Dear printers, despite using anti-Newton top glass in my Omega D-5 condenser head, I am still get frustrating Newton rings. I just read a one year old thread that suggested contacting Beattie to have a sheet of multicoated bottom glass custom made to fit my 4x5 glass carrier. Anyone else have experience with this method?

I am also interested in hearing any other solutions you may have success with such as that "neg-flat"? carrier made by Zone VI or Anti-Newton sprays, etc. Detailed info would be nice since I plan to solve this problem using your help. Thank you very much. Andre Noble

-- Andre Noble (andrenoble@usa.net), December 24, 2000

Answers

Andre, I've had the same problem and I solved it by using an anti-newton glass on the bottom has well. Now this may not work with all AN glasses, it didn't with a Meopta enlarger, this produced an image of the texture of the AN glass. But I've used this method successfully with both Durst and now my DeVere.

The problem seems to only occur with film with a "shiny" emulsion surface, eg. Agfapan, Delta, T-Max. I think it's worth giving it ago, if it dosn't work you've just got a spare AN glass without going to too much expense. Good luck,

-- Trevor Crone (trevor.crone@uk.dreamcast.com), December 24, 2000.

Zone VI's "Neg-a-flat" is actually an old idea. They made the carrier adjustable for film thinckness and marketed it better. B&J and others have made simpler versions in the past. I have two I got at various camera store "Fire Sales". IMHO they work quite well, but I have no experience with the Zone VI product.

Beseler makes a clamping carrier that I have seen but never used - I could never afford one - even used they are expensive. The one I saw looked like it would do a better job - but it was only available in 4 X 5.

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), December 24, 2000.

You are putting the base (shiny) side of the negative against the anti-newton glass, right?

-- Brian Ellis (bellis60@earthlink.net), December 25, 2000.

Sean, Trevor thanks for reply will try Anti Newton glass on the bottom glass too. Yes, Brian, I did have AN glass on the shiny (top) side. Since I was using Ilford Delta 100 4x5 film when getting an rings,presumed it was coming from bottom side, but I may be wrong about that. Andre

-- Andre Noble (andrenoble@usa.net), December 25, 2000.

I`ve often had similar problems, try raising or lowering the humidity in your darkroom. Steve Clark

-- Steve Clark (agno3@eesc.com), December 25, 2000.