Negatrans is just a transport mechanism, does a little better holding negs
flat that the standard carrier since the edges are in intimate contact with
the rubber drive band. Beseler also makes (made) a Negaflat for 4x5, great
for holding 4x5 negs flat but very format specific (originally made for film
pack?) and could tear up the edges of your 4x5 negatives.

--
darkroommike

----------
"Nick Zentena" wrote in message
...
Phil Glaser wrote:


So here are my questions.

First, does the Beseler "heat absorbing glass" (Beseler # 8042) occupy
the space in the filter drawer where the filter frame itself goes? If
so, how would I use my VC filters? Having shelled out some odd $20 for
those filters, I am loathe to have to buy below-the-lens filters.

On top of the glass? My bigger Beseler has a sheet of glass put into
the
filter slot. That way the filter doesn't fall down the hole-) Obviously it
helps to keep things dust free. Or pretty close to it.


Second, can anyone share their experience in using Beseler universal
glass negative carriers (either the plain 8074 or anti-Newton 8072)? I
find this option very intriguing for a couple of reasons. I plan to


Looking at the pictures this is just a normal glass carrier. It's the
max
size your enlarger will take. I've use a 4x5 one masked off for smaller
formats. Or for strips of negatives. If you're willing to make up some
simple masks [mat board nothing fancy needed] then it works fine.


start doing medium format sometime in the not-to-distant future, and
have limited space in my closet darkroom. The idea of having a
one-size-fits all carrier appeals to me. Also, my reading of the
archvies on this topic is that a glass carrier is the only sure-fire
solution to the popping problem because even with the heat-absorbing


I think the design of the enlarger must play into how much heat is
created. I don't get any popping with any sort of carrier. It's not
because
I'm doing anything special so it must be the enlarger.



Finally, since it's going to take me a bit of time to make this
decision and/or convince my wife of why I'm spending more for an
enlarger accessory than I spent for the enlarger itself, I am looking
for interim solutions. One suggestion I saw was to tightly tape the
negative to the carrier so as to stretch it out. Any other ideas?


Buy it used. Maybe consider the negtrans [I think that's the name]. It
pulls the negative taut. Also buy it used. Buy some thick glass from the
glass shop and slip it into the enlarger. Maybe that will cut the heat
down
enough. Wait until the negative pops before you focus. Pick which ever one
works for you.

Nick