Test Prints & Microwave

buze · Dec 21, 2006

Is it detrimental to dry test prints in the microwave ? I'm trying narrow down proper exposition after the "dry down" period for my vandykes, and I read somewhere about how to quick-dry paper in a microwave..

I've been wondering if it's either potentially damaging for the microwave, or if I'll never reach my goal that way anyway...

Otherwise it sounds like a great time saver

Sportera · Dec 21, 2006

Ive done it for years, and microwaves are cheap.

buze · Dec 21, 2006

My wive has large, dangerous looking frying pans in that kitchen you know

Thanks I'll give it a go..

juan · Dec 21, 2006

Ansel did it. I've done it for more than 20-years.
juan

sanking · Dec 21, 2006

buze said:
Is it detrimental to dry test prints in the microwave ? I'm trying narrow down proper exposition after the "dry down" period for my vandykes, and I read somewhere about how to quick-dry paper in a microwave..

I've been wondering if it's either potentially damaging for the microwave, or if I'll never reach my goal that way anyway...

Otherwise it sounds like a great time saver

I do it. My wife hates it.

So I try to do it when she will not notice.

Sandy

buze · Dec 21, 2006

I tried it it works great. 1:30 minutes and it's "cooked" ! The paper is nowhere near flat but heck... I can see the final tones...

Thanks guys!

kjsphoto · Dec 21, 2006

A hairdryer work good also and is portable

dslater · Dec 21, 2006

I've done it and it does indeed work well. I'm always sure to put my test print on a paper plate to avoid contaminating the microwave with photochemicals.

Gay Larson · Dec 21, 2006

I bought a small microwave at Home Depot for about $40 or $50 just for my darkroom. That way I don't have to run upstairs to see how my test pieces dry down. Works great.

Dan Henderson · Dec 22, 2006

I bought a used one for $20 at a yard sale for my darkroom. Sure takes the guesswork out of drydown. Since they are still fixer contaminated I would not use one in a micro that is also used for food preparation. Only danger I can see is setting it for too long and setting the paper on fire!

Gay Larson · Dec 27, 2006

FirePhoto said:
I bought a used one for $20 at a yard sale for my darkroom. Sure takes the guesswork out of drydown. Since they are still fixer contaminated I would not use one in a micro that is also used for food preparation. Only danger I can see is setting it for too long and setting the paper on fire!

I've scorched a couple!!

donbga · Dec 28, 2006

buze said:
Is it detrimental to dry test prints in the microwave ? I'm trying narrow down proper exposition after the "dry down" period for my vandykes, and I read somewhere about how to quick-dry paper in a microwave..

I've been wondering if it's either potentially damaging for the microwave, or if I'll never reach my goal that way anyway...

Otherwise it sounds like a great time saver

I've used the microwave to dry test prints for many years. However it's my observation that there is a very slight difference in the appearence in the highlights of prints that are air dried and ones that are dried in the microwave. As a result I make only final judgements on prints that have air dried.

Test Prints & Microwave

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