What To Know About Your Microfilm
From the late ‘60s though early 90’s microfilm was a primary printing and storage tool for records management.
There are 3 microfilm formats
16mm roll film
Microfiche a flat sheet of film, 4” x 6”. Random access. Each fiche can be an individual file or part of a series.
Cards
for specialized uses.
Originals
The original or master is the silver based media created by filming the original paper document.
To be the storage media and master for future duplication.
The best version for scanning.
Duplicates
Copy of original on Diazo or Vesicular film.
The working copy, so the master can be stored.
At least one generation removed from original.
- The stated reduction value is nominal
- Higher reduction decreases image quality
- Over 90% of film is in the 24 – 42x range
- A factor in 16mm and fiche, not the same scale for 35