/O 7* - NASA SP-5914(02) , U^^ COPY TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES A COMPILATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Eoreword- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Atomic Energy Commission have established a Technology Utilization Program for the rapid dissemination of information on technological developments which have potential utility outside the aerospace and nuclear communities. By encouraging multiple application of the results of their research and development, NASA and AEC earn for the public an increased return on the investment in aerospace research and development programs. This publication is part of a series intended to provide such technical information. A selection has been made of methods, devices, and techniques developed in the field of photography during implementation of space and nuclear research projects. These items include many adaptations, variations, and modifications to standard hardware and practice, and should prove inter- esting to both amateur and professional photographers and photographic tech- nicians. This compilation is divided into two sections. The first section presents techniques and devices that have been found useful in making photolab work simpler, more productive, and higher in quality. Section two deals with modi- fications to and special applications for existing photographic equipment. Additional technical information on individual devices and techniques can be requested by circling the appropriate number on the Reader Service Card in- cluded in this compilation. Unless otherwise stated, NASA and AEC contemplate no patent action on the technology described. We appreciate comment by readers and welcome hearing about the relevance and utility of the information in this compilation. Technology Utilization Office National Aeronautics and Space Administration NOTICE • This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this document, or warrants that such use will be free from privately owned rights. , For sale by the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. $1.00 Contents SECTION 1. Photolab Techniques and Devices Page Photographic Print Processor 1 Linear Range of Film Developers Extended 1 Photographic Film Chip Processor 2 Diagnostic X-Ray Film Identification System: A Concept 3 Heat Writing Ideatifies Photographs 3 Slide-to-Strip Film Copying Device 4 Plastic Film Eliminates Silk Screening of Equipment Panels 4 "TUFF" Coating Applicator 5 Electro-Optical Scanning of Film 5 Film Feed and Guide for Automatic X-Ray Film Processors 6 Magazine Bimat Processor: A Concept 7 Heat-Shrinkable Tubing Prevents Corrosion of Rack Bars in X-Ray Film Processor 7 Single Projector Accommodates Slides of Different Size and Format 8 SECTION 2. Modifications and Special Purpose Applications Instant Focusing and Framing Device 9 Engine Combustion Photographic Device 10 Heated Photographic Window Prevents Condensation 11 Electroluminescent Diodes as Timing Signal Recorders in High Frame-Rate Cameras 11 Instant Copy Oscilloscope Camera Makes Quick, Quality Photographs of X-Rays 12 Small High-Intensity Flasher Permits Continuous Close-in Photography 13 Security Warning System Simultaneously Monitors up to Fifteen Remote Areas 13 Vibration Accurately Measured by Photography 15 High-Speed Camera Synchronization 15 Camera Lens Adapter Magnifies Image 16 High-Speed Pulse Camera 17 Color Values in Technical Photography 17 Fast Framing Cameras Provide High-Speed, Multichannel Data Recording 18 Page Photographic Method Measures Particle Size and Velocity in Fluid Stream 19 Surface Temperature Mapping with Infrared Photographic Pyrometry 20 Modified Cathode Ray Tube Plotter Produces Multiple Plots 21 Fluorescent Photography of Spray Droplets Using a Laser Light Source 22 Camera Mount for Close-Up Stereo Photographs 23 Ultraviolet Photographic Pyrometer Used in Combustion Analysis 24 Television Camera Eliminates Vidicon Tube 25 Two-Color Holography 25 Color-Televised Medical Microscopy 27 Fine-Line Sensitivity for Holographic Interferograms 28 Section 1: Photolab Techniques and Devices PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT PROCESSOR A photographic print processor converts nega- copies from a single negative at a rate of tives to enlarged, dry, positive prints with approximately three per minute. The gray tone professional quality and high resolution (better range of the finished prints is adjustable to than 100 lines per mm). The processor is compensate for varying negative densities. capable of automatically producing multiple Optical elements (see fig.) direct the light Filter from the source through the negative and onto Light Tight Shield the image plane. The photosensitive paper is stepped through the image plane to a cutter, Control developer, and dryer, and on to an external Panel receiving tray. Those elements shown on the right side of the processor are separated from Fi Iter those on the left side by a light-tight shield, Light and the paper roll is contained within a separate Source light-tight housing. This permits the processor to be operated and serviced in a daylight en- vironment. Source: P. Epstein and R. F. Santucci of Electronic Image Systems Corp. under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center (GSC-11073) Enlarged Print Circle I on Reader Service Card. LINEAR RANGE OF FILM DEVELOPERS EXTENDED A combination of developer chemicals has ex- spectrum obtained by illuminating an optical tended the linear range of recorded information square wave (Ronchi ruling) with laser light. on photographic film. The recorded brightness Since standard methods were used to record range of a Ronchi ruling on exposed film the low-brightness orders, considerable "over- was used to conduct a controlled experiment that exposure" was necessary, causing "burn in" of produced repeatable results. Initial experiments the high brightness orders. Conversely, an ex- demonstrated a capability of recording subjects posure set to record the high brightness orders with a brightness range in excess of 15,000:1. Re- resulted in the loss of the lower orders. Rather sults indicated that a much greater brightness than use a multi-layer film or plate (such as range could be accurately recorded, but that X-ray which exhibits poor resolution, or ex- limitations in the equipment used prevented tended-range film which requires color process- carrying the experiment further. ing), a low-gamma developer was formulated for The brightness range (15,000:1) was encoun- use with conventional, single-layer emulsion tered while recording the spatial frequency laboratory plates. SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES Transmittance Opacity 0.025% 4000 0.040% 2500 Saturation Level 0.063%- 1600 Shoulder 0.10%- 1000 0.16%- 630 0.25% 400 Typical <n 0.40%- 250 Characteristic i Curve 0.63%- 160 o 1.0%- 100 2 1.6%- 63 2.5% 40 4.0% 25 6.3% 16 10% 10 16% 6.3 25% 4.0 40% 2.5 63% 1.6 Base Density 100% J 1.0 0 b 1 2 3 0 = D = Iog100 Log ) Exposure E D = logifj1/T 1( D = - Exposure = Intensity x Time E = (Meter-Candle-Seconds) The maximum density of photographic emul- sions is on the order of 2.5 to 3.5 (see fig.). In Source: O.G.Turner of order to record a 1,000:1 exposure brightness Lockheed Electronics Co. range within an emulsion density range of from under contract to 0.3 to 2.3 (base fog level and top of linear Goddard Space Flight Center portion of curve, respectively), the gamma must (GSC-10632) not be greater than 0.67. [2/3 = (density range)/ (log 10 exposure range)]. Circle 2 on Reader Service Card. PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM CHIP PROCESSOR An automatic, self-contained, versatile proc- be loaded, operated, and serviced in daylight. essor separately develops and drys individual The processor (see fig.) includes four major sub- photographic negatives or film chips, and can systems: a film magazine and cutter assembly, ransport Processing Module Transport Front View Back View KriOlOLAB IbCHNiyilhS AND UhVIChS a processing bath, a film chip transport, and the chip to a second transport that feeds it into a dryer. The dryer subsystem is contained in the dryer. In the dryer, heated air is blown an upper compartment, and the remaining sub- through nozzles and over the chip's emulsion systems in lower compartments that are light surface at an angle that scrubs the moisture tight from one another and from the dryer. from the emulsion. The chip, suspended by its During processor operation, film in the maga- edges, passes through the dryer between O-rings zine is guided past an image plane where the that expose successive edge portions so that the desired exposure is made and the chip is chip emerges entirely dry and without curl separated by the cutter. The chip transport as it falls into an output tray. carries the chip up to the processing bath module Source: P. Epstein, G. Donovan, where the chip is held between polyurethane and E. LaWhiteof belts which pass it through the processing and Electronic Image Systems Corp. rinsing baths. Between the baths, the film is under contract to passed through wringers that remove any excess Goddard Space Flight Center solution and isolate one process solution from (GSC-11074) the next. The last wringer in the line delivers Circle 3 on Reader Service Card. DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY FILM IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM: A CONCEPT A proposed concept would have a small switch positions is an advantage over previous area of an X-ray film holder masked with an practice in which it is necessary to remove a X-ray opaque substance, with several small carrier, physically change the rather large computer-type alphameric readout modules lead numbers, and then replace the carrier. mounted in the machine frame. These modules The proposed concept, in high production, could be preset to any alphameric combination multiple patient situations, relieves the operator by a set of switches external to the equipment. of the need to enter and adjust the equipment When the "dark-slide" is removed from for each patient.