So, 4x5 glass negative holders, does the glass have to be PERFECT?

[Vick Ko]

So, 4x5 glass negative holders, does the glass have to be PERFECT?

I would anticipate that the two surfaces next to the negative has to be perfect, and not have ANY dust on it.

What about the opposite sides, which on my negative holder's glass (Durst FEMONEG) appear to be quite thick - maybe 5 millimeters.

Can there be dust or defects on the sides that are not at the negative?

Reason I ask is that one glass, and it looks like the non-AN glass, seems to have a scratch. I can't "clean it off" and it feels like a scratch to my fingernails. And this scratch is long - 3 to 5 mm long.

Thanks all in advance for your advice, as I slowly build to "making a print".

Vick

[Drew Wiley]

Just depends on how bad the scratch is and what is the depth of field of your lens at your
working f-stop. Often minor scratches on the opposite surface will not be apparent in the
print. Something opaque like significant dust is a bigger risk.

[ROL]

I have a tiny <1/16" nick/scratch on one of my glass holders, barely visible to the unaided eye. It shows up on enlargements and is one reason I use only one glass carrier. I am often restricted to one or two enlarging apertures. If the glass isn't basically flawless, you may find yourself chasing ghosts, depending on the negative.

[C. D. Keth]

Nicks may also not cause obvious flaws but may reduce local contrast by bleeding light into the shadows.