effect of broken enlarger filter drawer glass

Carljoel · May 23, 2015

Hello everyone! I've just bought and used my first enlarger in my life. It is a condensor enlarger. However, I broke the glass in the filter drawer. The top left corner has broken. I subsequently found that the pictures that I printed have white spot on the top left corner as illustrated in the attached pics. Is this problem fixable by replacing the glass? What is this glass and is it a must for an enlarger to be operated properly? Thank you in advance.

Sirius Glass · May 23, 2015

I cannot give you advice about how best to correct this problem, however welcome to APUG.

ic-racer · May 23, 2015

The glass can help minimize negative "pop" which occurs when the negative curls slightly as it is heated by energy of the enlarger light. Many people fire up the enlarger and watch the negative pop under the grain magnifier and re-focus, then cover the lens and place the paper on the easel. If you do it like that the negative probably pops quicker without the glass.

Newt_on_Swings · May 25, 2015

You can buy heat absorbing glass still online. Cut it with a glass cutter or bring it to a glass shop with the holder and old piece. Or you can just not use it.

Carljoel · May 28, 2015

Thanks for everyone's reply. I will try to find a heat absorbing glass in my city!

John Koehrer · May 28, 2015

What size and where are you?
I've got a piece or two floating around here.

M Carter · May 28, 2015

Are you sure it's the filter drawer? My condenser enlarger has (after the lamp) the heat glass first, then the condensers, then the filter drawer.

ParkerSmithPhoto · May 31, 2015

Ditch the hot bulb and replace it with a warm white LED. Million times better.

effect of broken enlarger filter drawer glass

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