Anti-Newton Glass

[rob_haury]

After being Impressed by the photography of Lynn Radeka I've been toying with the idea of building a masking kit. He (she?) states that he sometimes uses a registration carrier made with anti-newton glass and sometimes not. My question is, other than the price of the glass is there any reason to not use anti-newton glass? And, should you use it for both pieces of glass or just the bottom? Also, if anyone has any suggestions, comments or experiances in this area, please relate.

Thanks

[sandy_sorlien]

I haven't used the anti-newton glass, but I often use two pieces of

regular glass when printing odd-size negs full frame. I have no

problems with rings if I run masking tape around the edges of each

piece so that the thickness of the tape keeps the pieces just slightly

separated yet still hold the neg flat. Once I had rings when I had

just vigorously rubbed the glass with a paper towel to remove a

smudge, and the static electricity caused the neg to stick and create

rings. An anti-static brish should help with that.

[oren_grad]

Rob -

 

<p>

 

You use anti-Newton glass on the top (in contact with the base side

of the film) only, NOT the bottom (emulsion side of the film). AN

glass has a fine texture to its surface that will visibly degrade the

print if the image is projected through it...

[trevor_crone1]

Rob I use anti Newton glass both top and bottom in my DeVere neg. carrier without a hint of texture from the etched lower surface. However caution is called for this was not the case when I used a Meopta enlarger. There was a pronounced textured image when using a lower AN glass. This is a case for try it and see.

Regards,

[rob_haury]

Thanks for your responses. I wonder if the artifacts of AN glass are

less apparent when using a diffusion type enlarger. I've heard that

dust spots show up less with this type of enlarger vs a condensor

type of enlarger. I don't understand how it could make a difference

but what do I know. I'm also wondering if these lines would be

apparent when making the mask since this is essentially a contact

print made with film instead of paper.

[keith_hemphill]

I have used an Omega 4x5 diffusion enlarger for years. Its the only

way to go, especially for color. The reason the dust shows up less is

because light is projected through the neg from all angles up to about

135deg. A condenser enlarger focuses the light all to shine through

the neg from basically one angle. This means that the dust spot casts

quite a distinct shadow whereas with the diffusion enlarger the light

is diffused, hence the name. The diffusion light then, allows the

lens alone to resolve the image, therefore, if the dust is on the

other (base) side of the neg it practically dissappears. However, if

it is on the emulsion side, it will usually still be somewhat visible.