DeVere Glass Carriers in 4x5?

[Sparky]

Hi kids,
I'm trying to find a glass 4x5 carrier for a 504. Does anybody even know if these were even made?? I've been doing as much snooping around the net as I could - but came up with nothing. I tried odyssey and KHB - a week ago - but no response.

Thanks - if anyone knows anything about this.

Jonathan

 

[boyooso]

You should be able to get one from Odyssey, but it will be expensive!

I also see them from time to time on Ebay but they come in different forms, there are may different versions of them.

However I would recommend that you build your own. It is easy and might be easier to use.

I will photograph one that I made tomorrow and make a link to a photo so you can see just how easy it is.

Sorry for the delay.

Corey

 

[Peter De Smidt]

You don't need a new carrier. All you need to do is replace the metal negative masks with glass plates in your carrier. You should probably use regular glass for the bottom plate and anti-newton for the top. These can be bought from Focal Point in Florida: http://www.fpointinc.com/lighthouse.htm I'm going have to get a new anti-newton plate, as mine just broke.

-Peter

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Oops. I forgot to add the following: The glass plates have beveled edges. These are held in the negative carrier in the same way that the metal masking plates are. This bevel means that making them yourself would be a pain, unless you're good at precision glass grinding. Focal Point will probably have the right type in stock.

-Peter

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Focal Point lists the proper anti-newton glass for $38 dollars and the clear for $15.

-Peter

 

[boyooso]

Focal Point (Mike Sparks) is the BEST source for anit-newton ring glass. Many people say 1 piece on top is enought, but I would recommend useing 2 pieces, I have had too many problems that will drive you crazy when I only use 1.

Here is a negative carrier I made, which I think works very well. I made it out of 3/16 gator, but have also made them from wood in the past. The gator was a quick and dirty replacement that has turned out to work better than I had expected. The glass is actually for a devere enlarger and is about 5X7 in size.

The carrier is about 2 inches larger on each edge than the glass. But the back side which is closest to the column needs to fitted to your specific enlarger. I say this because if you make it too big you won't be able to center the neg in the lens.

I made it buy cutting 2 pieces of gator to the same size which is the outer dimension of the carrier.

Then, I cut a window to about 4X5 inches in one of the boards. You can cut smaller if you want to make a smaller carrier or to make sure you don't have any light spilll over. However I cut mine slightly larger and use tape to cover any light spill over.

The second board I cut to the size of the glass and then a few cut outs for my fingers to life the glass as I need to clean the transaprency after it is in glass(don't underestimate your need for the cut outs!)

Then I put packing tape over all the edges I've cut so there isn't a dust problem and tape the two pieces together!

Make sure to use a think enough board so that the glass fits completely into the whole it fits into... otherwise you would some light spill over where the head meats the carrier.

These carriers work very well for me, I use the EVERY DAY, and I've used this carrier for years!

I hope this helps!

Corey

 

[Sparky]

I love it.

Great answers so far. Yes - I don't know why it didn't occur to me to use glass blanks instead! Probably because my 504 is new (to me) and I have not yet used it as I don't have a fully functioning (or fully built!) darkroom yet. At any rate, I'll take the ball and run with it.

BTW - I don't suppose anyone here has an actual CARRIER they might be able to sell me??? Mine did not come with one!! Though I am now the man with many masks!!

 

[Sparky]

Actually - I have ANOTHER quickie question about the 504. I've seen carriers which have a masking mechanism in them - but are much THICKER than seems would actually fit in my 504. I've seen THINNER ones that look more like they'd fit mine - but no built-in masks. I'd love to be able to mask off portions of a given image - or at least have that control at my fingertips. I'm not sure which 'mark' mine is. I thought a V. But who really knows. I can't seem to find a corresponding label on the thing anywhere. But I do know it looks like I have maybe 4mm to slide a neg carrier of some kind in. The column is dk. brown with a beige transport bracket and the usual beige dichromat head.

thanks.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Early 504s used a thick carrier with built in masking. Newer carriers don't have the masking built in, and they use plastic hinges which I hate. The reason I hate them is that you can't open the carrier 90* and leave it open. This makes positioning the film more troublesome. I use an "old" carrier, which opens completely, on my newer 504. All I had to do was replace the head raising posts with slightly longer ones. Sparky, you should get a manual from Odyssey. If you have difficulty getting one, let me know.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a spare pin registered carrier and punch, but I'm afraid that these would be pretty pricy. They use a Kodak style registration
system. In fact I think that the punch is a Kodak one.

 

[Sparky]

Peter - thanks for the great info. Will you send me your pin-reg carrier as a gift??? Come on!! I know you're a nice guy deep down!! Just KIIIDDINNNNGG of course! Anyway - it's interesting - I was also actually thinking of a means to obviate or bypass the use of glass. Some sort of tensioning mechanism that pulls the neg tight across the opening, especially as the neg starts to expand. Perhaps I should look into other areas of technology where this is a desirable requirement - medical? trampolines? I dunno. If I figure something out I'll try to publish it here first. Though I'm sure glass is probably the best route. As for the manual - so you would recommend that, eh? I wasn't sure how useful it would be. Many manuals aren't all that great from what I've seen. But I'll take your word for it. KHB in Canada has them for USD 20. Perhaps I'll order one.