Identifying Durst AR Glass

[neil poulsen]

So, I'm in a bit of a quandary. Years ago, I purchased two sheets of 10"x10" glass from the Durst graveyard in Hillsboro, Oregon. One was supposed to be regular Durst glass, and the second was marked "AR". But in comparing the two sheets of glass, reflections on all four sides look identical. However, comparing ANR Omega 4x5 glass with regular Omega 4x5 glass, reflections on one side of the ANR glass are blurry. (I'm comparing reflections of a ceiling light.)

As to my question, is it as easy to distinguish Durst AR from Durst non-AR glass as it is to distinguish Omega ANR Omega glass from Omega non-ANR glass? I'm wondering if, contrary to the labeling, I was sold two sheets of regular (non-AR) Durst glass.

I say "graveyard" above, because (I was told) this particular company had purchased all the parts, design rights, and remaining 8x10 enlargers from Durst, when Durst went out of business. It was quite something to see all of these huge 8x10 enlargers, accessories, and related equipment in one large warehouse.

[vinny]

All the AN glass i have is pretty obvious.

[ic-racer]

I have original Omega and Durst AN glass and I also have replacement glass from FPoint. In all cases, the image you see when you look through it is blurry. It is pretty obvious.
The Durst glass indicates "AN" on the package, not "AR."
I did not know Durst offered AR glass but it would be difficult to tell that from regular glass. AR glass is coated rather than pitted. I have never used AR glass, maybe you could let us know if it is any better or worse than AN. Jens has ideas on the topic: http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/glass.php

[Drew Wiley]

All true anti-newton glass will have a soft reflection on the AN side. Authentic Durst as well as Omega AN glass is an especially high quality type that has a barely perceptible wave-like pattern to it, versus just overall tiny dimpling as in generic AN glass. Both these brands of glass have a very slight green to them, just like thin float glass. They are not optically coated, though they are flatter and more optically precise than ordinary float glass. I have never had any luck substituting coated AR glass for true AN (and I have tried a lot of em!). With large format negs, I find that the generic AN glass from Focal Point works perfectly well. But when push comes to shove, like when printing little med format negs using high MFT enlarging lenses, the brand name Durst glass is less likely to reveal the AN pattern in textureless areas of a high contrast print.

[Drew Wiley]

Ooop... Freudian slip. I mean't MTF lenses, obviously. "MFT" is the designation of an equipment table I sell here during the day.

[neil poulsen]

I have original Omega and Durst AN glass and I also have replacement glass from FPoint. In all cases, the image you see when you look through it is blurry. It is pretty obvious.
The Durst glass indicates "AN" on the package, not "AR."
I did not know Durst offered AR glass but it would be difficult to tell that from regular glass. AR glass is coated rather than pitted. I have never used AR glass, maybe you could let us know if it is any better or worse than AN. Jens has ideas on the topic: http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/glass.php

Actually, the "AR" was hand written. But the "Durst" was printed in color.

[neil poulsen]

I'll look again, taking into consideration responses written here. Hopefully, what I have is the real thing. Thanks

[Ginette]

I'll look again, taking into consideration responses written here. Hopefully, what I have is the real thing. Thanks

The AR is different of the AN. See this Durst Pro lesson #13 about glass http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/resourc...#TabbedPanels1

[Tin Can]

The AR is different of the AN. See this Durst Pro lesson #13 about glass http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/resourc...#TabbedPanels1

All good advice. Thanks for sharing.

[Drew Wiley]

Durst never made an AR glass. That was coated Schott glass hypothetically being marketed by an individual. I don't know if any was actually delivered.