Using the Cartridge Microfilm Machine

 

Cartridge microfilms are permanently mounted in a small plastic box.  Our collection includes only a few such items and, as such, we only have one machine to read and print cartridge microfilm.  This machine is located on the far right of the three machines facing out the window in the sixth floor Media Center.  Cartridge microfilm may be either positive or negative.  The machine uses ScreenScan equipment to print; when printing, follow the manual instructions for using and troubleshooting ScreenScan found in the section “Microfilm/fiche Printing Tips and Troubleshooting.”

 

 

Using the Cartridge Microfilm Machine

 

  1. Turn on the machine.

 

  1. Insert the cartridge open-side first into the slot on the left-hand side of the film carrier.

 

  1. The machine will try to thread the film automatically three times.  If the film does not load, try the following steps:

 

a.   Check whether the lever directly behind the cartridge loader is in the down position.  If not, lower the lever and try loading the film.

 

b.   If the cartridge still will not load, the film can be hand-threaded into the film carrier and manually wound onto the take-up reel.  When using this method, the advance and rewind knob will not function unless the counter is set to “0”.  To reset the counter, turn the machine off and—holding down the button next to the counter—back on.  Continue holding down the button until the counter reads “0”.

 

  1. The knob directly below the screen advances and rewinds the film.  If this knob does not function, try the counter reset instructions listed in step 3b.  Another knob on the film carrier moves the film more slowly to allow centering of the image.  A lever below the film carrier moves the film up and down on the screen.

 

  1. Adjust zoom and focus using the controls located on the compound lens.

 

 

  1. When finished, rewind the film into the cartridge and press the lever on the back left side of the machine to eject the cartridge.  Be sure to rewind the film all the way!  Ejecting the film without rewinding it properly will leave the end of the film stuck in the machine.  Make certain that every patron seen using the machine knows how to rewind the film correctly.  Experience has shown that not everyone understands the need to rewind the film before ejecting.