Anti-Newton Ring Glass Carriers are now available as an upgrade option. Many modern thin emulsion films, such as Kodak T-Max, are sometimes prone to Newton ring problems when using clear glass carriers. Some "sandwich" masking techniques, such as Highlight Masks, Contrast Reduction Masks and Unsharp Masks can also increase the chance of Newton rings appearing in skies and other smooth areas of the print. These new Anti-Newton Ring carriers are made with special high quality single-side acid etched glass (both top piece and bottom piece), reducing or eliminating the possibility of Newton Rings. These upgraded carriers will yield beatiful, finely detailed crisp images without impairing the sharpness and smoothness of the image in any way, regardless of the degree of enlargement. Absolutely NO texture whatsoever will show on the print, regardless of the degree of enlargement. Furthermore, they can be used for making masks as well *. These upgraded carriers are available in both standard and complete systems (see table below) for an additional cost of $60. If you prefer, you can choose clear glass for the bottom glass and Anti-Newton glass for the top glass, at the same cost as the complete Anti-Newton version. Simply order the Anti-Newton version and add a comment to request clear bottom glass.

* Anti-Newton Ring carriers are perfect for use in all cold-light or diffusion light enlargers. For mask making with Anti-Newton Ring Carriers, a sheet of Duratrans (textureless) diffusion material should be used under the top sheet of glass in the carrier. All Anti-Newton Ring Carriers come with a punched 5" x 5" sheet of Duratrans diffusion material specifically for this purpose as well as an instruction sheet explaining how to use these carriers for making masks. For condenser light heads, we recommend using the clear glass carrier version instead of the Anti-Newton Ring version.

MASKING WITH THE PRECISION PIN-REGISTRATION CARRIER SYSTEM
			Leader strips are only taped to the extreme clear edge of your original negative (not the mask!) using non-residue, non-drying red lithographers tape. This tape is easily removable if desired, leaving no residue. It can remain attached to your original negatives for decades without adverse archival effects and without becoming brittle. This also means that the Precision Carrier System allows printing of your entire 4x5 negative (subject only to the limitations of your enlarger light source) and it means your original negatives are NEVER PUNCHED or subjected to potential damage. The images shown here are rotated 180 degrees for illustration purposes. When inserted directly into the enlarger, the image will be projected right-side up.
Example of original 4x5 negative with punched leader strip attached. Original negatives are NEVER PUNCHED with this system.	Example of SCIM mask made from an interpositive (on punched 5x5 sheet of litho film cut down from a 5x7 sheet).		Masks are made using the actual glass carrier as a contact printer placed on the enlarger baseboard. A separate pin-registration contact printer is not needed!
			Oversize litho film is recommended for all kinds of photographic masks including unsharp masking (camera films can be used if desired for unsharp masking, but litho film works exceedingly well). This means registration holes can be punched directly in the masking film prior to making the mask without the need to attach leader strips to the mask. The large pin size results in more precise registration compared to smaller pins - even after decades of use. In this example, 5x7 sheets of litho film are used for the masks and then cut down to an appropriate size after developing and drying. Litho film is extremely cost effective, easy to work with and easy to obtain.
Example of type 1 Fog Mask made from original negative (on punched sheet of 5x5 litho film cut down from a 5x7 sheet).	Example of typical CRM made from original negative (on punched sheet of 5x5 litho film cut down from a 5x7 sheet).		Detailed procedures for making and using these masks and many others are included in the Contrast Masking Kit (available separately or bundled with the "Complete" Precision carrier system).

More details of the Precision Carrier System

Photographers using the excellent but very expensive Condit registration systems (no longer available) will find this system is easier and faster to use, particularly when replacing negatives or masks in the glass carrier - even in total darkness! This system is far more efficient (and many photographers say more accurate) at a price far less. Also, the former Condit systems cropped into the edge of a full 4x5 negative making it impossible to print any of the image at the edge of the film.

A major benefit to the Precision system is that your original negatives are never punched (the former Condit system required punching your original negatives). Only a leader strip of scrap film, taped to the extreme edge of your original negative using red lithographers tape, is punched. This actually facilitates handling of your original negatives and allows all masks to be stored separately from (not taped to) your original negatives. Leader strips are never taped to photographic masks. Masks are made using oversized litho films and are punched directly, before making the mask. If desired, camera films can be used for making unsharp masks but litho film works exceeding well and can be used under red safelights.

The Precision Carrier System is currently available for 4x5 and smaller film formats only. Although designed expressly for 4x5 enlargers, they may also fit many smaller enlargers. Please note that film formats smaller than 4x5 are easily accommodated by this system. Complete and standard systems come with full instructions for use and adjustment as well as a solid foam base to facilitate mask-making. Photographers who purchase the complete Precision Carrier System can still make excellent use of the registration pins included with the Contrast Masking Kit. The pins can be used for all paper-plane masking techniques, or they can be taped to a light table for use in other masking work, such as hand-made dodge/burn masks.

Upgraded versions of both Complete and Standard systems include a Precision Anti-Newton Ring Carrier for an additional cost of $60. This represents the ultimate in pin-registration printing with masks. If you prefer, you can choose clear glass for the bottom glass and Anti-Newton glass for the top glass, at the same cost as the complete Anti-Newton version. Simply order the Anti-Newton version and add a comment to request clear bottom glass.

The Precision Carrier System has been tested by photographers on the following enlargers, and found to be just as precise on each: Saunders 4x5 (all models), Omega 4x5 (all models), Beseler 4x5 (all models), Durst 4x5 and Zone VI 4x5. Photographers have also reported that the system works perfectly on Zone VI 5x7 enlargers as well.

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* The extra set of registration pins that normally come with the Contrast Masking Kit are not included in the Contrast Masking Kit that is bundled with the Complete system, since registration pins are already attached to the glass carrier. All other Contrast Masking Kit items are identical to purchasing the Contrast Masking Kit separately.