Condenser enlarger with AN glass question

G'day all,
I'm using my Beseler 23C III XL condenser with a 2¼ x 3¼ glass carrier for my 35mm negs. I recently changed the clear top glass for an AN glass and I'll be darned - to me my prints exhibit a new and interesting quality. It is hard to describe but it "feels/looks" like there is an ever so slightly expanded tonal range on my prints now. I do like this, mind you, but my question to anyone here is: "am I seeing something that just isn't there; is my mind's eye tricking me; has anyone else noticed a difference when using AN glass - other than the loss of Newton's rings?" I am happy to be just convincing myself that my printing is getting better, but I do wonder if anyone else out there has noticed something like this in their printing experience?
thanks and cheers!
sam

You may have either increased or decreased the amount of flare in your system.

With Leitz Focomats AN glass can reduce the sharpness a bit.

Yes I guess that with the AN glass being ever so slightly diffused, perhaps this is broadening out the tonal range.... Anyway, thanks Matt and Chip for chiming in here ........... cheers, Sam

samcomet said:

Yes I guess that with the AN glass being ever so slightly diffused, perhaps this is broadening out the tonal range.... Anyway, thanks Matt and Chip for chiming in here ........... cheers, Sam

Click to expand...

I think its the diffusion as well making prints "feel" different. Diffusion has a bit less contrast which helps the mid tones come up more evenly.

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Thanks Paul for that one too. Appreciated. Sam