Microfilming Procedureswith Kim Smith (aka Microfilm Whisperer)

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Why Microfilm? Life Expectance 500 years (LE-500) Save storage space Even technology changes, you can still

view the microfilm

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At RMC MRD-2 planetary camera for

newspapers Step test for each newspaper title Use Fujifilm Store Newspaper master, 2nd Generation

(silver dup), and service copy Our microfilm is Silver Negatives, not

Positive Test weekly Methelyn Blue Test

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Microfilm Procedures 1. Step test2. Microfilm3. Process4. Inspect5. Duplicate

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Wait, Hold The Phone!Before you start, there are 3 things to consider and make decision.1. Reduction ratio – 10X to 20X2. Film type – 100ft (thick) or 131ft (thin)3. Lot number

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Step Test Select a few test pages from the volume Film them at different density settings

Targets: 100, 102 Newspapers: 100, 102, 104 – 116

ss118, 120, 124 – 128 Take density readings from the processed

film Select the proper light density settings Microfilm

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Step Test – Selecting Pages Variety of sizes Different background shades Choose from beginning, middle and the end

of the volume

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Step Test – Result

Density readings from step test

Density setting on camera head

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

2

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Loading a film

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Microfilm – Step Test Place the white poster board on the

copyboard

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Microfilm – Step Test Mark the lit boarder with a pencil.

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Microfilm – Step Test Place the step test pages from light to dark

background shade to film at different light density settings

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Microfilm – Step Test Load a short roll of microfilm. Turned off the room lights. Place the density target and 5 resolution

cards to microfilm. Filming in increments of 2 starting with

100, 102, 104, etc. and repeat steps for document.

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Microfilm – Step Test

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Microfilm – Step Test

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Microfilm – Step Test The processor reviews the step test and

gives the camera operator the best light density settings for each image.

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Microfilm – Newspapers Once the step test is processed without any

issues, the camera operator microfilms the newspapers with the selected light density settings.

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Guidelines – Content Decision on what content should be on a

roll How many months, issues, years and titles

are grouped on one roll. For example, you don’t want to combine a

single issue for 1889 on the same roll as 1890 issues. If there are no other issues for that year then and only then would you combine a single issue from a different year. Think like a researcher and be consistent.

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Guidelines – Cini vs. Comic Decision on the direction of film should be

on a rollTo

p

Top

Top

Top

Top

Cini

Top Top Top Top

Comic

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Guidelines – 10x? 20x? Decision on the reduction ratio

As the reduction ratio is increased, the smaller the print will be on the reader.

If the newspaper is older or in bad condition, the lower reduction will be used when possible. This will increase the size of the print making it easier to read.

If the newspaper is newer or in good condition, any reduction or direction of filming can be used as long as the document is in focus and centered.

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Guidelines – Copyboard Consistency of placing documents on

copyboard

Make sure there is always at least 1 to 1½ inch border around the documents.

Finder light illumination area

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Guidelines – Targets Targets provide information about the

source documents and conditions during filming. Bibliography “Bib” target Content target Missing issues/pages target Courtesy target Roll number target: 12.xx.xx and 200.xx.xx

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Camera Parts

Copyboard

Exposure button

Focus dial and lock

Reduction hand crank and brake

Exposure lighting,Finder light switch

Light exposure dial

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Camera Parts

Lift and hold the brake level while turning the hand crank.

Turn the hand crank clockwise will move the camera head up.

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Microfilm Whisperer Said… Step test – Sample pages with varying

background shades from lightest to darkest and smallest to largest are pulled from the beginning, middle and end of the newspaper for step test.

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Microfilm Whisperer Said… Load a roll of film – the camera is loaded

with 35mm microfilm with correct reduction, mask size and direction of filming.

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Microfilm Whisperer Said… Microfilm!