Silver vs. Black Neg Carriers?

[KN4SMF]

I've been searching through negative carriers for my Beseler 45M enlarger. Most of what I see are black ones, but every so often a plain silver colored one pops up. This is the old original 45M model, with no other letters or numerals after the "M". So my question is: does it matter which? As an aside, Ive also looked over the Resistrol attachment which my 45M lacks. I see one made for a 45MCR. Will that do? but the first question is more important. Lastly, my 45M has only the original condenser lamp housing and I'm sure I could get along with no Resistrol at all. But at the price it is, and if it's correct equipment, then why not buy it? Thank you.

 

[bdial]

I've worked with both on Beseler and Omega enlargers. I've never noticed a difference, though black ones would theoretically reduce spurious reflections. Presumably they switched to making them black for a reason other than it looks cool.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

The silver (bare aluminum) ones reflect a lot of light around. They're perfectly serviceable when painted flat black, which is easy to do.

Best,

Doremus

 

[jim10219]

I don't think it would matter much. The silver ones would reflect more light, but they'll only really do it above the negative carrier, which won't have a huge impact on the print. As long as the light stays even across the negative, that's all that really matters. In a condenser head, it might make a bit of difference by adding a tiny bit of diffused light, but I doubt most people would notice. I guess it might also help if the back of your lens board was shiny, because any light reflecting off the back of that thing might bounce off the bottom of the negative carrier and create a glare in the lens.

Anyway, if you notice any issues, or have any worries, it's nothing a can of black spray paint can't fix.

 

[Eric Rose]

The black one are the "tactical" ones

 

[Sirius Glass]

The aluminum ones are easier to find in the dark. The black ones are stealthier.