Microfilming Procedures with Kim Smith (aka Microfilm Whisperer)

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 roll

Top

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!