Long-term preservation of digital images on color microfilm

For the long-term archiving of digital images, a laser film recorder is being developed. It images color microphotographs on unperforated 35mm silver-dye bleach material in high resolution (pixel- size 3 micrometers). The goal of the archiving process is to achieve a precise colorimetric reproduction. However, color gamut and dynamic range of the photo-material used is relatively small. Consequently, an "archival colorimetric transform" has been developed. Its purpose is to record a maximum of the original's information on the microfilm, using adequate gamut compression based on sensitometric measurements of the photographic material. A modified IT8 scanner target is also recorded on the microfilm as a reference for the reconstruction of the archived color information.