Is too much lens shift bad? Z5 or AX200

[Anton]

A projector is the next toy to be purchased and the tyre kicking has begun. The Sanyo Z5 or Pana PT-AX200E seem to be the best for my budget and expectations. LCDs are the best option for me since I have to use lens shift to shoot between two pendent lights in the centre of the room.

Current arrangement

(Plasma to be wall mounted, centre channel to sit on AV cabinet. Roll down screen from ceiling to come down infront of wall mounted TV)

This begs the question...Is too much lens shift bad? With the Z5 it has a crazy amount of shift, half the screen height above or below the image. The Pana doesn't go to that extreme, but it still can achieve a healthy amount. Left to right shift is good on both also.

With the Z5 I can have the projector mounted directly on the ceiling (high WAF) and it will produce the 92inch desired image. The Pana needs to be about 15 inches from the ceiling (low WAF) to achieve the same result.
I don't want to be banking on using lens shift if it will result in poor results.

The Z5 is the front runner since it can be mounted on the ceiling, the high WAF factor option.

So is too much lens shift bad?

[Ovation]

using the extreme setting in one direction diminishes the shift available in the other. Otherwise, if not at the extremes, lens shift should not have any impact on your image quality. My Sony AW15 has both lens shift directions and it was much more pleasant to set up (I don't have mine ceiling mounted and I've rearranged my room a couple of times since I got the PJ) with lens shift. In my particular circumstance, having lens shift was a make or break feature (one reason I did not opt for the lower priced AW10 that lacks lens shift).

[Lex]

extremes are never best imo, though perhaps workable from a shift standpoint. I've noticed no degredation from shifting my Z4.

[Burke Strickland]

By definition, "too much" of anything is bad. However, in moderation, properly implemented lens shift can be a very good thing, allowing use of a projector where it might otherwise not be feasible, with little or no observable image degradation. My Sony projector is a couple of feet off center along the horizontal axis but mid-screen vertically, and it still throws a nearly "perfect" image. If it were centered horizontally, it would be right on my head when I sit in the sweet spot, and I prefer a different style of hat. :>)

Burke

[Anton]

By definition, "too much" of anything is bad

That is a winning statement. As long as I stay within the perameters of eitherv projector the picture will not be a problem.

The biggest issue now is which projector to buy Z5 or AX200....Alot of members seem to be having the same dilema.

[IllNastyImpreza]

By definition, "too much" of anything is bad. ...

everything in moderation...even moderation :T

I have cranked my lense shift in all directions... no visable changes in anyway