negative carrier

Definition: Component of enlarger, scanner or other device using film: it grips the film at the edges to avoid scratching the image, holds it flat and parallel to the lens plane or scanning array. Flat-earth? Fat hope. In fact, there are very precious few negative carriers that really hold the film flat -- and these use two plates of glass which also do an excellent job of holding dust and fluff at just the right distance from the lens. The best ever was Leitz's design using just one glass plate but that works only for small film formats. Some scanners get round the problem by continuously varying focus as they scan: but your piggy-bank had better be fat and full if you want one of these.

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