Test Prints & Microwave

[buze]

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]

Ive done it for years, and microwaves are cheap.

 

[buze]

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

Thanks I'll give it a go..

 

[juan]

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

 

[sanking]

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]

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]

A hairdryer work good also and is portable

 

[dslater]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.