Disaster recovery of microfilm, microfiche, photographs, X-rays
Microfilm:
Microfilm comes in many shapes and sizes and with many different chemical composites. See Glossary of Micrographics Terms at the bottom
16mm microfilm -- microfilm, which is 16mm in width, commonly used to film office documents up to 8 1/2 by 14 inches.
16mm Roll Microfilm in a Black light tight box
35mm microfilm -- microfilm, which is 35mm in width, commonly used to film documents larger than 8 ˝ by 14 inches and often used to film archival records.
Roll Microfilm:
FPS has recovered millions of rolls of microfilm (even when it has been blocked). There are many experts who say, “ If microfilm gets wet, keep it wet”. That advice is good if you only have a few rolls and you have the luxury of putting it through a processor within the first 24 to 48 hrs. But if you do not (which is usually the rule not the exception) we recommend that you freeze it.
Wet Roll Microfilm QC Process of wet microfilm Microfilm Processor
The recovery process is tedious and time consuming. It is always advised to use a certified micrographics lab.
Microfiche:
Jacketed microfiche -- is 16mm or 35mm film strips that are sleeved in polyester jackets containing three to eight sleeves.
Microfiche -- a sheet of microfilm containing multiple images in a grid pattern.
FPS has a patented process for recovery of microfiche. The emulsion on microfilm is very absorbent and sticky. To separate fiche without loosing information is extremely difficult. We have recovered millions of microfiche with a very low rate of loss, the secret here is the same as roll film…. freeze it or in some instances keep it wet. Below are just a few of examples of microfiche.
Damaged Microfiche Jacketed Microfiche Jacketed Microfiche in Protective envelope
COM Microfiche Jacketed Microfiche Step & Repeat Microfiche AB Dick Microfiche
Aperture Cards:
Aperture card -- a card with a rectangular hole or holes specifically designed to hold a frame or frames of microfilm. Often used to store frequently accessed large format documents such as building plans.
This is type of microfilm was designed for mass distribution of large format documents. The challenge of recovering aperture cards is that the machines that produced the cards are obsolete and nearly impossible to find. We can recover them or even scan the drawings and give them back in a digital format.
16mm microfilm -- microfilm, which is 16mm in width, commonly used to film office documents up to 8 1/2 by 14 inches.
35mm microfilm -- microfilm, which is 35mm in width, commonly used to film documents larger than 8 ˝ by 14 inches and often used to film archival records.
Aperture card -- a card with a rectangular hole or holes specifically designed to hold a frame or frames of microfilm. Often used to store frequently accessed large format documents such as building plans.
Base -- polyester layer upon which the film emulsion is embedded.
Blips -- are opaque marks placed on the microfilm by the camera to mark each one of the several thousand exposures on a roll of 16mm film.
Book cradle -- equipment used to microfilm bound volumes. The cradle flattens pages to increase sharpness and reduce shadows during filming.
Camera negative -- microfilm used in a camera to produce original roll of microfilm. For permanent records the camera negative must have a silver gelatin emulsion to ensure longevity of the film. To minimize damage to the microfilm, the camera negative is only used to produce user copies of the microfilm.
C.A.R. -- computer assisted retrieval systems. An automated system that uses a database in conjunction with reading "blip" marks on each frame of 16mm microfilm to speed retrieval of documents on microfilm.
Cartridge -- is a roll of microfilm placed in a special plastic case. This form requires special retrieval equipment but does protect the microfilm from dust and fingerprints. Microfilm used in CAR systems are housed in cartridges.
Certification -- process by which the camera operator and the records custodian document that the microfilm reflects true copies of the records. Following set certification procedures ensures microfilm will be admissible in court or administrative proceedings.
Cine mode -- images arranged on microfilm with bottom of one image above the top of the next (like movie film).
COM -- computer output microfilm. Microfilm produced directly from a computer file to microfilm. COM produces high quality microfilm, often in microfiche format.
Comic mode -- images arranged on film from left to right like a comic strip.
Density -- measures the contrast between the image and the non-image background of the film.
Diazo microfilm -- microfilm used to create user copies of microfilm. This film is ideal for everyday use because of its strength and high quality image. This film has an average life expectancy of 50 years.
Document preparation -- activities that must be undertaken to prepare records for filming. Activities include physical preparation such as removing staples, unfolding etc. and intellectual preparation which includes placing records in the correct order, purging records when appropriate, producing indexes, etc.
Emulsion -- a light sensitive layer coated onto a film substrate. The microfilm images are recorded in the emulsion layer of the microfilm.
Frame numbering -- number placed by most 16mm cameras next to each image on the microfilm.
Jacketed microfiche -- is 16mm or 35mm film strips that are sleeved in polyester jackets containing three to eight sleeves.
Leader -- clear film 24 to 36 inches on the front and back of the roll of microfilm to protect the images on the film.
Methylene blue test -- SEE Residual Thiosulfate Test.
Microfiche -- a sheet of microfilm containing multiple images in a grid pattern.
Microfilm -- fine grain, high-resolution photographic film capable of recording images.
Microfilm / microfiche readers -- equipment used to read microforms and whose primary components include a lens, a light source, and a viewing screen. Microfilm is normally enlarged to original size for reading.
Microfilm / microfiche reader / printers -- equipment used to read and produce paper copies of documents from microfilm.
Micrographics -- science of recording images on microfilm.
Planetary cameras -- camera consisting of a camera head (with the film), lights, and a copy board. Documents are placed under the camera head and filmed while lying flat on the copy board.
Polarity -- microfilm has either a negative polarity (white lettering on a dark background) or a positive polarity (black lettering on a light background). Original camera film normally has a negative polarity.
Reduction ratio -- how many times a document is reduced in size during microfilming expressed as a numerical value. A reduction ratio of 24X means the document was reduced 24 times during microfilming.
Residual Thiosulfate test -- test used to measure chemical residue left on microfilm after processing.
Resolution -- measures the ability of the microfilm to record fine detail (sharpness of an image).
Resolution target -- target used to read resolution of each roll of microfilm. The target must comply with the American National Standards Institute standard published as ANSI/AIIM MS51.
Rotary camera -- a camera into which documents are fed and the documents and the film move simultaneously similarly to the way a photocopy machine operates. These cameras are used for high speed filming that produces low quality microfilm.
Serialized microforms -- microfilm where images are stored sequentially on a roll.
Specification -- a written document that details the technical requirements for a microfilming project.
Splice -- a joint made by welding two pieces of film together so they will function as a single piece when passing through a microfilm reader. Splicing is used to correct errors and should only be done in the clear leader at the beginning of the roll of film.
Target -- information microfilmed preceding or following documents to supply bibliographic or technical information.
Unitized microforms -- images are cut or created in units and are housed in jackets or are created as original microfiche. Often used in case file applications because each individual case file can be contained on one or more microfiche.
Vesicular microfilm -- microfilm used to create user copies of microfilm. This duplicating film is sometimes preferred because duplication process does not require the use of chemicals.
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