Micrographics 101
CRAC STAFF
WORKSHOP
IMAGING
MARCH 15, 2011
DISCLAIMER / WARNING
This is a training workshop, but local practices do
vary from county to county according to local
policy and practice as well as local county counsel
opinions.
No practice or procedure you become aware of
as a result of this workshop should be
implemented in your own office without the full
AWARENESS and APPROVAL of the County
Clerk or Recorder for whom you work.
Microfilm Formats
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Roll - 16mm and 35mm
Cartridges
Microfiche - Jackets
Microfiche - Step & Repeat
Computer Output Microfilm
(COM)
Aperture Cards
Microfilm Types
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Silver Halide
 Camera
Negative
 Silver Duplicate
 Acetate Base - LE100
 Polyester Base - LE500
 Suitable for “Archival” Storage
Microfilm Types
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Diazo
 Duplicating
Film used for making same
polarity “working” copies
 Processed using Ammonia
 Not Suitable for “Archival” Storage
 Comes in Black, Blue-Black & Blue
Colors
Microfilm Types
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Vesicular
 Duplicating
Film used for making
reverse polarity “working” copies
 Not Suitable for “Archival”
Storage
 Comes in various colors
Silver Halide
Microfilm Processing
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Requires a film processor with toxic
chemicals
Polysulfide Toning will increase
resistance to redox
Processing needs to be monitored for
quality
 Consistent
Density
 Scratches, Water Spots
 Regular Methylene Blue Testing
Storage Conditions
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“Archival” Enclosures
 Plastic
Boxes - pure polypropylene or
polyethylene
 Acid-free, lignin-free paper boxes
 ISO 18902:2001 - (formerly ANSI/AIIM
9.2-1991)
Storage Conditions
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Climate Control
 Temperature
- 70º F or LESS
 Humidity 30-35% RH
 Minimal variation within a 24 hour period
- 5%
 ISO 18911:2000
Storage Conditions
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Pollution
 Formaldehyde
- carpeting, insulation,
synthetic fabrics
 Ozone – smog, copiers, laser printers
 Peroxide - breakdown of paper fibers
(Lignin) by acids
Microfilm Degradation
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Redox
 Appears
as red spots or silver “sheen” on
the emulsion side of the film
 Most commonly caused by Peroxide gas
released from low quality microfilm
boxes
 Can also be cause by atmospheric
pollutants listed above
 Effects both Acetate and Polyester Films
 Removing the source of the oxidant will
halt the problem, but it can’t be cured
 Prevention is the key
Microfilm Degradation Redox Photos
Microfilm Degradation
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Vinegar Syndrome
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Affects Acetate base film only - Polyester film is
immune.
Acetate film stored properly should last 100 years
before the onset of symptoms.
Acetate base degrades with time, temperature and
humidity - releasing Acetic Acid which causes the
base to shrink and warp.
Higher temperature and humidity will accelerate
the process. Once the Vinegar smell begins,
colder temperature/lower humidity will slow down
the process but it is irreversible. The only solution
is to make a silver duplicate on polyester film
before the damage becomes too great.
Microfilm Degradation Vinegar Syndrome Photos
Microfilm Generations
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Camera Negative - 1st Generation readable looking at base of the film
2nd Generation - duplicate made from
the Camera Negative - readable
looking at the emulsion side of the
film
3rd Generation - duplicate made from
the 2nd Generation - readable looking
at the base of the film
etc.
Silver Halide
Microfilm Structure
From Keeping the Legacy of Trust by Robert Breslawski Eastman Kodak Company
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“Older” microfilm has an acetate base
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“Newer” microfilm has a polyester base
How to determine the
emulsion side
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The emulsion side of the film is duller than
the base side
Look at a dark section the film in reflected
light and compare the two sides
If you can’t tell which is the dull side:
 Lip Test - emulsion side will stick to your
lip, the base won’t
 Scratch Test - a deep scratch on the
emulsion side will remove the emulsion
(do this far away from any images,
please!!!!)
Film Polarity
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Negative - white letters on a
black background
Positive - black letters on a
white/clear background
Photostats - see the next slide
there isn’t enough room on
this one!!
Photostats - the original
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The original “photocopy” process
A full-size photographic reproduction
of the original document
It was a “wet processed” photographic
negative
The original document was returned to
the owner. The Official Record was a
photographic, negative paper copy white letters on a black background
Photostat of an Official
Record Document
Photostats microfilmed
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By definition, “normally” processed
microfilm is a “negative” copy of the
document that was filmed (“original”)
However, in this case, the “original”
was a “negative”
A negative of a negative is a positive -2 X -2 = +4
So microfilmed photostats are
“negatives” that appear “positive”
Got it??
Film Examples
Negative film - note
the film is clear between
the frames
Positive film - note
the film is black between
the frames
Photostats - documents
appear positive, but the
film is clear between
the frames
Final Thoughts
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Always handle film by the edges and
wear gloves
Camera negative film should never be
used as a “working copy”
Camera negative film should be stored
in a secure, climate controlled vault
Camera negative film should be stored
in proper “Archival” boxes
Don’t put camera negative film in
cartridges
Do you know where your film is?