Now the lens looks like a great handle to lift the projector
out of is packing, but beware. Better read the fine print on the attached
label.
So we grab the unit by the edges and lift it on to the
table. But which way around?
In fact the unit can be set up flat or vertically. Depends
on your installation and the way you need to project or how much footprint you
can have in your install.
Snorcle type, portrait, conventional, floor to ceiling,
table to floor - you name it.
This projector does it all, with ease. Just power it up and
the lens mechanism will activate. Now we can turn the lens into our desired
direction.
Yes, this is what makes the projector so amazing, it is so
flexible in its set-up.
You got to see it.
In fact the unit is realy smart. It remembers its previous
settings and after a second or two of contemplation, it will shift the image to
the previous set-up.
All adjustments, except the turning of the lens are by press
of a button.
But what is this all good for?
Consider this. You need to
install a projector, so that you get a really big image. You choose a Ultra
Short Throw projector, because you want to avoid people walking into the image.
But desaster strikes. A pillor or airconditioning outlet is in the way. You move
the projector sideways, but there are massive distrortions. You get 'normal'
projector and move it back, but there are now people walking into the projection beam causing shadowsand
you can not move the bl..dy pillar.
But not so with this projector. Just activate the shift and
the image moves like magical from one side of the wall to the other one. It has
a huge shift range in both horizontal and vertical axis.
I have recently seen an installation at Tokyo tower, where,
as it is often the case, aircondition outlets are where the projector should
be. So the projectors are moved to the side, image re-centred and even if the
hall is full, people can get close to the screen without throwing shadows.
Magical.
The Z5000 has amazing short throw capabilities. A 6m wide
image can be achieved from just about 2.5m, allowing a very steep projection
angle and no shadows, even if you walk close up to the screen. This is not only
great for front-on projection, but projecting on to the floor or ceiling as so
well done at Ocean by Naked in Yokohama.
Don't we hate it if presenters, teachers, trainers walk into
the projected image and obstruct some of the content?
The combination of ultra short throw and massive shift
ability makes this a thing of the past with the Z5000. Just move the projector
to the side of the screen, shift the image and....no shadows. Just fantastic.
Applications are plentiful, from exhibitions, immersive
projections, simulations, training, education and even home theatre.
So the big chunk of glass at the front of the periscope
really has a great function and, I like to say, also a fantastic image quality.
But then, what would you expect from a leader in 4K and 8K broadcast lenses, an
industry which can be as fickle as a high spirited race horse, when it comes to
quality.
All other features are quickly told. 1920x1080 resolution
with a 4K unit tagged in the future. 5000 lumen brightness as measured to an
industry standard with higher brightness to expect in 2020. Extesive keystone
and image edge adjustments. And I think, that is very subjective, as top
quality image processing, possibly the result that the projector comes from an
imaging company. DLP technology.
A healthy, but well justified pricetag around
A$ 20,000.00.
You want one, two or more? Better get your order in. I could
imagine that there may be soon a waiting list, but that would be something
good, since it proves that Fijufilm is right.
©Norbert Schmiedeberg
ITI-Image Group
proud reseller of the Z5000
this write up is NOT sponsored by Fujifilm, but made because I just love the unit.
