With the introduction of our precision coating machine, Zebra Black Glass Plates are produced to exceptionally high standards of consistency and perfection. Every plate intended for regular sale undergoes strict quality control and any plate that does not meet these standards is removed from the standard lineup.
Rather than discarding these plates, we offer them as Zebra TEST Black Glass Plates ISO 2.
These plates are fully coated with the same silver gelatine emulsion and share the same sensitivity and tonal characteristics as our standard ISO 2 plates. However, they may exhibit visible imperfections that prevent them from being sold as first-grade products. For many photographers, these artifacts will have little to no impact on testing and experimentation, while for others they provide an affordable way to explore dry plate photography without risking premium plates.
Typical imperfections may include:
- Uneven emulsion thickness
- Small scratches
- Minor areas without emulsion (usually small dots)
- Chipped corners
Zebra TEST Black Glass e Plates are especially well suited for:
- Determining correct exposure times
- Testing and comparing developers
- Practicing handling, loading, and processing Black Glass plates
- Gaining confidence with the dry plate direct positive workflow
While not intended for final exhibition work, many users will find these plates more than capable of producing meaningful images and for others, they serve exactly as intended: a practical, honest testing material.
These plates are available in all Zebra sizes that are currently in stock, selectable directly on the product page. We will update the stock weekly!
Zebra TEST Black Glass Plates ISO 2 reflect our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and supporting photographers at every stage of their dry plate journey.
