DIY negative carrier?

[Sherrie Kuehlein]

I have been told it is possible to make a 35mm full-frame negative carrier by sandwiching two pieces of matte board together and cutting an appropriately sized hole in the middle. Has anyone tried this? Or anything else that has worked? I have a Beseler 23C enlarger, and the list price for the full-frame 35mm neg. carrier is $125 Canadian. I'm looking for an option which might be more frugal, but I don't really want to compromise on quality (ie. sharp edge), so I'll spend the money if I have to, but I thought I'd check for other ideas first.

Thanks!

[BWGirl]

I know many people have cut their own negative carriers and applied tape to the cut border to make it smooth. The other option is to check out ebay or similar. They sometimes have things like that for a song! I got a recessed lens board for my Beseler for $10 USD on ebay!

Jeanette

[juan]

I made a 2x3 adapter to fit inside my 4x5 carrier by developing two sheets of 4x5 film with the lights on (in a tray) fixing and washing, then cutting the correct size hole with an X-acto knife, then gluing one edge of the sandwich together. I'm sure you could do something similar with mat board or some type of plastic. It may be even easier with 35mm because you won't have to be so exact with the edges of the hole - the 35mm sprocket holes are wider than the borders on a sheet of 2x3 film.
juan

[Jim Moore]

I made a 2x3 adapter to fit inside my 4x5 carrier by developing two sheets of 4x5 film with the lights on (in a tray) fixing and washing, then cutting the correct size hole with an X-acto knife, then gluing one edge of the sandwich together.

That's a very good tip Juan!

[noblebeast]

Hi Sherrie,

I have an extra, well-used but totally functional full frame 35mm neg carrier for the Beseler 23C that needs a good home. It's yours for the cost of shipping - PM me if you are interested.

Joe

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, Sherrie,

I'll second the comments above. Since you're using a Beseler, you have a real advantage over some other enlargers: the carriers are simple and flat so they can be made of almost anything which is sturdy enough to hold the negatives and is workable with easily available tools.

I've found that 1/8" tempered Masonite works very well. It's cheap, usually available in small two by two foot sheets at home centers, and is easily sawed and drilled by common wood-working tools. Be sure to get the tempered kind, because the standard kind leaves rough, "fuzzy" edges when cut and drilled.

All that said, it may be almost as economical to do as Jeanette suggests and pick up used carriers from E-Bay; there are usually various Beseler carriers listed, and, like other darkroom equipment, they often go for bargain prices.

Konical

[ann]

we have done this many times. If you are good at cutting windows the sharp edge should be no problem, or even if you don't. use a very sharp blade and metal straight edge.

As suggested also check ebay, they are available all the time. Try to get the old version as it is better made.

[thedancefloor]

Since you're using a Beseler, you have a real advantage over some other enlargers: the carriers are simple and flat so they can be made of almost anything which is sturdy enough to hold the negatives and is workable with easily available tools.

Good Gravy! I just realized that I have enough materials just kickin' around to make a DIY carrier from AN glass I used for scanning, and a chunk of glass I was able to remove from another carrier! Why didn't I think of this? Thank you!

Dallas

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Here's one on Ebay. Looks like here's a bunch.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beseler-23C-...efaultDomain_0

[Rick A]

You can make a mask to use on a larger carrier or on a piece of glass.