NEGATIVE CARRIER GLASS

[leve]

Hi there, since long ago, I wonder why I find so much information about quality image provided by great lenses in both cameras and enlarger..., but almost no comments regarding how glass on the negative carrier can affect the quality of the print. I assume it should affect since the glass is focused or close to focus (it is in contact with the negative), and on the other hand the image is going through the glass anyway....
Is this an issue then or am I missing something in my "reasoning"???
kindest regards from Spain,
Jesús

 

[cliveh]

I think you will find this is already a well discussed issue. I am of the glassless school, but others will disagree.

 

[richard ide]

The glass available today (float glass) is such high quality that unless there are visible defects, it is not an issue. If yu order select quality, it should be flaw free. The only product better is optical flat quality. I had a high precision enlarger and the negative carrier used 2 sheets 10" x 10" x 1/4". They cost several thousand dollars each.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Nobody uses "ordinary" glass for their camera lenses. You can hypotheticall use all kinds of special of types of glass for your negative carrier too, including optically flat coated stock. But a simplified
approach to the problem would be to see what someone like Focal Point already offers. They can
fit most enlargers. And as you might have already guessed, I'm one of those people who always uses a glass carrier.

 

[Leigh B]

I use anti-Newtonian glass for 4x5.

- Leigh

 

[leve]

Thanks so much everybody for the information. I never thought of the filter glass but it is a great option, with my negative carrier it will help very much to keep the negs flat.