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Negative Carriers

This is one area where there are still debates about the most effective type of carrier. In recognition of this it may be wise to opt for a system that allows the use of both the glass and glassless types. The advantage of the glass carrier is that without doubt keeps the negative FLAT. It does little good to follow the suggestion of using a slightly longer than normal lens in the enlarger to gain edge to edge sharpness, if the negative is going to pop in and out of focus during or before the exposure. This can sometimes happen due to the heat in the lamp housing and a great difference in the temperature and humidity of the negative and the area where the neg carrier sits in the enlarger and a glass carrier is more likely to prevent this. With more powerful enlarging lamps and long exposures this can become a real problem with the glassless type carriers. 

However, glassless carriers mean there is only two surfaces, (the front and back of the negative) to keep clean and free of tiny dust particles, while the glass carriers have six sides to trap dust, and also humidity, which an cause a effect called Newtons rings that can show up on the print.

A set of 35mm, 120 and 5x4 negative carrier plates. With this De Vere system, the plates are changed in and out of the carrier by moving the release clip outwards.

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The negative plates are held in place by a bevel edge on the plate that locks under a series of beveled washers screwed onto the main carrier frame.

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With this 5"x7" glass carrier the negative is held firmly between the two sheets of glass. Care must be taken with these carriers not to scratch the glass.

 

 

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