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Glossy side of film : up or down in the enlarger ?

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silvercloud2323

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Hello people,

My question for this forum is:
Should i put the 'glossy' side of my film, negative Up or Down in to the Durst Enlarger?

Thx for your replies.
 
The rule of thumb is to have the emulsion side of the film and the paper face each other. So emulsion down, base/shiny side up.
 
Also, if you don't mind some unsolicited tips, it's a good idea to clean the negative carrier first with an antistatic brush or cloth before inserting the negative.
If you've just pulled the negative from it's sleeve / envelope, after inserting it in the carrier, give it a few blasts from a bulb blower (Giottos Rocket Air Blasters are great) before inserting it in the enlarger. Some folks like to brush the negative first, but I find if the negative is already reasonably clean, then it's not necessary. I don't use canned air as I found it was too much pressure and can leave residue/condensation on the film if held too close.
If I see a dust spot on the print, I'll pull out the carrier and give the negative a few more blasts of air without removing it from the carrier. 90% of the time this does the trick. I very rarely have to recompose or refocus after putting the carrier back in the enlarger, but it doesn't hurt to check.
 
Also, if you don't mind some unsolicited tips, it's a good idea to clean the negative carrier first with an antistatic brush or cloth before inserting the negative.
If you've just pulled the negative from it's sleeve / envelope, after inserting it in the carrier, give it a few blasts from a bulb blower (Giottos Rocket Air Blasters are great) before inserting it in the enlarger. Some folks like to brush the negative first, but I find if the negative is already reasonably clean, then it's not necessary. I don't use canned air as I found it was too much pressure and can leave residue/condensation on the film if held too close.
If I see a dust spot on the print, I'll pull out the carrier and give the negative a few more blasts of air without removing it from the carrier. 90% of the time this does the trick. I very rarely have to recompose or refocus after putting the carrier back in the enlarger, but it doesn't hurt to check.

Thx JimJim...
 
Not all films have a shiny side. So, when looking at the negative in the negative carrier, it should not be reversed right-to-left. If it is reversed right-to-left, the wrong side is up. Whatever is in the negative stage will always be projected up-side-down, so you can make it upside down in the negative carrier. I actually find it easier to align verticals and horizontals when I view the upside-down image on the baseboard.
 
Last edited:
Hello people,

My question for this forum is:
Should i put the 'glossy' side of my film, negative Up or Down in to the Durst Enlarger?

Thx for your replies.

Usually, you'll want to place the shiny side uppermost in the enlarger but there is no reason you cannot reverse it for aesthetic or technical reasons if you wish.
 
Hello people,

My question for this forum is:
Should i put the 'glossy' side of my film, negative Up or Down in to the Durst Enlarger?

Thx for your replies.
A good rule of thumb is “emulsion to emulsion”
 
Hello people,

My question for this forum is:
Should i put the 'glossy' side of my film, negative Up or Down in to the Durst Enlarger?

Thx for your replies.

so that the glossy side does not touch the glass unless you have anti-Newton glass in which case it doesn't matter
 
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