Standard roll microfilm is either 16mm or 35mm wide (105mm roll is also widely used during the production of microfiche, but it is cut into individual A6 size sheets before use)
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16mm roll film is ideal for recording most office documentation, but a larger image is desirable for recording fine detail of large originals such as maps, plans, newspapers and engineering drawings. 35mm film is generally used for such applications either in roll form or as individual images set into aperture cards
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Image retrieval from 16mm roll film frequently relies on counting small marks (blips) filmed below the images.
Microfilm Jackets
Somewhat similar in appearance to microfiche, but differing in application, the microfilm jacket comprises rows of images cut from roll film and held in a carrier, which is usually A6 in size.
Each jacket consists of two sheets of thin clear plastic cemented or welded together at intervals to produce channels into which strips, or even single frames, of 16 or 35mm roll film can be inserted.
Because additional frames can be added at any time the system is particularly suitable for files such as customer records – a separate jacket being allocated to each customer. Combined jackets, holding both 16mm and 35mm widths also exist.