Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free: AG Photographic The Imaging Warehouse Process Supplies RH Designs Second-hand Darkroom Supplies |
> Microwave prints |
*** Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks *** |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Microwave prints
A new way of printing? NO.
A quick way of drying test prints? Yes and for what reason to check dry down tones. Ansel Adams used to use this method to check tones when he had a print run to do. He would produce two identical prints, leave one in the wash tank and put the other in the micro, then compare them side by side and if need be alter his timings. The one thing he would not do is use this for his final fb prints he did not trust it enough. I was surprised to read this but does make sense if you need to keep things moving. Has anyone used this method?
__________________
Mitch http://photomi7ch.blogspot.com/ If you eliminate the impossible whatever remains no matter how improbable must be the truth. |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
I've not used the method myself as I'd be concerned about damaging the oven. I would certainly put a cup of water in with the print so the oven has a bit of load to work with - you're always warned not to run a microwave empty, and one test strip ain't much of a load for it!
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
I've done this. Take care because if you have the power up too high the test strips catch fire. Been there done that.
They dry to very high gloss and curl like crazy. You need a big microwave to be able to layout a full size print. |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
|
#5
|
||||
|
||||
I dry down small strips this way, especially if doing calibration tests. Never had any problems.
Steve |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
I used to microwave test strips
Unfortunately, I found that the prints continued to suffer the "dry down" effect for several days after it came out of the microwave oven - so the results were close but not exact. I now use the Les McLean dry down compensation technique for FB - which is a piece of cake if you have a RH StopClock Pro - as it does all the maths for you. For RC, I just knock off a 1/12 of a stop from the final wet print exposure. Martin |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
The benefit of calculating the dry down factor is that you need only do it once every year to check that the manufacturer has not changed the characteristics of the paper. Thereafter, you simply apply the dry down factor for the paper you are using and you have the final print without messing with the microwave every time you make a print. Another factor to take into account when using the microwave is that some papers are warmer in tone when speed dried.
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Interesting, I normaly microwave my colour chemicals to bring them up to tempreture. But I've not tried it on test strips yet.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Here's a tip: If you find ash in the oven; reduce the time slightly.
|
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Hahaha, that's what happen to my popadoms last night!
|
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free: AG Photographic The Imaging Warehouse Process Supplies RH Designs Second-hand Darkroom Supplies |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Do digital, colour or black and white, prints sell better than darkroom prints. | Mark Burley | Business Matters | 51 | 20th September 2013 02:47 PM |
proof prints | Alan Clark | Monochrome printing techniques | 10 | 24th February 2010 10:41 PM |
Steaming Prints | Victor Krag | Photography in general | 18 | 15th January 2010 02:36 PM |
my first FB prints | darkclassical | Monochrome printing techniques | 13 | 13th November 2009 01:01 PM |
So, what do you do with your prints? | wiesmier | Photography in general | 26 | 20th September 2009 06:55 AM |