DIY negative carrier?

Sherrie Kuehlein · Aug 16, 2004

I have been told it is possible to make a 35mm full-frame negative carrier by sandwiching two pieces of matte board together and cutting an appropriately sized hole in the middle. Has anyone tried this? Or anything else that has worked? I have a Beseler 23C enlarger, and the list price for the full-frame 35mm neg. carrier is $125 Canadian. I'm looking for an option which might be more frugal, but I don't really want to compromise on quality (ie. sharp edge), so I'll spend the money if I have to, but I thought I'd check for other ideas first.

Thanks!

BWGirl · Aug 16, 2004

I know many people have cut their own negative carriers and applied tape to the cut border to make it smooth. The other option is to check out ebay or similar. They sometimes have things like that for a song! I got a recessed lens board for my Beseler for $10 USD on ebay!

Jeanette

juan · Aug 16, 2004

I made a 2x3 adapter to fit inside my 4x5 carrier by developing two sheets of 4x5 film with the lights on (in a tray) fixing and washing, then cutting the correct size hole with an X-acto knife, then gluing one edge of the sandwich together. I'm sure you could do something similar with mat board or some type of plastic. It may be even easier with 35mm because you won't have to be so exact with the edges of the hole - the 35mm sprocket holes are wider than the borders on a sheet of 2x3 film.
juan

Jim Moore · Aug 16, 2004

juan said:
I made a 2x3 adapter to fit inside my 4x5 carrier by developing two sheets of 4x5 film with the lights on (in a tray) fixing and washing, then cutting the correct size hole with an X-acto knife, then gluing one edge of the sandwich together.

That's a very good tip Juan!

noblebeast · Aug 16, 2004

Hi Sherrie,

I have an extra, well-used but totally functional full frame 35mm neg carrier for the Beseler 23C that needs a good home. It's yours for the cost of shipping - PM me if you are interested.

Joe

Konical · Aug 16, 2004

Good Afternoon, Sherrie,

I'll second the comments above. Since you're using a Beseler, you have a real advantage over some other enlargers: the carriers are simple and flat so they can be made of almost anything which is sturdy enough to hold the negatives and is workable with easily available tools.

I've found that 1/8" tempered Masonite works very well. It's cheap, usually available in small two by two foot sheets at home centers, and is easily sawed and drilled by common wood-working tools. Be sure to get the tempered kind, because the standard kind leaves rough, "fuzzy" edges when cut and drilled.

All that said, it may be almost as economical to do as Jeanette suggests and pick up used carriers from E-Bay; there are usually various Beseler carriers listed, and, like other darkroom equipment, they often go for bargain prices.

Konical

ann · Aug 16, 2004

we have done this many times. If you are good at cutting windows the sharp edge should be no problem, or even if you don't. use a very sharp blade and metal straight edge.

As suggested also check ebay, they are available all the time. Try to get the old version as it is better made.

thedancefloor · Jan 18, 2012

Konical said:
Since you're using a Beseler, you have a real advantage over some other enlargers: the carriers are simple and flat so they can be made of almost anything which is sturdy enough to hold the negatives and is workable with easily available tools.

Good Gravy! I just realized that I have enough materials just kickin' around to make a DIY carrier from AN glass I used for scanning, and a chunk of glass I was able to remove from another carrier! Why didn't I think of this? Thank you!

Dallas

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 18, 2012

Here's one on Ebay. Looks like here's a bunch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beseler-23C...-USED-110-/260933133362?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

Rick A · Jan 18, 2012

You can make a mask to use on a larger carrier or on a piece of glass.

chioque · Jan 18, 2012

May be not exactly on topic, but related. I was watching the "Silver Footprint" DVD on Robin Bell last night and saw that one of his tricks was using used 4x5 negatives as masks by cutting the openings for the format required and black-taping the rest. He then sandwiched it between the negative to print and the carrier glass. He says it gives the 'dirty border' whilst preventing newton rings. Has anyone done something similar?

paul ron · Jan 18, 2012

Well if he hasn't taken advantage of the generous offer in the post above....

then a good quality acid free matt board is what I've used for many years till I finally scored a great deal on an original.

Cut the opening with a scalple or razor knife, paint the edges with Krylon ultra flat black to harden the board n make it a more pro looking job.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 19, 2012

I remember in photo school, the cool students made their own negative carrier because they wanted a full frame and the "dirty" edge in of the photo. Nothing wrong with a DIY carrier. You can get solid black mat board made by Bainbridge. http://www.artsuppliesonline.com/catalog.cfm?cata_id=5186. If you're cheap like me and don't want to spend the money on a full sheet, find a local art store that will sell you some scraps big enough for your carrier.

Jim Jones · Jan 20, 2012

Konical said:
. . . I've found that 1/8" tempered Masonite works very well. It's cheap, usually available in small two by two foot sheets at home centers, and is easily sawed and drilled by common wood-working tools. Be sure to get the tempered kind, because the standard kind leaves rough, "fuzzy" edges when cut and drilled. . . .

I used tempered Masonite (or perhaps another tempered hardboard) to make a 35mm negative holder for an ancient DeJur 4x5 enlarger. It has worked perfectly for 36 years.

DIY negative carrier?

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