I just received a Beseler heat absorbing glass I bought online. part#8042,
I noticed that the glass has a bunch of surface scratches dead center, and 2 deeper nicks.
Would these affect the light at all.? Should I return it.?
Thanks
I would. Back in the day, Elwood enlargers used up to 4 layers of normal window glass as heat glass, they claimed in 1938 that it worked better in layers.
Very easy to try and it's what I use in my Elwoods.
Just cut up a piece of frame glass from Home Depot, $3, I use the same glass to make GG so I keep a stock of it. Sometimes I even frame a print...
Simple answer : TEST!
Negative carrier empty. Highest contrast grade. Adjust exposure for middle gray. One with, one without the suspect heat filter. Do you see a difference? MUCH easier for you than for people on a forum given a one-line dscription of the condition of the filter.