Devere 5108 - Understanding the Master Negative Carrier System

[xvelids]

Hey all,

Recently posted a thread about my saunders 4500-II, but I also own a DeVere 5108. I've gotten it up and running, but could use a little primer on the master carrier system.

- What's the standard in using the master carrier system for a 4x5? It's the 5108 8x10 Master Negative Carrier --> Inside that is the 4x5 Holder --> Inside that is the 4x5 stainless frame --> Within the stainless frame, would a. 4x5 negative just lay here, taped down? b. lay on a single sheet of AN glass c. sandwiched between two sheets of AN glass

- I'm curious what everyone's approach is and what is optimal for print quality?
- Furthermore, I'm attaching three sets of unidentified negative carriers...would you guys happen to know what enlargers these are for? I might have an old Devere 504 head sitting around along with Devere 8x10 horizontal enlarger so I'm curious if these may go to a different head as opposed to my 5108.

- Lastly, in terms of contrast control for Ilford papers on the Devere Dichroic Color Head, do you guys usually stick with Durst settings or Kodak settings?

I look forward to hearing from you all! Thanks for reading.

[interneg]

De Vere heads comply with the Kodak colour system, rather than Durst's interpretation. If you get bored you can look up some of Kodak's old paper data sheets (G24 for example) which showed various enlarger systems' relative grade performance. If in doubt, run a few tests.

The 5108 adapter frame essentially uses standard glass/ aluminium inserts from the 504 - so you can use the AN or glassless 4x5 frames. Have you actually put a piece of 4x5 in it? It's really obvious where everything goes if you do. You also need to make sure that you have installed the top and bottom 4x5 inserts.

Those other parts look like they came from a horizontal De Vere - they don't resemble the 504 or 5108 carriers.

[Luis-F-S]

None of those carriers look like the 5108 carriers I have. I'm posing some shots of the carrier from my computer, I'll post some shots of the carriers with inserts when I get home. I'm also attaching the carrier combinations from the manual which shows what is available. Also, there is no stainless frame, it's all aluminum. There also is no Master Carrier System for 8x10.

[Luis-F-S]

The 5108 Negative Carrier, Code 2007 with an 8x10 negative.



With the code 2009 4x5 adapter in lieu of glass with the code 1913 6x6 mask



The code 2008 13 x 18 cm was discontinued, use the 8x10 glass and use an external mask down to 5x7.

The Code 2009 4x5 adapter with a 4x5 negativeon the glass carrier.

[xvelids]

Thanks for getting back to me! This is the carrier I have: I also have this insert negative mask: This is the negative mask inside the 4x5 insert inside the master negative carrier.

My question - and again thanks for your help - if I wanted to use the AN glass, would it go straight into the initial 4x5 carrier? My assumption is that the black insert negative mask is to create a glassless negative carrier for 4x5. Let me know, thanks!

[interneg]

You're missing the top half of the 2009 adapter. Without that, you're going to have problems using the inserts as intended.

[xvelids]

Understood! This is a real shame. It seems difficult to source and purchase a 2009 adapter...Out of curiosity, would a 504 negative carrier work instead or does that only fit the 504 heads? I see one available on eBay. Outside of that, I presume I could use 8x10 AN glass and place the 4x5 negative inside and use the masking blades on the head crop the projected image?

[interneg]

The 504 carrier would fall into the bellows of the 5108.

You could try Odyssey Sales (the successor to De Vere) - they might have part 2009 on the shelf - possibly even new production. Not going to be cheap.

The other solution is to get replacement inserts cut that do away with the 2009 etc entirely. How many formats are you trying to handle - and which ones do you need all-glass, and which ones glassless?

[bob carnie]

I have two Devere's the 11 x 14 and now a mint 5 x 7 , I must say the negative stage in these types of enlargers are the weak point. Due to Covid I have not done a lot of enlarger work so I need to sort out both enlargers for inserts and things and may have some questions later this fall here. I have never used the 5 x 7 other than recently as a flash enlarger for some lith contact prints I have been doing. I use the 11 x 14 all the time for contact prints which seem to be very popular.

[Luis-F-S]

Do you have both halves of the 2009 adapter plate? If not, you'll have to find one new or used. The 504 carrier cannot be used on the 5108!