Microfading Tester International Discussion Group

 View Only

  • 1.  MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 20 days ago

    Hello!

    I have been meaning to reach out for some advice since joining the group a few months ago.

    I recently joined the at the BFI (British Film Institute) based at the BFI National Archives and, as the BFI's first scientist, my role involves setting up the first dedicated facilities for the analysis of moving image collections, MICRL, as well as looking after their impressive screen craft collections. As part of this we have just purchased a scientific‑grade Fotonowy MFT, and although I have some experience of MFT, I have not found many resources detailing the use of this technique with moving image collections. Would anyone be able to point me in the direction of MFT-IDG members (or others) who might have some experience of this?

    With thanks and very best wishes,

    Joanne

     

     

    Joanne Dyer

    Heritage Science Manager

    British Film Institute

     

    BFI, J P Getty Jr. Conservation Centre, Kingshill Way, Berkhamsted, HP4 3TP

    Telephone: +44 1442 285279

     

     


     

    The BFI’s Privacy, Cookies and Internet Advertising Policy can be found here: http://www.bfi.org.uk/privacy-policy

    The British Film Institute is governed by Royal Charter and is a charity registered in England and Wales number 287780. The contents of this e-mail are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, kindly notify the sender that you have received this message in error and immediately delete it. Unless you are the intended recipient, you may not forward this e-mail to anybody, nor make any use of its contents.



  • 2.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 19 days ago

    Hi Joanne,

    At the Royal Danish Academy - Institute of Conservation, we have assembled an MFT system that operates in transmittance mode. Our aim was to assess the lightfastness of chromogenic reversal films (colour slides).

    We were concerned that analysing these films in reflectance mode with more conventional MFT systems would not accurately reproduce the conditions under which the images are normally viewed, such as on light tables. Thomas Jacob therefore developed an MFT setup that allows us to study these materials in transmission.

    I would be happy to provide more details about the equipment and our methodology, or to arrange a conversation about the setup if that would be useful.

    Best wishes,



    ------------------------------
    Joana Silva
    Assistant Professor (Photographic Materials Conservation)
    Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademis Skoler for Arkitektur, Design og Konservering
    Copenhagen
    Denmark
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 16 days ago

    Thanks, Joana! Would love to follow up on this with you :)



    ------------------------------
    Joanne Dyer
    Heritage Science Manager
    British Film Institute
    London
    United Kingdom
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 16 days ago

    All,

    I am ALSO interested in transmittance MFT! For a while now, I have been hoping to develop one to study the light sensitivity of colored but transparent plastics. If you are willing to share this information for how you developed/modified your MFT, I would be extremely interested and grateful.

    Sincerely,

    Catherine



    ------------------------------
    Catherine H. Stephens, Ph.D.
    Sally and Michael Gordon Conservation Scientist
    Museum of Modern Art
    New York, NY USA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 15 days ago
    Hello Everyone,

    I developed the transmission mode MFT for the Danish conservation school on a tight budget with largely off the shelf kit from Thorlabs. I am happy to iterate on the design for people if there is an interest.

    The instrument is dead simple. Motion control stage to position sample between a collimating optic to collect the light and a focusing optic with z axis positioning for focusing. An old inverted microscope would be about ideal to refit for this or one can buy the bits to DIY from Thorlabs, plus a Broadcom qmini wide vis and a light source of your choice. 

    A blank substrate matching your sample is your white standard, and the rest is just transmission soectroscopy. With the Danish T-MFT the biggest challenges were related to needing a compact system, ca. 50 um spot, and coupling enough power through the small diameter fibres and the lens systems. The mightex light engine is a bit weak for the job, and so a Xe source would be needed perhaps. Or a rethink on the optics. 

    Anyway, I am happy to help out with any temas wanting to build one of these to match your need.

    Best regards,
    Jacob



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 18 days ago
    Dear Joanne,

    What an interesting, yet a bit complex , topic of interest.
    Testing materials that are transparent is rather challenging, partially due to the lack of reference to calibrate the test.
    The only colleague i am aware of who worked on similar topic ( testing transparent color material) is Bertrand Lavedrine. You may want to contact him directly .

    I am curious reading the answers/feedback from the other colleagues of the group that may complement my answer. I would be happy to further discuss with you and share some informal thinking and tips if it can be useful. So please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me.

    In any case, i wish you all my best for your work and please keep us updated about your findings as it will undoubtedly help furthering the community knowledge regarding MFT applications and limitations.

    Best regards!

    Christel





  • 7.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 16 days ago

    Thanks, Christel! Look forward to discussing with you soon.



    ------------------------------
    Joanne Dyer
    Heritage Science Manager
    British Film Institute
    London
    United Kingdom
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: MFT for Moving image collections

    Posted 18 days ago

    Hi Joanne,

    At the Royal Danish Academy - Institute of Conservation, we have assembled an MFT system that operates in transmittance mode. Our aim was to assess the lightfastness of chromogenic reversal films (colour slides).

    We were concerned that analysing these films in reflectance mode with more conventional MFT systems would not accurately reproduce the conditions under which the images are normally viewed, such as on light tables. Thomas Jacob therefore developed an MFT setup that allows us to study these materials in transmission.

    As Christel mentioned, the main challenge is that there are currently no reference materials for transparent media. Nevertheless, the system still provides a useful overview of how your material performs.

    I would be happy to provide more details about the equipment and our methodology, or to arrange a conversation about the setup if that would be useful.

    Best wishes,

    Joana 






Related Content