ANALYSIS OF IMPROVEMENTS IN FILM HANDLING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05707A000300040006-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 11, 2013
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: April 3, 1962
• Content Type: REPORT

50X1
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tori t 137'
?
April 50 1962
Deer Gene:
Wendell asked that we provide some information we might
have on possible -development items to be included in the FY 63
Budget. In addition, in view of recent complaints* it is probably
wise to indicate areas Where quality and output can be improved
to help smiler questions that may arise.
We, therefore, have drawn together the attQehed summary
of where we atand and where we think improvements might be made
or undertaken,
I em sending a copy or this to Wendell to provide backup
for the FY 63 Budget and am enclosing an extra copy for you with
the thought that Pete S. might be interested in a thumbnail sketch
of the situation.
ELO/MDG
cc: WPV
CFH
EJB-
ABS
JIB
E. Le O.
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L.
;hal
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April 3t1962
Analysis of
Improvements in Film Handling
The outstanding characteristics of the trend in aerial
reconnaissance aret
1. Constantly (and drastically) increasing volume of
original photography. This is being accomplished
both by mon sees in the footage per Mission and
by an increased number of successful missions per
unit time,
2. Continued emphasis on increased information content
per unit area of original film.
3. These two factors require more and more analysts to
exploit the material Which in turn dictate more copies
of the Original material.
Consequently, the volume of processing and reproduction
Work is large and growing:much larger from day to day. Paradox-
Scatty, this Increase in volume is attended not only by a require-
ment for greater speed in delivery but by a demand for the greatest
fidelity in the reproductions? These two requirements, speed. and
quality, are not normally compatible except with multiplying the
number of machines and the number of operators. It takes only
money, although substantial amounts may be involved, to provide
sufficient machines and facilities. Film processing and repro-
duction, while capable of being automated to some degree* will
always depend very largely on the skill And training of the
individual Operator. Such skilled people are, at is true in so
many instances, in short supply and they cannot be trained in a
short time. Ergo, it appears axiomatic that we must concentrate
our efforts on speeding up our machines, improving quality, re-
ducing physical defects, combining operations. etc.* so as to
reduce the .need for manpower or at leant minimize the amount of
increased manpower to handle the increased. loads.
We summarize below the more important areas on which
emphasis should be placed and will elaborate on each item in an
appendix:
1. Better physical facilities to provide closer
atmosphere control and redOce dirt,
26 'Improved moods of processing original negative
films to retain latent imagery, compensate for
exposure errors, reduce distortions, etc.
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3. improved duplicating processors particularly an
regards speed and_reduction of physical damage.
Doubling the speed of a duplicating machine it, as
a rough example* worth About $150,000 per year
in terms of labor, burden and facility cost.
4 Construction of reversal preeestort to minimiee
losses in printing successive generations,
5. Development of high speed printers utilizing one
or more methods of exposure control to compensate
for errors of exposure or of development of the
original negative.
6. Development of high quality reduction systems to
ease the storage problems of the intelligence
community. Such problems will be greatly maga
nified by the previously mentioned trend toward
large velume.
7. Improved control equipment for the rapid and
accurate analysis of large volumes of Slime.
8. Provide image enhantement systems to assist the
P.I. in extracting the maximum information from
the films.
9. Provide "latensification" methods it practical
form to assist in extending the photographic
"season" particularly in northern latitudes.
10. Develop equipment to Speed up and ease P. I.
analysis of large volumes of filM.
11. Provide faster and more eeonomical, intents
of manpower, methods of accomplishing the many
auxiliary functions required in reproduction
such as titling, waxing, lacquering and
cleaning.
Following in Appendix 1 is a more detailed discussion of
each of the above categories. In Appendix II is an E.O.M. coat
estimate for each item. Except where indicated otherwise the costs
cover the design, development, and the fabrication of one proto-
type or engineering model, It is recognised that the proposed
expenditures of $71700,000 are perhaps in excess of both funding
capability and our ability to engineer. Further investigation ?
will undoUbtedly indicate areas of redundancy or where the re-
sults will not justify the cost,
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Appendix I
Discussion of Possible Improvements
in Film Handling
1. Better Ph steal Facilities. The present facility was designated
in late i955 to have a life of one year. PUrthermors, by todayts
standards, the expected photography was both large scale and low
resolution. Today and, more importantly, in the future, atmos-
pheric dust and dirt from the surroundings and equipment will
be intolerable in introducing loss Of information and degra!
dation of the product. It is proposed that the entire facility
be moved to a building or buildings more adapted to the control
of such dirt and that the facility be reconstructed utilizing
? techniques to minimize both? dirt formation and cleaning problems.
2. improved Negative Processors. The present negative protessors
were
ad?ed, because of schedule limitations, tram existing
equipment. The development technique selected was adequate
Jot' the large scale photography with slowly changing levels of
illumination then in use. Today the systems utilize small
scale photography with rapidly changing light levels. There-
fore, emphasis must be placed on developing controls capable
Of analyzing this small scale photography and directing ad-
ditional development:
Among the various "new" methods of processing film are such
techniques as web, viscous, static, and vapor development:
While each gives indications of offering some improvement
in retention or enhancement of available imagery, none have
been tried on wide widths and long continuoue lengths, It is
suggested that the beat approach be determined and that an
experimental machine be constructed.
The intelligence community is insisting more and more on
their duplicates containing all of the information on the
Original, Generally speaking, this requires that every du-
plicate be made from the original with the resultant pos-
sibility of wear and tear on this valuable property. One way
of minimizing such damage would be to lacquer and lubricate
the original film: To minimize handling damage, reduce time
and conserve manpower, it seems logical to perform this opera-
tion while the negative is still on the processing machine.
Therefore, this provision Should be a part or the next processor.
Compounded by many factors such as world tension, high volume,
frequent missions, limited manpower, etc; there la a desire
for quick reporting on the superficial aspects of each mission.
This reporting cannot be. done from the original negative with-
out the possibility of degrading it. A duplicate tales time
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? to maki and holds up distribution both of the flash report end
of the multiple copies to the community. it ie considered pos-
sible to combine a printer and duplicating processor with the
negative Bo that a positive transparencywould be available in
a matter of minutes after the negative macs processed.
3. improved Duplicating Processors. The present duplicating machines
available to ,this project illustrate the "Tepee principle at its
worst. They are three in number and each one is constructed in
different fashion, each has its own idiosyncrecles, and each has
been modified innumerable times to keep up with physical and
sensitometric requirements. They started out at 10 fpm and now
run at 29 fpm on certain products. We are currently processor
limited in terms of output.
It is proposed that all three be replaced with three identical
machines incorporating every known principle of reducing damage
and achieving uniformity and at the same time aim at an output
? speed of 50to 60 fpm each. At the same time, to combine opera-
tions and reduce damage in subsequent handling, we would add
waxers to these machines.
Reversal PrOceasors. Recent tests on the protcitype reversal
proceasor indicate that considerable improvement in retention
of original information Is possible when preparing duplicate
negatives directly from the original negative instead of by
the conventional method of printing and processing a duplicate
positive and then making a. duplicate negative from this positive.
Should extensive evaluation by the users, such as WIC, Corrob-
orate this finding, it is considered essential that reversal
processors be provided. Further improvements in techniques may
also make it possible to prepare duplicate positives from such
duplicate negatives of quality comparable to those new prepared
from the original negative. An extension of this technique
might also result in reversal processing of the original nega-
tive so that the positives retain their status of second gen-
eration prints.
Speed Printers incorporatine exponure control* Present
performance printers either do not provide for automatic
control of exposure (ours) or achieve exposure control and
dodging at the expense of speed (Log-E-Tronics).' Even with
the latter printers, it is doubtful if the concept 'will
adequately handle the projected scales and resolutions. it
is believed possible, by combining what we know now of film
transports, cleaning methods, light sources and scanning and
control techniques, to provide printers of nuch improved per-
formance. With the increased volume and increased dependence
on duplicates, such printers are a necessity.
6. Reduction Systems. With the advent or auch large volumes of
photographs,." the storage problems of various sectors of the
community Will become acute, The anticipated resolution and
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information content of the photography does not lend itself to
the 20 to 1 reduction rates of Minicard and other systems, but
the development of thigh performance 3.5 or U. to 1 continuous
reducing printer would permit the collapsing of the required
storage space by a fatter of 10 to 15 without sacrifice of the
convenience of the original roll format. Other parts of the
"system" such as viewers, enlargers sand processors need no
development except modification to "marry" them to the require-
ments*
7. - roved Control Equipment. One of the more critical operations
n reproduction it the analysis of the original negative
to determine future operations. This is largely a densitometer
technique and there are several Current approaches none of which
are suited to largo volume small scale photography. it is pro-
posed that a high scanning speed indicating and recording micro-
densitometer be developed utilizing and combining known techniques
modified by the requirements*
Analysis of sine wave response is an extremely useful tool in
determining the performance of a eystem or any of its components.
Currently, however, the reduction of such data to interpretable
restate is so laborious and time consuming as to limit the use
of the teehnique to predicting performance Or the analysis of
a few specified conditions rather than for day to day moni-
toring. it is proposed that effort be placed on simplifying
and mechanizing much of these operations.
8.Image Enhancement* With reduced contrast, reduced stale,
increased magnification and the like!, the P.S. requires all
the assistance he can obtain in the recognition, identification
and measurement of what images are available* Methods of locally
enhancing images are available and Utilized by the various labo-
ratories, but the required volume Of this work will shortly make
the methods too laborious to be of satisfactory use* Then, also,
under present conditions one must know what areas need image
enhancement. in many cases this is impossible to determine. it
is' therefore, necessary to develovmethods of large quantity
image enhancement as Well as more rapid and more perfect en-
hancement of selected treas.
9. Latenaification. "Speed" of optical systems will always be
limited Sy the weight and performance capabilities of the
vehicle* Speed and small grain (resolving) capabilities of
film will always be mutually competing* Consequently, there
is always less "available light" than is desired for the
practical lens-film-vehicle combinations. One possible solu-
tion is to latensify or intensify the latent Images after
exposure* Such a technique is available in the laboratory
and it Is necessary Only te reduCe it to large volume practice.
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10. Equipment for Pa* Analysis. Much of the equipment in this
field nes EFEn--TiVelopeu in sporadic and spasmodic Mallon
Influenced by both the immediate netde and the offerings Of
manufacturera. Consequently, there are redundant items as
well as gaps in filling the requirements of preterit ayetems.
And future systems premise to provide even more preblems.
It is thought that there should be a thorough analysis of
what is available and a comprehensive prediction of what is
roeUlred. As examples we believe conaideratien should be
given to high Speed continuous enlarging printers, to bring
resolUtiOn doWn to useable levels and to methods of pros
viding "quick" enlargements for immediate use, The recoms
tendations should cover not only what Is needed in the way
of physieal equipment, but what can be done to simplify the
Pa& load. For here, again, We are rapidly reaching the
bottom or the manpower barrel.
11. Auxiliary Equipment. The auxiliary or "dry-handling' equip-
ment in use in our laboratory today. While considered the best
available, has many shortcomings particularly in the fields of
output and utilization of manpower. This situation has arisen
because the need for specific items of equipment has been
recognized at separate intervals. Furthermore? each operation
was one never attempted before at this magnitude and development
proceeded Slowly and cautiously. The time has come to examine
all of these operations, improve them, automate them when pos-
sible, combine them and speed thetaup.
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Appendix II
R.O.M. Costs
Improvements in Film Handling
1.
2.
Better physical Facilities
$ 100,000
4000000
150,000
600,000
$ 2,500,000
1,250,000
Improved Negative Processors
A. Control System
EL New methods
C. Lasquering
D. Combined Processor
Printer-Processor
3,
IhprOved Duplicating Processors
(3)
8001000
4.
reversal .:Duplicating Processors
(2)
60olodo
5.
High,Speed:Printers (2)
350,000
6.
Reduction Printer
300,000
1.
Improved control Equipment
350,000
A. Densitometer
250,000
B. Sine Wave Response
100,000
Simplification
8,
Image_Enhancement
2500000
8,
Latenslfication
loot000
10,
P..r. E4412ment
600i000
11.
Auxilisry_EquipmentA2 sets)
600000
R.O.M. Total
$ 7,7000000
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Nit
"Mee
Dear Ed:
April 240 1962
? This is a reiteration and enlargement of message number
4189 sent you today and deals with the information desired for
TAB A of JO report. It should be emphasized that the figures not
only are R.O.M., but to some extent they will be dependent on how
closely we can If weld11 or"marry" to the other Installation which
you are aware. This is particularly true of line item (a) and
.true to a lesser degree of line item (b). Line item (d), on the
other hand) is not affected by interrelationship.
FY 62. n6, n64
(i) Establish Processing Facility $500000 $1,950,000 $500,000
(b) Provide New Equipment:
Negative Processor (1) 10,000 300,000 90,000
Duplicating Processors (3) 20,000 500,000 800000
Reversal Processors (2) 400,000 250,000
Printers (2) 10,000 240,000
Reduction Printer 50,000 250,000
Auxiliary Equipment 20.000 350,000 2300000
(c) Staff As required by operations.
(d) Development:
Negative Processing 20,000 100,000 630,000
Control Equipment 100,000 350,000
Image Enhancement 100,000 320,000
Latensification 100,000 100,000
2.1, Aids. . 20010 400,000
.... 0
Totals $1300000 $4,390,000 $3,2000000
The estimated expenditures for FY 62, while small, should
not be disregarded. These represent engineering* design, and pre-
liminary development studies and will gain us time if they can be
started in FY 62. Therefore, if you can authorize immediately the
expenditure of $130,000 or any major fraction thereof* we can start
now and save two months. Until we do some of this type of work, we
will be unable to provide any closer estimates.
ELOADG
Orig. 2 cc t.P.
cc: A.B.S.
J.L.B.
E. L. G.
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